The Caravan, Part 3

THE THIRD STAGE

MIGRATION AND DEPARTURE TOWARDS MECCA

TIME OF THE DEPARTURE: It is considered to be on Saturday night, Rajab 27th, 60 A.H. (in the year where the month of Rajab was 29 days); some have also reported it to be on Friday night and some have emphasized on Sunday, Rajab 28th. ⁴⁶

IMAM HUSAIN’S DEEDS AT THE DEPARTURE: Consigning his will to his brother, Muhammad Hanafiyyah; Saying farewell to the Prophet’s Shrine, his mother and brother’s grave; visiting and saying farewell to Bani Hashim.

THE COMPANIONS AT THE DEPARTURE: They consisted of his sisters, Zainab and Umm-i Kulthum; his brothers, Abu Bakr, Ja’far, Abbas, Uthman and Abdullah; his brother’s children (Imam Hassan’s); the selected ones from the Prophet’s progeny (totally 21 people) and several persons from close friends, companions and some of the servants, and there were also some children in the caravan. The numbers of the companions is written up to 228 people. ⁴⁷

THE WHISPER AT THE DEPARTURE: Aside from Yazid Ibn Mafraq’s poems that Imam Husain recited while he entered Medina’s Mosque, he whispered the 21^st verse of chapter 28 (The Story):

“So he departed therefrom, fearful and vigilant

he said, My Lord, deliver me from the people of the evildoers.”

DESTINATION: Mecca

THE CAPACITIES AND FACILITIES OF THE JOURNEY: 250 camels, 40 camel-litters that were covered with silk and fine silk. Out of 250 camels, 70 camels were used to carry tents; 40 camels to carry the dishes and living equipments; 30 camels to carry water; 12 camels to carry money (Dirhams and Dinars), fabrics, saffron, odor, clothes and high quality striped cloth from Yemen; 50 camels for the wives and children of the companions; and the rest of the camels to carry other living equipments. The Imam had asked Qays Ibn Sa’d Ibadah to come after him by 200 men. ⁴⁹

IMAM HUSAIN’S PERSONAL FACILITIES AT THE DEPARTURE:

1. Murtajiz, the Prophet’s horse

2. The Prophet’s personal sword named Battar, Rusub, Azab or Hatf which the following poem was written on it:

Fear is a disgrace and stepping into battlefield is magnanimity. Man can’t release by fear from divine destiny.

3. The Prophet’s armor named Sa’diyah, Fidh-dhah, Dhat al-Fudul or Dhat al-Wishah.

4. The Prophet’s turban made of fur named Sahab.

5. The Prophet’s weapon that was similar to a stick and it was called Atrah. ⁵⁰

THE PATH OF THE MOVEMENT: The main road and public route towards Mecca (while Abdullah Ibn Zubayr and his brother escaped to Mecca through detour). It was suggested to the Imam to move through detour but he stated, “By God, I won’t deviate from the right path till God judge among us whatever He wants.” ⁵¹

Translated by,

Fatima Serajinejad

References:

46. Al-Mufid: Al-Irshad (Vol. 2, p. 33); I’lam al-Wara (P. 223); History of Tabari (Vol. 5, p. 343)

47. Jamal men Ansab al-Ashraf (Vol. 5, p. 317); Bihar al-Anwar (Vol. 44, pp. 312-313, 326); Madinat al-Muajiz (P. 243); Shaykh Suduq: Amali (Translated by Kamareh’ei), (Pp. 152-153); Ma’ali al-Sibtain (Vol. 1, Pp. 218-220)

48. Kharazmi, Maqtal al-Husain (Vol. 1, p. 189);  Tadhkirat al-Khawas (P. 135); Murooj al-Zahab (Vol. 3, p. 64); Al-Mufid: Al-Irshad (Vol. 2, p. 33); Nafas-ul-Mahmum, (P. 79);

49. Shaykh Bahā’ī, Kamel (Vol. 2, p. 371); Wasilat Al-Darin (Pp. 53-54); Ma’ali al-Sibtain, (Vol. 1, pp. 218-220;

50. Wasilat Al-Darin, (P. 52); Ma’ali al-Sibtain, (Vol. 1, pp. 218-220)

51. History of Tabari (Vol. 5, p. 351); A’yan Al-Shia (Vol. 1, p. 588); Bihar al-Anwar (Vol. 44, p. 332)