ThestayofImamHusayninMeccacontinueduntiltheseasonforpil-
grimagewhenMuslims fromallover theworld pouredin groupsinto
Meccainordertoperformtheritesofthehajj.TheImamdiscoveredthat
someofthefollowersofYazidhadenteredMeccaaspilgrims withthe
missiontokilltheImamduringtheritesofhajjwith thearmstheycar-
ried under their special pilgrimage dress (ihram).
TheImamshortenedthepilgrimageritesanddecidedtoleave.Amidst
thevastcrowdofpeoplehestood upandinashortspeechannounced
thathewassettingoutforIraq.Inthisshortspeechhealsodeclaredthat
hewouldbe martyredandaskedMuslimstohelp himin attainingthe
goalhehadin viewandtooffer theirlivesinthe pathofGod. Onthe
nextdayhesetoutwith hisfamilyandagroupof hiscompanionsfor
Iraq.
ImamHusaynwasdeterminednottogivehisallegiancetoYazidand
knewfullwellthathewouldbekilled.Hewasawarethathisdeathwas
inevitableinthefaceofthe awesomemilitarypowerofthe Umayyads,
supported as it was bycorruption in certain sectors, spiritual decline,
andlackofwillpoweramongthepeople,especiallyinIraq.Someofthe
outstanding people of Mecca stood in the way of Imam Husayn and
warnedhimofthedangerofthemovehewasmaking.Butheanswered
thatherefusedtopayallegianceandgivehisapprovaltoagovernment
ofinjusticeandtyranny.Headdedthatheknewthatwhereverheturned
orwenthewouldbekilled.Hewouldleaveinordertopreservethere-
spectforthehouseofGodandnotallowthisrespecttobedestroyedby
having his blood spilled there.