Shimr replied, “O sons of my sister!

Shimr replied, “O sons of my sister! You are guaranteed security.” They replied, “Woe be upon you and your security! You offer us security while the son of the Prophet is devoid of it”? (Malhoof) In another narration it is quoted that Hazrat Abbas (a.s.) called out in a loud voice, “May your hands be amputated! What an evil security you have brought for us. O enemy of Allah!

Do you desire that we should betray our brother and master Imam Husayn (a.s.) and obey the accursed sons of accursed fathers”? Umar bin Sa’ad then addressed his army saying, “Arise, O army of Allah! Thus have glad tidings of Paradise.” Then all the people mounted, and after the Prayer of Asr proceeded to attack Imam Husayn (a.s.).

(Kamil) It is related from Imam Ja’far as Sadiq (a.s.) that, “Tasoo’ah (ninth) of Muharram is the day, when Imam Husayn (a.s.) and his companions were besieged at Karbala by the army of Syria from all sides and of­floaded their luggage. The son of Marjanah (Ubaydullah bin Ziyad) and Umar bin Sa’ad were pleased at the large number of their army and they deemed Imam and his companions to be weak. They knew that Imam Husayn (a.s.) had no helpers or aides in Iraq.

May my father be ransom upon the oppressed traveler.” When Umar bin Sa’ad ordered his troops to mount, they obeyed and advanced until they neared the tents of Imam Husayn (a.s.). (Irshad, Kamil, Tabari) Imam was seated in front of his tent reclining against his sword with head on his knees and was dozing off. When Hazrat Zaynab (a.s.) heard the hue and cry of the troops, she ran towards Imam and asked him, “O dear brother! Do you not hear this hue and cry advancing towards us”?

Imam lifted his head up and said, “I have just seen the Prophet of Allah (S) in a dream and he told me that tomorrow I shall be united with them.” Hearing this Hazrat Zaynab (a.s.) started beating her face and wailing. Imam Husayn (a.s.) said, “There is no need for you to wail. O dear sister! Remain silent, may your Allah’s mercy be upon you.” (Tabari, Irshad) Hazrat Abbas (a.s.) came to Imam Husayn (a.s.) and said, “O Master!

These troops have come towards us.” Imam arose and said, (Irshad, Tabari) “O Abbas! May my life be your ransom! O dear brother! Mount and go to them and ask as to what has happened, what they intend and why have they come towards us.” Hazrat Abbas, accompanied by twenty sol­diers including Zuhayr bin Qayn and Habib bin Mazahir, came towards them and said, “What has come up recently and what do you desire”?