As to Siyyid Muhammad, now given free rein by his master, Mírzá Yahyá, he had surrounded himself, as Nabíl who was at that time with him in Karbilá categorically asserts, with a band of ruffians, whom he allowed, and even encouraged,
- to snatch at night the turbans from the heads of wealthy pilgrims who had congregated in Karbilá,
- to steal their shoes,
- to rob the shrine of the Imám Husayn of its divans and candles,
- and seize the drinking cups from the public fountains.