THE STORY OF KARBALA - PART 5/02

ABDULLAH BIN WAHB AL-KALBI

previous episode

Wahab was still in his teens. He had just got married and he was returning to his family with his middle-aged mother and the bride of a few days who was only twelve years old.

When his little caravan crossed with that of Husayn's, he met Husayn and listened to many of his speeches which he had been giving to his people at every stop. Wahab was very impressed by Husayn's personality, his honesty, piety and knowledge. Wahab kept discussing all this with his mother and continued with Husayn's caravan until they arrived in Karbala.

The situation in Karbala was quite different. Everybody knew that staying with Husayn meant definite death. Wahab discussed the situation with his mother the last time on the night of Ashoora.

He asked her:

'Mother! What should I do in this situation?' The mother asked Wahab: 'How do you feel yourself, my son ?'

Wahab said: 'In my opinion Husayn is on the just path and it would be cowardly and against all traditions of Arab chivalry and gallantry to leave the side of a man so isolated and surrounded by blood-thirsty enemies.' The mother said: 'But that means definite death.'

Wahab replied: 'Yes I know, but my heart tells me that this is the right thing to do, in the circumstances.'

The mother then said: 'If that is how you feel then we will stay with Husayn.'

next episode