Thread by @Shiahism

Arrival of Imam Hussain (a) in karbala :A Thread

On the 2nd day of Muharram 61 A.H they reached the barren plain of Karbala. The Imam asked, "What is this
place called?" Someone said, "Nainawa!" Another said, "Ghazariya! "Is there any other name? asked the Imam. An old ma said, "This place is called Karbala"

On the 2nd day of Muharram, Husayn'(a) caravan reached Karbala’Thousands of Yazid's soldiers were already there, having arrived long before the Imam.
The small tribe living in Karbala’ gathered around Husayn's caravan.

Imam Husayn (a) A enquired about the price of the land in Karbala’. He then bought the entire land.

Then, he first spoke to the menfolk of the tribe.

“O, menfolk of Karbala’! We have not come here to fight. Yazid's soldiers will fight with us and we will be killed.

They will not bury our bodies and our bodies will be left to the wild animals of the desert. I request a favour from you. Please, bury our bodies.

Then, he first spoke to the menfolk of the tribe
Imam Husain (a) A then turned to the womenfolk of the tribe.
Ladies of Karbala!

Your menfolk, out of fear of Yazid's soldiers might not bury our bodies. Ladies! When your men are working in the fields, please come out of your houses and bury our bodies.

Somehow Imam Husayn AS did not feel the men nor the women would carry out his request.

Sadly, he turned to the children who had gathered and spoke gently to them

Children! If your father or your mother are unable to bury us, I beg you to throw a fistful of sand over our bodies while you playing in fields. That way children our bodies will slowly get buried.

Imam then ordered the tents to be pitched by the river. It was very hot in Karbala’ and the supply of water was absolutely essential for survival.

‘Abbas AS commander of Husayn's army, with his men, started to pitch the tents by the river.

The commanders of Yazid's army ordered their men to pull out Husayn's tents. They stopped Husayn's tents from being pitched by the river.

‘Abbas AS became very angry. He pulled out his sword and wanted to kill the enemies.

Abbas, the lion son of ‘Ali, was like his father. He was very brave and strong. The enemies feared him. If he wanted the tents to be pitched by the river, then Yazid's men even though in thousands, would not be able to stop him.

Husaain (A) saw what was happening and quickly intervened. He knew his brother's temper and strength.

Abbas! My brother ‘Abbas! Put your sword back. ‘Abbas, we have not come here to fight. Later on, people will say that we started the battle for water. ‘Abbas!

This was the 2nd of Muharram. As nights and days passed by, the scene in Karbala’ changed.

Day by day Yazid's army increased in number. Nearly 20,000 of Yazid’s soldiers surrounded Husayn's tents.

Why so many to fight no more than 72 men in Husayn's army?

Despite having so many men in Yazid's army, his commanders were still worried because the 72 men in Husayn's army were no ordinary men. They were brave, faithful and did not fear death.

Yazid's soldiers knew this and therefore thought of a way to weaken Husayn's army.

There were many ladies and children with Husayn As and they suffered a lot without water and food.

Imam Baqir (AS) said:
Amirul Mu'mineen Ali(AS), along with two of his companions, happened to pass by Karbala and as he did so, tears filled his eyes.

Imam said to them, This is the resting place of their animals; and this is where their luggage shall be laid down;
and it is here that their blood shall be shed. Blessed are you O' Earth that the blood of the beloved shall be spilled upon you.
Bihar al-Anwar,Vol: 44,pg: 258