Dedication and Altruism 3 (Imam Hussain and Karbala)

The majority of Muslims were observing the conduct of the leaders of prominent companion families, namely, Abdullah Ibn Abbas, Abdullah Ibn Zubair, Abdullah Ibn Omar, Husain ibn Ali and Abdu'l-Rahman ibn Abu Bakr. In his written instructions to Yazid, Muawiya suggested specific strategies for each one of them. Muawiya warned Yazid specifically about Husain ibn Ali, since he was the only blood relative of the prophet Muhammad. Yazid was successful in coercing Abdullah ibn Abbas, Abdullah Ibn Omar and Abdu'l-Rahman ibn Abu Bakr. Abdullah Ibn Zubair took refuge in Mecca. Husain ibn Ali believed the appointment of Yazid as the heir of the Caliphate would lead to hereditary kingship, which was against the original political teachings of Islam. Therefore, he resolved to confront Yazid