The journey of Karbala

After Mu'awiya's death, Yazid orders the governor of Medina to take the Imam's allegiance by force. The Imam refuses, and on 28 Rajab leaves for Mecca with most of his household.

His will to his brother Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyya: he rose not for mischief or power, but seeking reform in the umma of his grandfather, to enjoin the good and forbid the evil.

He stays in Mecca. The Shia of Kufa write inviting him; the first letter reaches him on 10 Ramadan, and hundreds follow.

He sends his cousin Muslim ibn Aqil ahead to Kufa.

He sets out from Mecca for Kufa.

Under Ibn Ziyad's threats the Kufans scatter. Muslim ibn Aqil is captured and martyred on the roof of the palace.

Al-Hurr ibn Yazid al-Riyahi and a thousand horsemen bar his road; the Imam gives their men and horses water.

He reaches Karbala. The next day Umar ibn Sa'd arrives with four thousand men; Ibn Ziyad will accept nothing but allegiance to Yazid.

The camp is cut off from the Euphrates; al-Abbas fights through and brings water back.

He asks for one more night of prayer, and releases his companions from their pledge; family and companions alike refuse to leave him.

With 32 horsemen and 40 foot he faces the army. Al-Hurr crosses over to him. His companions fall, then the men of Banu Hashim, the first of them Ali al-Akbar, and al-Abbas; then the Imam himself is martyred.

Men of Banu Asad bury about seventy-two martyrs where they fell.

The women and children, and the ailing Imam al-Sajjad, are brought captive into Kufa.

Sayyida Zaynab's sermon to the people of Kufa.

Taunted by Ibn Ziyad, she answers: I have seen nothing but beauty. She shields Imam al-Sajjad from being killed.

Sayyida Zaynab's sermon in the court of Yazid.

Imam al-Sajjad makes himself, his father and his grandfather known, and tells the people that his father was no rebel, but rose for the truth.

Jabir ibn Abd Allah al-Ansari is the first to visit the grave, on the fortieth day; by al-Luhuf, the returning household visits it too.