Page 154 - Pure Life 07

82 / ( PURE LIFE, Vol.3.No.7, (Safar Al-Muzaffar 1438. Azar 1395. November 2016)

4. Imam Hussain’s companions: two examples
There are many great examples of Imam Hussain’s
companions who faced the struggle of joining Imam
Hussain’s army. It is easy to look back at history
with a quick glance, and paint every man in black or
white; the side of the oppressors or oppressed.
Unfortunately, history can sometimes overlook the
personal and internal struggles, and connect the dots
without focusing on the line in between. One man
who faced a heavy decision was Zuhair ibn Qayn. It
is narrated by a companion of Zuhair ibn Qayn who
states that their caravan was proceeding to Iraq.
On their journey, they met the caravan of Imam
Hussain, but avoiding taking the same resting place
as Imam Hussain. “However, on one occasion, it so
happened that [they] were obliged to halt at the
same place at which Hussain bin Ali halted. [They]
pitched [their] tents on one side and he pitched his
on the other. While we were taking our meals there
suddenly a messenger of the Imam came.
He saluted us and said: ‘O Zuhair bin Qayn!
1
Hussain bin Ali has called you.’”
Although Zuhair tried to avoid meeting the
responsibility of joining Imam Hussain, he was
eventually left to make a decision and could no
longer turn a blind eye.

1. Ayati, https://www.al-islam.org/probe-history-ashura-dr-
ibrahim-ayati.