In this way...

In this way, he could substantiate that Yazid was not worthy of being the caliph for the Muslim ummah . This response can also be cited as one of the causes of Imam al-Husayn’s (as) bringing his household along, but is still not a complete reason for this act.

Fourth response Others say: the reason for bringing all his household members to Karbala was that Imam al-Husayn (as) wanted to incite people to come to his help, because when the Imam is seen with all his children and womenfolk, his friends and supporters would be persuaded to join him out of mercy and compassion, and the hearts of his enemies would become sympathetic.

However, this possibility does not seem correct because: Firstly, Imam al-Husayn (as) could use other means of persuading both his friends and enemies, like making speeches and sending representatives to different cities and countries. Secondly, Imam al-Husayn did not want to create a state of anxiety and uneasiness in the ummah . He did not desire to obtain the people’s help at all costs by arousing their emotions and sympathies.

On the contrary, he wanted the people to choose their way by their own volition. Fifth response Another answer, which is probably a better answer to this question, is that Imam al-Husayn (as) brought his (as), womenfolk and newborns because he was worried about them. If Imam al-Husayn (as) had gone on his own and left his (as) in Medina when he rose up against Yazid, there was the fear that the caliphate apparatus would arrest and imprison them.

The Imam saw it to be in everyone’s interests to take his (as) along with him so that, on the one hand, he could keep them under his own protection and, on the other, they could be charged with continuing the mission by sermonizing and divulging the oppression suffered by the pure and chaste (as). This possibility can also be confirmed as follows: a. When we take Yazid’s government’s way of conduct into consideration, it is probable that Yazid would have arrested and taken the (as) into custody.

b. On the night before the day of ‘Ashura, Imam al-Husayn (as) told all his companions to feel free to leave him alone at Karbala, but he did not give permission for his (as) to do the same. c. The governor of Medina at that time was ‘Amru ibn Sa‘id Ashdaq. When the news of Imam al-Husayn’s (as) death reached him, he rejoiced.