The Journey Begins

The Story

After that tense night, Hussain faced a difficult choice.

He would not promise his loyalty to Yazid. The pressure continued, and it was no longer safe for him to remain in Madinah.

So Hussain made his decision. He would leave the city he loved and travel to Makkah.

Makkah was home to the Ka'bah, the sacred House of Allah.

It was a holy place where people were meant to be safe and where fighting was forbidden.

Hussain travelled toward Makkah, hoping to find safety there.

Hussain did not make the journey alone.

His children and many close members of his family travelled with him.

Whatever the road brought, they would face it together.

As Hussain left Madinah, he recited a prayer from the Qur'an.

Prophet Musa had said these same words when he was forced to leave his own city.

That night, Hussain and his family began their journey.

Behind them, Madinah, the city of his grandfather, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, slowly faded into the distance.

Ahead of them stretched the long road to Makkah.

The road ahead was difficult and uncertain.

But Hussain had made his choice. He stayed firm and would not give a promise he did not truly mean.

That is resolve. Choosing what is right and staying firm, even when the path is hard. 🌙

Family Discussion

Hussain made a difficult choice and stayed firm in what he believed was right.

Have you ever started something difficult and kept going?

What helped you stay strong?

Sources: Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. XIX (The Caliphate of Yazid ibn Mu‘awiyah), trans. Howard, ~pp. 4–10 — Hussain declines the pledge and leaves Madinah for Makkah with much of his household by night; recites Qur’an 28:21 on departure, Shaykh al-Mufid, Kitab al-Irshad, trans. Howard, ~pp. 299–303 — Hussain’s departure from Madinah to Makkah after the meeting with al-Walid (same sequence, incl. the Qur’anic recitation and taking refuge in Makkah), Ibrahim Ayati, A Probe into the History of Ashura’ — Shia narrative of the departure from Madinah and arrival in Makkah, Qur’an 28:21 — the dua of Prophet Musa on leaving Egypt, recited by Hussain on leaving Madinah, Qur’an 3:97 & Sahih al-Bukhari 1834 — the sanctity of Makkah and the prohibition of fighting there (basis for the “sanctuary” language)