But Husayn (as) was inviting the people...

But Husayn (as) was inviting the people, from the first day, to sacrifice their lives and blood without attaching any hopes of immediate political and military gains from it. This is a singular factor that distinguishes his uprising from other movements, and his type of speech from other political speeches. To be aware of this peculiarity it is important to understand the uprising of Husayn (as).

Ubaydullah ibn al-Hur al-Ju'fi was not aware of this fact although he was not among those who were fighting Husayn (as). When the latter sought his support Ubaydullah declined and gave excuses saying: 'Of what use is my support for you since I did not leave in Kufa anyone ready to help you? I adjure you by God, do not impose this affair on me, for I am not ready to die.

However, you can take this horse of mine al-Mulhiqah , [the one which overtakes] for I never pursued anybody while I rode it but outstripped them. Take it, it is yours.' Husayn (as) replied: "If you prefer your soul to us we are in no need of your horse.”[^2] If al-Ju'fi had grasped what Husayn (as) was requesting from him he would not have presented his horse instead of his life and blood.

Ubaydullah ibn al-Hurr al-Ju'fi was not part of the official and declared opposition to Husayn (as), rather he desired not to meet him lest he embarrassed him by seeking his support. When the Imam actually sought Ubaydullah's support he betrayed him giving some excuses. He is counted among those who failed to support the Imam and not among those who fought him. Later he regretted his lack of participation but it was of no avail. 2- 'Who Will Sacrifice?

This question asks the people to offer their lives and blood consciously and by choice.He did not want it to be a sort of extortion nor was he the type who would deceive the people into laying down their lives and blood. Husayn (as) insisted on this issue in an amazing way, since the time he left Hijaz until the time he met his death in Karbala together with his family and companions.

On more than one occasion he permitted his comrades and his family to leave, and relieved them of their duty of allegiance to him. The last time the Imam offered them the chance to leave and freed them of their allegiance to him was the night before the tenth of Muharram when he gathered them at his place and, with characteristic clarity and candour, he said: "I am giving you permission to go, all of you, you are under no covenant of mine.