Ibn Abbas relates that one day, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) was seated among his companions when the conversation turned to al-Husayn ibn Ali (peace be upon them both). What followed was among the most profound and heart-rending statements ever to leave the lips of the Prophet (s.a.w.a) — a window into what he knew was coming, and the grief he (s.a.w.a) carried for it.
The Prophet (s.a.w.a) described al-Husayn (a.s.) in terms that left no ambiguity about his (a.s.) station:
“As for al-Husayn, he is from me, and he is my son and my child, and the best of creation after his brother. He is the Imam of the Muslims, the Master of the believers, the Caliph of the Lord of the Worlds, the refuge of those who seek refuge, the shelter of those who seek protection, and the Proof of Allah upon all of His creation. He is the Master of the youth of the people of Paradise, and the gate of salvation for the nation. His command is my command, and obedience to him is obedience to me. Whoever follows him is from me, and whoever disobeys him is not from me.”
These words establish al-Husayn (a.s.) not merely as a beloved grandson, but as a divinely appointed authority — an Imam whose obedience is inseparable from obedience to the Prophet (s.a.w.a) himself.
Then the Prophet’s (s.a.w.a) tone shifted. He spoke of what he foresaw — not as distant prophecy, but with the vividness of a man already witnessing it:
“When I look at him, I am reminded of what will be done to him after me. It is as though I see him having sought protection in my sanctuary and my proximity, yet he is granted no protection. So I embrace him to my chest in his sleep and command him to depart from the city of my migration, and I give him glad tidings of martyrdom — so he departs from it to the land of his killing and the place of his fall: a land of karb (anguish) and bala’ (tribulation), of killing and perishing.”
The Prophet (s.a.w.a) then spoke of those who would stand with al-Husayn (a.s.) in his final hours:
“A band of Muslims will support him. Those are among the masters of the martyrs of my nation on the Day of Resurrection.”
The Prophet (s.a.w.a) concluded with a scene of devastating clarity — the moment of al-Husayn’s (a.s.) fall:
“It is as though I am looking at him, having been struck by an arrow, falling from his horse, slain — then slaughtered as a ram is slaughtered, wrongfully.”
At that, the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a) wept. Those around him wept. Voices rose with wailing throughout the gathering. Then, through his tears, the Prophet (s.a.w.a) raised his hands and said:
“O Allah, I complain to You of what my Ahlul Bayt will encounter after me.”
Then he rose and entered his home.
Ref: Al-Amali of Sheikh al-Saduq, p. 115