Imam Hussain’s Virtues
The Messenger of Allah (S) stated, “Hussain is from me and I am from Hussain. Everyone who likes Hussain is loved by Allah. Hussain is a sibt (son of daughter) of my sibts.”
Prophet Muhammad (S) also said, “Everyone who wants to see the most beloved person in the heavens and the earth should look at Hussain.”
Hadhifah has narrated from the Messenger of Allah (S), “Allah has granted Hussain a virtue that He has given to no one, except to Joseph, son of Jacob.”
Hadhifat Ibn Yaman says, “I saw the Messenger of Allah (S) holding Hussain’s hand and saying, ‘O people! This is Hussain Ibn Ali. Know him! By Allah that he will be in the Paradise, along with his friends and the friends of his friends.’ He then continued, ‘Hasan and Hussain are the best people on the earth, after their father and I, and their mother is the best woman in the world.’”
Prophet Muhammad (S) said, “Hasan and Hussain are my two flowers on the earth.”
The Prophet (S) stated, “Hasan and Hussain are masters of the youth of the Paradise and their father is more virtuous than them.”

Imam Hussain (a.s.) was asked, “Why do you fear Allah so much?” Imam Hussain (a.s.) answered, “No one is safe from hardships of the Hereafter except that he fears Allah in this world.”
Abdullah Ibn ‘Ubayd says, “Imam Hussain (a.s.) went to Hajj pilgrimage on foot twenty times, while he had a horse to ride.”
Imam Sajjad (a.s.) was asked, “Why are your father’s children so few?” Imam (a.s.) replied, “I am even wondered of my birth; my father performed a thousand rak’ahs of prayer a day.”
It is narrated that Hasan (a.s.) and Hussain (a.s.) were going to Hajj pilgrimage on foot. Everyone who passed them on horseback landed and continued the way on foot. Walking was difficult for some of the pilgrims. They told Sa’d Ibn Abi Waqqas, “Walking is hard for us, but we cannot ride while these two honorable persons walk.” Sa’d Ibn Abi Waqqas related their speech to Imam Hasan (a.s.) and added, “I wish you rode your horses for the comfort of these weak pilgrims.” Imam Hussain (a.s.) said, “We do not ride, since we are obliged to walk toHajj pilgrimage. However, we run away from this path for the sake of other pilgrims.” Then Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Imam Hussain (a.s.) did so.

Ayatollah Khamenei

“Express and explain Alavid doctrines to people in Muharram as these doctrines are the very authentic Qur’anic and Islamic teachings.”

(15th June 1993)

The Battle of Karbala is the story of the movement of Imam al-Husayn (a) from Medina to Mecca and from there to Kufa, that in the middle of the way, the army of ‘Ubayd Allah b. Ziyad led by ‘Umar b. Sa’d lined against the caravan of Imam al-Husayn (a) which led to the battle between them and the martyrdom of Imam (a) and his companions and the capture of his family. This tragedy is among the most heart-breaking tragedies to Muslims and especially Shi’a in the Islamic history

The movement of Imam al-Husayn (a) began from Medina towards Mecca after the death of Mu’awiya on the first days of Rajab 60/679; and it was the first action of Imam al-Husayn (a) to refrain giving allegiance to Yazid b. Mu’awiya. In this journey, the family of Imam (a), some of Banu Hashim and some Shi’a accompanied him

Imam al-Husayn (a) stayed in Mecca until Dhu l-Hijja 8/September 12; but, following the people of Kufa’s request of him to accept governorship and regarding the possibility of being killed in Mecca by the agents of Yazid, Imam (a) moved towards Kufa; however, before arriving in Kufa, he (a) was informed that the people of Kufa had broken their promise to support him. After Hurr b. Yazid al-Riyahi blocked the way of Imam (a), he (a) went toward Karbala and there he (a) encountered the army of ‘Umar b. Sa’d

Source : wikishia

After Mu’awiya died on Rajab 15, 60/April 24, 680, people gave allegiance to Yazid. He decided to take the allegiance of some of the nobles among Muslims who had previously rejected his father’s invitation for giving allegiance to him. Therefore, he wrote a letter to Walid b. ‘Utba, the governor of Medina at that time and informed him of the death of Mu’awiya and in a short letter, he wrote to him, “Take allegiance of al-Husayn b. Ali, ‘Abd Allah b. ‘Umar, ‘Abd al-Rahman b. Abi Bakr and ‘Abd Allah b. al-Zubayr by force and behead anyone of them who does not accept.”

Then, Walid received another letter from Yazid, in which he had insisted, “write the names of those who approved me and objected to me and also send to me the head of al-Husayn b. Ali (a) with the letter.” Walid consulted with Marwan b. Hakam and then sent ‘Abd Allah b. ‘Amr to Imam al-Husayn (a), ‘Abd Allah b. al-Zubayr, ‘Abd Allah b. ‘Umar, and ‘Abd al-Rahman b. Abi Bakr.

Imam (a) and 30 people of his close companions went to Dar al-’Imara (residence of emir) of Medina. Walid informed Imam (a) about the death of Mu’awiya and then read the letter of Yazid to him, in which Walid was asked to take allegiance of Imam (a) to Yazid. Imam (a) told Walid, “Will you be happy if I give allegiance to Yazid secretly? I assume you want that I give allegiance in public.” Walid said, “I have that idea.” Imam (a) said, “so, give me time until tomorrow and I will inform you of my opinion.”

The evening of the next day, the governor of Medina sent his agents to the house of Imam (a) to receive the answer of Imam (a). Imam (a) asked for the time of night as well and Walid accepted. Imam (a) decided to leave Medina

Source : wikishia