I tried to convince them but they are so immersed in...

I tried to convince them but they are so immersed in misguidance and obsessed with greed that they cannot set aside their evil intentions. They will not rest till they have killed me and seen me rolling around in my blood. O sister, I advise you to patiently endure the forthcoming troubles. My grandfather the Holy Prophet had told me of my martyrdom, and his foretellings cannot be untrue." Imam Husayn's [a.s.] party reached Karbala on the second of Muharram.

But the supporters that had originally invited him to Kufa were no longer his to command. Having got wind of their intentions, Yazid appointed Ibn Ziyad, governor of Kufa, to carry out orders to subvert their plans, and this they had achieved successfully. With the Imam's following cunningly eliminated, forces were sent to meet him near Karbala. The tents were pitched and at night Imam Husayn [a.s.] sat cleaning his sword and reciting couplets forecasting his doom.

His son Zayn ul-Abidin [a.s.] listened quietly but in sorrow. When Zaynab [a.s.] heard him she could not restrain her tears. She went to her brother and prayed that death would overtake her. Imam Husayn [a.s.] urged her not to let Shaytan deprive her of her power of fortitude. She asked whether she might be killed in his place, and when she heard his negative reply she fainted. When she came to, her brother said, "Everything is mortal. The final word lies with Allah and to Him is the return.

My father and grandfather were better men than I but where are they now? Their example is the standard for me and for all Muslims." So saying he bade her be patient and not to weep over his death or shed tears or beat her cheeks. He then took her to the tent of his son Ali Zayn ul-Abidin [a.s.] and left her there. But Zaynab [a.s.] was not to be consoled, and from this time came to be known as Baakiyah (one who weeps).

On the eve of the tenth day of Muharram, Imam Husayn [a.s.] addressed his followers, the Ansar and the Bani Hashim. It had become clear that this was to be a battle unto death. He therefore released them from any obligation to remain by his side, and let them know that no grudge would be held against them were they to turn away from the coming decisive battle and return to safety. There was now no doubt about the slaughter that was to come.