On arriving there...

On arriving there, they found that the Imam(a) was not in Mecca, so they went searching far and wide in the surrounding wilderness for him. At the same time, the Imam(a) was also searching for Ibn Thabit and eventually came upon his camp and went to his tent.

When Tbn Thabit saw the Imam(a) in his tent he mentioned the Qur'anic verse: *O mankind There has come unto you an exhortation from your Lord, a balm for that which is in the breasts* (10/58) Then he told Imam Husayn(a) that he had come to fight for the divine cause. The Imam(a) prayed for him and eventually Ibn Thabit and two of his sons were killed in the battle. Never do men with religious zeal bow to vile people.

Well done those who pledge allegiance to the prophet's son and would give both their arms for his cause. Well done those who, disdaining of danger rush upon the enemy. Gallant men who pierce their way through enemy hoards to slake the thirst of others. Martyrdom was a wine in the cup of death. Well done those drunken men who kissed it and drank the wine. Abis ibn- Shabib Shakeri He was a pious shi'ite notable orator and man of Truth.

When Muslim ibn-Aqil came to Kufa, the notables among the Shi' a came to visit him. After Muslim had read the letter of Imam Husayn(a), `Abis addressed him saying: O you messenger of Husayn(a)!, I speak neitherfor thepeople ofKufa nor dolwish to make a baseless promise on their behalf to deceive you. I swear by God that I have chosen to fight the enemy side by side with you, to the bitter end. His fiery words kindled the fire of sacrifice for the cause of Allah.

Here `Abis committed himself to uphold nothing but the Truth. He encouraged the people to pledge allegiance to Muslim. Muslim wrote a letter to the Imam(a) and handed it to Abis. In the thick of the battle `Abis Shakeri, in company with Shudhab rode out to defend Islam. `Abis then addressed the Imam and said: I know of no one dearest to me, but you. He rushed the enemy with his sword unsheathed.

No one dared to fight him, so Ibn Sa'ad ordered his men to rain stones on him in order to crush his attack. `Abis , in a righteous rage, removed his coat of mail and helmet and launched a furious attack upon the soldiers of the enemy, cutting down many in his path. Finally, tired, outnumbered and surrounded on all sides, `Abis was cut down and martyred.