'Abis Ibn Shabib al-Shakiri came to Shawthab61, a slave of Shakir. Shawthab was a sincere man whose house was always frequented by the Shi’as; it was there that they discussed the merits of Ahl al-Bayt (‘a). He said, “O Shawthab!
What do you intend to do?” Shawthab said, “I shall fight on your side till I am killed.” He prayed Allah to reward him well then said to him, “Advance to greet Abu ‘Abdullah (‘a) so that he may pray for you just as he prayed for the others, for this is a day when we seek as much reward as we can.”
Shawthab advanced and greeted al-Husayn (‘a) then fought till he was killed.
‘Abis stood before Abu ‘Abdullah (‘a) and said: “None on the face of earth received the night, be he a near or a distant kin, who is dearer to me than you. Had I been able to ward off injustice from you with anything more precious than my life, I would have done so. Peace be with you, and I testify that I am on your and your father's guidance!”
He walked towards the enemy with his sword raised despite a wound which he had already received on his forehead. All men who saw him shouted, “O men! Stay away from him!”
They knew very well that he was most courageous. Observing the situation, ‘Umar Ibn Sa’d shouted, “Kill him with your stones!” He became the target of a shower of stones. Having seen that, he put down his shield and charged, causing as many as two hundred men to flee away from him. Soon they surrounded him from all directions and killed him.
A number of them disputed with one another about who among them would take his head covering as a booty. Ibn Sa’d said, “This man was not killed by one single person.” He distributed the slain hero's head-gear among them.62
What do you intend to do?” Shawthab said, “I shall fight on your side till I am killed.” He prayed Allah to reward him well then said to him, “Advance to greet Abu ‘Abdullah (‘a) so that he may pray for you just as he prayed for the others, for this is a day when we seek as much reward as we can.”
Shawthab advanced and greeted al-Husayn (‘a) then fought till he was killed.
‘Abis stood before Abu ‘Abdullah (‘a) and said: “None on the face of earth received the night, be he a near or a distant kin, who is dearer to me than you. Had I been able to ward off injustice from you with anything more precious than my life, I would have done so. Peace be with you, and I testify that I am on your and your father's guidance!”
He walked towards the enemy with his sword raised despite a wound which he had already received on his forehead. All men who saw him shouted, “O men! Stay away from him!”
They knew very well that he was most courageous. Observing the situation, ‘Umar Ibn Sa’d shouted, “Kill him with your stones!” He became the target of a shower of stones. Having seen that, he put down his shield and charged, causing as many as two hundred men to flee away from him. Soon they surrounded him from all directions and killed him.
A number of them disputed with one another about who among them would take his head covering as a booty. Ibn Sa’d said, “This man was not killed by one single person.” He distributed the slain hero's head-gear among them.62
Notes:
61. According to p. 145 of al-Tabarsi’s book I’lam al-Wara, his name appears as Shawthan, but the text recorded by al-Mufid, in his book Al-Irshad, agrees with ours here.
62. al-Tabari, Tarikh, Vol. 6, p. 254.
