1835,] Ohngin mid Ceremonies of the M^thutrn'M. M ^ 



mor of Syria^ who liad a suspicion, either real or affected, 

 that Alee was deeply, iniplicated in the murder of the 

 third of the caliphs, and who had in consequence assunj^ 

 ^d the.i title of the Commander of the faithful 

 (caliph) in opposition to the lawful and unquestionable 

 authority of x\lee; Between these parties there was 

 a long and obstinate contest, in which it is said 

 Alee was engaged in seventy-two battles, and the cause ia 



which he fought, obtained him the appellation of ^iVVjk^UH 



i! w-Asudoollahool ghalib (the powerful lion of God)'; 

 and contributed^ equally with his illustrious descent, to 

 the veneration in which he is held by his modern vota- 

 ries.— Their dispute indeed ceased with the murder of 

 Alee ; and the voluntary abdication of his eldest son, 

 Hasun, elevated Maveeah to the throne. His son and 

 successor Yazeed, jealous of the superior title of Hsisnn 

 wlio had retired to Medina, instructed the Oo^ernor^ of 

 that place to put him to death ; and he was laccsjrdingly 

 carried off by poison through the treachery of hig^ wife. 

 The remaihing son of Alee, Hoosien, eneoumged to as- 

 sert his title by information secretly conveyed to him; 

 that a numerous body of Mussulmans at Cufa were pre^ 

 pared to support his cause, and would join him on his 

 approach, unadvisedly repaired with i^uch followers aSL 

 lie could collect to that city. But this was a mere stra- 

 tagem on the part of Yazeed for the destruction of his 

 rival, who, after reaching the plain of Kurbula in Arabia 

 deserta, was sorrounded and attacked by the troops'of 

 the usurper ; but with the enthusiastic feelings of self 

 devoted martyrs, Hoosien and his escort, consisting of 

 his family and relations, amounting to seventy-two per • 

 sons in number maintained an unequal cOmbat with the 

 enemy's superior force, until every individual^ (otie of 

 his sons excepted) perished by the sword. This event 

 occurred on Friday the lOlh of the month of Mohurruin 



