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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books With the Caravan of Light Publisher's Word With a view to making the rich culture of Shi'ism more profoundly known around the globe, the DAR AL-SADEGHAIN Cultural and Publishing Institute, in accordance with the aims of its Council of Founders, established an International Centre for this purpose in March 1998.

In fulfilling our responsibilities to this end, we feel duty-bound to provide the Shi'ite communities of the world with easier access to sources of knowledge on landmarks in the history of Islam. Hence, we have been engaged in researching, compiling and translating these valuable writings on Shi'ism. Our first publication is this book "With the Caravan of Light" by Husayn Ansarian, a wellknown cleric and religious orator.

📌The book gives a short account of the personality of the companions of Imam Husayn (a), the third Imam of Shi'ite Islam. We would like to express our thanks to all the scholars and erudite personalities for their comments and suggestions. M. J. Al-Yazdy Managing Director Notes:who is who? `Ubaydullah, son of Ziad ibn-Abih: The young governor of Iraq, appointed by Yazid ibnMuawiyah. He was a faithless, aggressive and blood-thirsty oppressor of low birth who never abided by his promises.

His mission was to hold Imam Husayn(a) prisoner or to kill him by whatever means he could. With an army of three thousand men, this fiendish man initiated the tragic event of Karbala and has remained cursed and detested by all pious people for ever. Abdullah ibn Umeir and Amr ibn-Jinada: Both companions of Imam Husayn(a) and martyred in Karbala. Their murderers flung their decapitated heads towards the Imam(a).

Abu Ja' far Tabari: An eminent Shi'ite personality whose trustworthiness, dignity, eloquence and profound knowledge was known to all. Abul Aswad Da' ali: A loyal companion ofHadrat Ali(a) who learned syntax and the rules for the correct pronunciation of Arabic words from him. Abul Hatuf ibn-Harath and Sa'd ibn-Harath: They were brothers from the Ansar tribe of Medina.

For twenty years they were members of the group that had revolted against Hadrat Ali(a) and were notorious for being his bitter enemies. Feeling sympathetic towards Imam Husayn(a) for being so tyrannically oppressed, they abandoned Yazid and fought for the Imam's holy cause and were martyred. Aqilian: They were of the family of Aqil, the brother of Amir al-Mu'minin(a). They were martyred in the battle of Karbala.

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