When Imam Hussein (a.

When Imam Hussein (a.s.) had addressed them he told that if they did not like him he was prepared to turn back toward Hijaz, al-Hurr bin Yazid al-Riyahi said: "We are commissioned to follow you until we take you to Ibn Ziyad." Imam Hussein (a.s.) replied: "You will find your death easier than that." Imam Hussein (a.s.) and his followers left the place with Hurr travelling parallel but at a distance. When Imam Hussein (a.s.) attempted to return to Medina, Hurr blocked his path.

Hurr then said: "I have not been ordered to fight with you. I have to follow you until you reach Kufa. If you do not want to go to Kufa then I suggest to you to go towards a station which is neither Kufa nor Medina." Imam Hussein (a.s.) considered this a fair proposal and turned his caravan to the left of the road which ran between Qadsiyyah and Azib. Hurr marched along parallel to Imam Hussein (a.s.) While marching, the two spoke.

Hurr said: "I appeal to you in the name of Allah to avoid battle because you are bound to be killed." Imam Hussein (a.s.) retorted: "Do you think you can frighten me with death? Could a worse disaster befall you than killing me? I can only say to you what the pother of al-Aws said to his cousin when he wanted to help the Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.).

His cousin feared for him and said: 'Where are you going, you will be killed.' But he replied: 'I will depart, for there is no shame for a young man whenever he intends to do what is right and fight like a Muslim. He who soothes righteous men through the sacrifice of his life, has partied with the cursed and opposed the criminal. If I live, I will not regret what I have done, and if I die, I will not be blamed.

Let it be enough for you to live in humiliation and be reviled.'" Al-Hurr gave up all hope of persuading Imam Hussein (a.s.) to go to Kufa, so he kept a good distance between the two armies. Imam Hussein (a.s.) continued his journey to the target he desired to reach. The Ummayyad army kept the other army under surveillance. The two armies reached a village called Nainawa. At it a messenger sent by Ubaidullah bin Ziyad, arrived and delivered a message to Hurr.

The message read: "When this letter of mine arrives and my messenger comes to you, force Hussein to a halt. But only let him stop in an open place, without vegetation or water. I have ordered my messenger to stay with you and not take his leave until he pings the news of your carrying out my instructions.