Entering Kufa

On the twenty-fifth of Shawwal, he entered Kufa (.al-Mas’udi, Muruj al-Thahab, Vol. 2, p. 86.) and stayed with al-Mukhtar Ibn Abu ‘Ubayd al-Thaqafi (al-Tabari, Tarikh, Vol. 6, p. 199.) who was highly respected among his people, a generous man, a man of ambition and daring, one well experienced and determined, and a formidable opponent of the enemies of Ahl al-Bayt, peace be upon them.

He was a wise man, a man of great discretion especially with regard to the rules of the battle and the means of subduing the foe. His experience taught him wisdom. He underwent calamities from which he learned self-discipline. He kept company with the Progeny of the most holy Prophet (S), so he benefitted from their ethics and virtuous morals, and he sought their advice publicly and privately.