The story of Karbala’ begins with the birth of Husayn.

The story of Karbala’ begins with the birth of Husayn. The Holy Prophet had shown affection and love for his grandson as any grandfather should show,but there was something more positive and profound in this love. Several times when Husayn entered the mosque as a small child the Holy Prophet will put him in his lap and tell his companions that this is Husayn, look at him and remember him.

The Prophet’s insistence to remember Husayn shows that those who will forget this event will cause trouble in Islam. It was just seven years of his life with his grandfather that the Holy Prophet died and soon after,Husayn’s mother Hazrat Fatima (sa) also died.. The next 25 years of his life in Madinah was with his father ‘Ali,his brother Hasan and many other brothers and sisters in the family. He grew up to be loved by the companions of the Holy Prophet.

During the period of 2nd Khilafat-e-Rasheda, Omar Ibne Khattab had always shown his love and respect for Husayn. Whenever Husayn entered the mosque, the Caliph would let him sit beside him and tell the companions to listen to what this young man says. They all valued his advice even at that young age. His main activity in Madinah was to see that the people there know true Islam.

He also managed the Trust set up by his father, to help the poor of the city by giving them food and many necessities of life. This was the true Islamic Welfare State in progress where every hungry mouth must have food, every naked person must have clothes and a shelter over his head.

Apart from administering the Trust set up by his father ‘Ali (as) , Husayn's (as) main occupation during these 25 years in Madina was to teach the newly converted Muslims real Islam through the Qur’an and Sunnah of the Prophet. He has performed Hajj 24 times during this period. He has also travelled to Yemen and most of the southern part of Hejaz and Najd. It is clear that he did not take any part in any of the expeditions by the Muslim forces under the directions of the three Kholafa.

After the death of the 3rd Caliph Osman, Husain’s father ‘Ali (as) was compelled by the people of Madinah overwhelmingly to take the reigns of power. ‘Ali (as) was reluctant and waited for three days before accepting the mantle of worldly power along with the authority of Imamah. (see life of Imam ‘Ali ) (as) . Circumstances changed rapidly and within the first 6 month of ‘Ali’s Khilafat he had to leave Madinah for Basra and the battle of Jamal took place.