(There were 1000 at first, but 72 people remained)
More than 1,000 people were with ImÄm Ḥusayn (pbuh) until the night before Ä€shÅ«rÄ, but because they didn’t have a spiritual connection with him, they could not stay with and left him!
In times of trial, there are few individuals like “NÄfiÊ¿ b. HilÄl†who said, “By God! We do not find meeting God unpleasant, and we are steadfast in our intention and insight. There are few individuals like “Zuhayr†who said:
O, the offspring of the Messenger of God! I swear by God, I would like to be killed and then be resurrected, and this could happen a thousand times. But may God save you and your family being killed’
‘No one will not remain steadfast on the way of his Imamate, except the one who is highly certain and he has a correct knowledge of him’, stated ImÄm al-á¹¢Ädiq (pbuh) about the companions of His Majesty MahdÄ« (mGehr).
Yes! If there is no alignment between the ImÄm and the follower, true companionship will not be possible and they will eventually abandon him!
From the Euphrates to Euphrates, Vol. 1, P.128-151