Hussain ordered him.

Hussain ordered him. to ask them for water for the children. Abbas approached the enemy, preached and warned them of the wrath of the Almighty but to no avail! He shouted as high as he could, "0 son of Sa'ad! This is Hussain the son of the daughter of the Prophet. You have killed members of his family and companions." "All what is left are his womenfolk and children who are thirsty. Quench their thirst with water for they may die of it".

He, nevertheless, was pleading with them to let Imam Hussain and what was left of his household to leave Hijaz for the land of the Romans or the Indians. His words found sympathy with some of the crowd so much so that they cried. But ash-Shimr shouted, "0 son of Abu Turab (one of Imam Ali's titles)!

Even if the whole of the earth's surface were awash and we were in control, we would have never allowed you access to it, unless you pledge allegiance to Yazid." * Left my bank my honoured guests* * Swamped was I by the swarm of pests.* * Shorn of the honour; I was robbed* * Wept through waves, through swells I sobbed.* * Lamented my ripples, my flow did wail,* * Inherit I did, thus, a dolorous tale.* * Water, my guests were refused, en bloc,* * Agonised I was, distraught, with shock.* * This torrid zone and simmering land,* * None (sans water) could stand* * Capture me if not they did* * To counter the foe's obnoxious bid* * if access to me they didn't attempt* * Die of thirst they will, it meant."* Abbas returned to his brother Hussain to advise him how the enemy were adamant not to give them water.

In the meantime, he heard the children crying of thirst. He could not take it any more; his Hashimite ardour left him no room for manoeuver nor more forbearance, He took the skin water container with the intention of bringing water. He was surrounded by some 4,000 troops who shot at him with their arrows. He did not fear their multitudes. The standard hoisted over his head, He started attacking them causing them to flee in front of him.

His gallantry used to remind them of his father, Imam Ali who used to annihilate brave and formidable foes in the battlefield. Thus, they did not stand their ground in the face of his determined and ferocious attacks. He managed to reach the waterline of the River Euphrates with fortitude. He took a handful of water to drink whereupon he remembered the thirst of Imam Hussain and those who were with him. He threw the water away choosing not to drink out of empathy with his kinship. Previous…