Imam then told me, “Bend your water skin.

Imam then told me, “Bend your water skin.” I could not understand what to do, when Imam himself arose and lifted the water skin, I drank from it and gave my Horse to drink too.[^1] Hurr had come from Qadsiyyah, where Ubaydullah bin Ziyad had designated Haseen bin Nameer to be there on guard. Then he dispatched Hurr bin Yazid with a thousand soldiers towards Imam Husayn (a.s.).

Hurr remained facing the Imam until the time of Zuhr Prayers, and Imam commanded Hajjaj bin Masrooq to give the call for Prayers (Azan). (Irshad) At the time of Iqamah Imam came out wearing a shirt, cloak and shoes. He praised and glorified Allah and said, “O people! I did not come to you until I re­ceived your letters and messengers urging me to come to you, for you had no Imam and you desired that Allah may unite you through me towards (the path of) guidance and truth.

Then if you adhere to your promises, I have come to you, thus admit your (promises) of covenants and testimonies so that I may find relief. While if you do not agree to it and despise my arrival, I shall go away to where I came from.” No one from them replied, then Imam asked the Muezzin to recite the Iqamah.

When the Muezzin did so, Imam Husayn (a.s.) turned towards Hurr and said, “If you desire, you may recite the Prayers with your companions.” Hurr replied, “No, but we wish to Pray while you lead it.” Then Imam lead the Prayers and they followed him. After the Prayers Imam returned to his tent and his companions gathered around him.

Hurr also went to the tent, which his companions had pitched for him, and a group of his companions sat around him, while others went into their ranks and pulling the reins of their Horses closer, sat under it’s shade. When the time of Asr came, Imam commanded his companions to ready them­selves to leave and they conceded. Then he commended his muezzin to say the Azan and Iqamah, which he did. Imam was again urged to lead the Prayers, which he did.

He recited the salutations and turned towards them. He praised and glorified Allah and said, “Now then! O people! If you fear Allah and you recognize the dues of the rightful, Allah will be pleased with you. And we are the Household of Muhammad (S), and hold more authority upon this matter (the Caliphate) than those who claim it. They have sown the seeds of oppression and enmity amongst you.