Have you not heard the words common amidst you that the...

Have you not heard the words common amidst you that the Messenger of Allah (S) said to me and my brother: ‘These [two] are the lords of the youths of Paradise?’ If you believe in what I am saying, [then know that] it is the truth, for, by Allah, I never thought of lying since I learnt that Allah hated the liars and that he punishes the one who lies. [But] if you regard it as a lie, then there are among you those who, if you asked them about it, would inform you [that the Prophet (S) had said so].

Ask Jabir bin ‘Abdillah al-Ansari[^9], or Abu Sa’id al-Khudhri[^10], or Sahl bin Sa‘d al-Sa’idi[^11], or Zayd bin Arqam[^12], or Anas bin Malik[^13] and they will inform you that they have heard this statement from the Prophet of Allah (S) concerning myself and my brother.

Is there not [sufficient] in this to prevent you shedding my blood?!” Shamir bin Dhi al-Jaushan said: “Whoever understands what you are saying is [indeed] worshipping Allah on the fringe.”[^14] So Habib bin MuZahir said to him: “By Allah, I think you are worshipping Allah on seventy edges.

I testify that you are right, you do not understand what he is saying; for indeed Allah has sealed your heart [from the truth].” Al-Husayn (as) then told them: “If you are in any doubt about this, then are you going to doubt what I am going to say after this? Am I not the son of the daughter of your Prophet? By Allah, there is no son of the daughter of a prophet, between the East and the West, other than me; neither from among you, nor from other than you.

I, only, am the son of the daughter of your Prophet. Now tell me, are you seeking retribution from me for one of your dead whom I have killed, or for property [of yours] which I expropriated, or are you seeking retaliation for a wound [which I have inflicted on one of you]?” [They remained silent and] did not say anything to him. Then he called out: “O Shabath bin Rib’i, O Hajjar bin Abjar, O Qais bin al-Ash’ath, O Yazid bin Harith!

Did you not write to me [saying]: ‘The fruits have ripened, the gardens have grown green and the water spots have been filled. You are only coming to an army which has been prepared for you. So come’?” They replied: “We did not!”[^15] So he said [with amazement]: “Glory be to Allah! Indeed, by Allah you did so.” Then he said: “O people!

[Now] that you dislike me, let me go away from you to a secured place on this earth.” So Qais bin al-Ash’ath said to him: “Will you not submit to the authority of the sons of your uncle [i.e.