Events Preeceding the Battle
The holy birth of Imam Husayn (a.s.) took place on the 3rd or 5th of Shaban, 4 A.H. It is also said that he was born
at the end of Rabiul Awwal in 3 A.H. some other dates are given too. Ummul Fazl
, the wife of Abbas
(r.a.) said, “Before the birth of Husayn I saw in a dream that a piece of flesh of the holy Prophet was cut off, which fell in my lap.”
I narrated the dream to the holy Prophet. He said, “It is a true vision and a good dream. Very soon, Fatima will give birth to a son and she will give him to you for nursing.” It happened as the holy Prophet had said.
Narrators of traditions have narrated that when Husayn (a.s.) was 1 year old, twelve angels came down to the holy Prophet (S). They had sorrowful faces and tearful eyes. They opened their wings, and said, “O Muhammad! Very soon, your son Husayn Ibn Fatima will get what Habeel had got from Qabeel, and his killer will get the reward just as Qabeel had got as punishment. All the angels in the heavens came to the holy Prophet (S) and after salutation gave him condolence about Husayn. him They also told him about his reward, and gave him Husayn’s holy dust (dust of his grave)."
The holy Prophet (S) said, “O Allah! Degrade the one who would degrade Husayn; kill his killer, and do not give him (the killer) success.”
When Husayn was two years old, the holy Prophet (S) went on a journey. He halted on the way and recited with tearful eyes, “Inna lillaahe inna ilaihe raajeoon (Verily we belong to Allah and to Him we return)”. When asked for the reason, he said, “Now Jibrael informed me of a land called Karbala,
on the bank, of river Euphrates, that my son Husayn Ibn Fatima will be martyred there.”
One of them asked, "O? Prophet of Allah! Who will kill him?" He replied, "A man named Yazeed. As if I am looking at the place of Husayn’s martyrdom and burial."
Then he returned from the journey in a very sorrowful mood, climbed the pulpit and gave a speech while Hasanain (a.s.) were with him.
After concluding his speech he put his right hand on the head of Hasan (a.s.) and his left hand on the head of Husayn (a.s.). He raised his head towards the sky and exclaimed; “O Lord! Muhammad is Your worshipper and messenger, and these two youth are from my pious kinsfolk and good progeny, and the founders of my family whom I am leaving in my place. Jibrael informed me that this son of mine will be killed and forsaken. O Allah! Make his martyrdom sanctified for him, make him the leader of the martyrs, and do not bless his killers and his forsakers.” Then the people cried.
The holy Prophet (S) said: “Would you just weep and not help him?”
Then he returned and gave another (short) sermon, with tearful eyes, and said: “O people! I am leaving among you, two valuable things, i.e. the Book of Allah, and my progeny; who are my origin, my essence, and the fruits of my life. These two things will not separate, until they meet me at the Hauz (in paradise) in the Last Day. I will be waiting for them, and I do not expect from you anything except what Allah has ordained, that is kindness and (love for my near and dear family). So beware, do not be of those who will not see me at the Hauz, tomorrow, as a result of enmity against my household, harassing and killing them.”
Be aware that on the Day of Judgment, three banners will be offered to me from this Ummah: A dark black flag, which will frighten the angels. Its bearers will halt near me. I will ask them: Who are you?
They would have forgotten my name.
They will say: “We are believers in God and we are Arabs.”
I will say: "I am Ahmad, the Prophet for both the Arabs and non-Arabs".
They will say: "O Ahmad: We are from your Ummah."
I will ask them: "What did you do, after my death, to the Book of God and to my progeny?"
They will reply: "We left and wasted the Book and we totally destroyed your progeny with enmity."
I will turn away from them. And they would be driven to Hell extremely thirsty and black-faced.
Then the second flag bearers with a darker flag will come.
I will ask them: “What did you do with the two valuables I left (i.e. the Holy Quran, and the holy progeny)?” (In response) they will say: “We opposed the Book, and humiliated and destroyed the holy family.”
I will say, "Go away from me." And they would be driven to Hell with dark faces and thirsty too.
Then the third group will arrive with bright and shining flags and faces.
I will ask: “Who are you?”
They will reply: “We are believers in Oneness of God and righteous. We are the followers of Muhammad (S). We are the survivors of the rightful nation. We respected the holy Book of God and obeyed whatever was mentioned as permissible or forbidden in it. We befriended the progeny of the holy Prophet. We willfully helped them and fought against their enemies.”
I would tell them: “Congratulations! I am Muhammad, your Prophet. You lived in the world as you described.” Then I will give them water from the Hauz of Kauthar, and then they will happily enter Paradise and enjoy there forever.
* * * *
In the year 60 A.H., when Muawiya
Ibn Abi Sofyan died, his son Yazeed
Ibn Muawiya, wrote a letter to the governor of Medina, Walid Ibn Utbah
, and ordered him to get allegiance from the people of Medina
, especially from Husayn ibn Ali (a.s.) and if Husayn refused, he should cut off his head and send it to Yazeed.
Walid called Marwan Ibn Hakam
for consultation regarding Husayn (a.s.). Marwan said, “Husayn will not give allegiance, and if I were you, I would have cut off his head.”
Walid said, “I wish my mother had not given birth to me and I had not existed!”
Then he summoned Husayn (a.s.). Husayn approached him with thirty members of his family. Walid informed him about the death of Muawiya, and asked him to give allegiance to Yazeed.
He said, "O? Sir! Since allegiance is not a secret affair whenever you invite the people, you may call me too."
Marwan said, "O Amir! Do not accept his excuse and if he refuses, cut off his neck."
Husayn (a.s.) became angry and said: "Woe unto you, O son of bastard! You order my beheading! You are a liar and you have, by Allah, shown meanness."
Then he turned towards Walid, and said: "O Amir! We are the members of the Holy family of the prophetic mission. We are the mines of prophethood, and our house is the thoroughfare of an- gels. Allah initiated and concluded with us (the divine knowledge) Yazeed is a debauchee, a drunkard; a murderer, and has shed much holy blood. All these factors have made him unworthy of caliphate. A man like me cannot give allegiance to him; however, tomorrow morning I will study about this matter, and will see who is worthy of being caliph."
Then the Imam (a.s.) left there. Marwan said to Walid: "You didn’t act as I advised you?"
Walid said: "Woe unto you. Through your advice, you wished to destroy my world and the Hereafter? By Allah! I do not like to get the worldly kingdom by shedding the blood of Husayn. By Allah! I don’t think that one meets Allah with the sin of murdering Husayn (a.s.) except that his balance (of deeds) is light, and Allah will not be kind to him, and will punish him in Hell."
Next morning Husayn (a.s.) came out of his house to get news, and he came across Marwan. Marwan said: "O Aba Abdillah! I want to give you an advice. Rather hear me and accept it."
He said: Tell me, so that I may hear it.
Marwan said: “I tell you to give allegiance to Yazeed, Amirul Momineen. It is better for your world and your Hereafter.”
Husayn (a.s.) said: "(Inna lillah wa inna ilaiheh Rajeoon) Indeed we belong to Allah, and to Him is our return." When the Ummah (society) falls into the leadership of men like Yazeed, it would mean an end to Islam. Verily, I have heard from my grandfather the holy Prophet who said, "Caliphate is forbidden for the household of Abi Sofyan.”
The conversation between Husayn (a.s.) and Marwan went on until the latter became furious and went away.
The next morning, 3rd of the month of Shaban, 60 A.H. Imam (a.s) departed for Mecca. He stayed the rest of Shaban, Ramadan, and Zilqada in Mecca.
Abdullah Ibn Abbas
and Abdullah Ibn Zubair
came to him and proposed him to reside in Mecca.
He said: “Indeed the holy Prophet has ordered me to fulfill a task, which I am carrying out.”
Ibn Abbas went out exclaiming: “Wa Husayna!”
Thereafter Abdullah Ibn Umar
came and invited Imam Husayn (a.s.) to ally with the deviated government to keep away from war and bloodshed.
Imam (a.s.) said: "O Aba Abdul Rahman! Don’t you know that it is a dirty world which caused people so low that the holy head of Yahya Ibn Zakariya is sent to one of the bastards of the children of Israel? Don't you know that the Jewish people killed seventy prophets, from dawn to sun- rise, during a day? Yet they went to their work in market, as if nothing had happened at all. Allah did not make haste in punishing them, but gave them respite. Thereafter, He chastised them severely, which was a very hard chastisement from the Almighty God. O Aba Abdul Rahman! Fear Allah and do not refrain from assisting me."
Event 1
The narrator says, “The people of Kufa heard the news of the dignified arrival of Imam Husayn (a.s.) in Mecca and his denial to give allegiance to Yazeed.
Many people gathered in the house of Sulaiman Ibn Surad Khozaei.”
Sulaiman stood up, gave a sermon and at the end of his speech said: "Oh Shias! You know that Muawiyah has died and is getting the recompense of his deeds. He has nominated his son, Yazeed, on the throne of kingdom." Here is Husayn (a.s.) who has refused to confirm him, and he has migrated to Mecca, due to the rebellious Ommayides. You are the followers of him and his father. Today he needs your help. So think over. If you can fight with him against his enemy, then inform him. Otherwise if you are lazy, disunited, and fearful then do not capture him in deception and complacency.
Then they wrote the following letter to Imam Husayn (a.s.) and dispatched it:
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Submitted respectfully to Imam Husayn Ibn Ali Amirul Momineen (a.s.), from Sulaiman Ibn Surad Khozaei, Musayyab Ibn Najbah
, Rafah Ibn Shaddad
, Habib Ibn Mozahir
, and Abdullah Ibn Vail
and his other Shias (followers):
Peace of Allah be upon you. Praise is for Allah Who defeated the enemy of you and your father, i.e. one who was selfish, arrogant and jealous oppressor, who forcibly snatched the right of this Ummah, and deprived them from their rights; one who became sovereign without the consent of the community, who killed the good people and kept the evil ones and mischief-mongers alive and handed over the public treasury to the rebels and dictators, and thus we wish that he would have been driven away from the mercy of Allah, like the people of Thamnjd. Now we do not have any leader except you. So please come to us, so that Allah may gather us for truth through you. Here, Noman Ibn Bashir
(the governor) has remained alone in the government palace, and we are not on his side in Friday pray and other ceremonies.
If we come to know that you are coming toward us, we shall drive him out to Syria (Sham)
. Blessings and greetings to you inadvance, O son of the holy Prophet, and may Allah have mercy on you and on your father, and there is no strength and might except that of Allah, the High and the Great. They sent this letter.
After two days, the people dispatched through another group 150 letters, which were signed by one, two, three, or four persons… all of them requested the arrival of the Imam to Kufa. The Imam delayed response and did not reply to those letters. Then once he got 600 letters. Letters came constantly, and exceeded to 12000 letters. The latest Kufian couriers were Hani Ibn Hani as Sabiee,
and Saeed Ibn Abdullah al- Hanafi
, who brought the following letter and it, was the last letter from the people of Kufa:
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
To Husayn son of Amir ul-Momineen Ali (a.s.) from his Shias, and the Shias of Amir ul-Momineen (a.s.)
Now, all people are waiting for you, and they have none other than you, in their mind, for leadership. So please hurry. Make haste, Oh son of the holy Prophet. The gardens and field are green and full of fruits. The ground is full of grass and trees with sprouting branches and leaves. When your intention accrues, do come here so that you may lead the army which is ready.
Salutation on you and your father in advance.
Husayn (a.s.) asked Hani and Saeed, "Whose letter is this?"
They replied: Shabas Ibn Rabaee
, Hajar Ibn Abjar
, Yazeed Ibn Harith
, Yazeed Ibn Raveem, Urwah Ibn Qais
, Umar Ibn Hajjaj
, and Muhammad Ibn Amir Ibn Atarad
.
It is narrated that, at that time, Imam got up and prayed between Rukn and Maqam, and wished good affairs from Allah. Then he called Muslim Ibn Aqil
and acquainted him with the situation. He sent the reply to Kufa through him, wherein he had mentioned his intention to go to Kufa.
The text of the letter was: “I am dispatching my cousin Muslim Ibn Aqil to you, so that he may convey to me your opinion and views.”
Muslim went with the Imam’s letter and reached Kufa. As the people knew about the Imam’s letter and his program, they were pleased with the arrival of Muslim. They invited Muslim to stay in the house of Mukhtar Ibn Abi Ubaidah Thaqafi
, and the Shias began to come to that place. When the people gathered around Muslim, he read the Imam’s letter. 18000 persons paid allegiance to him. Abdullah Ibn Muslim al-Bahili, Ammarah Ibn Walid, and Umar Ibn Sa’ad
wrote a letter to Yazeed, informing him about Muslim Ibn Aqil and the situation in Kufa. They advised him to dismiss Noman Ibn Bashir and replace him by someone else.
Yazeed wrote to Ubaidullah Ibn Ziyad
, the Governor of Basra
, "We gave you the governorship of Kufa (in addition to Basra)." He informed him about Muslim Ibn Aqil’s affair, and ordered that he should be arrested and killed. Ubaidullah prepared to move towards Kufa.
Husayn (a.s.) wrote a letter to the nobles of Basra, and sent it through one of his friends, Sulaiman Abarzin
, and invited them to assist him. He reminded them of their responsibility to obey the Imam. This group included Yazeed Ibn Masood Nahsali and Munzir Ibn Jarood Abdi.
Yazeed Ibn Masood gathered Bani Tamim, Bani Hanzala, and Bani Sa’ad and told them, "O Bani Tamim! How do you find my character, condition, and family, and nobility among you?" They said, "Well, very good! You are the pillar and head of every excellence, the center of nobility, and in the forefront of eminence." He said, "I have called you for obtaining your opinion and assistance in my affairs." They replied, "By Allah! We will do our best to express our view. Tell us, so that we may know."
He said: "Certainly Allah has dragged Muawiyah into disgrace and destruction, and has removed his mark. It was he who opened the floodgates of sin and oppression, and it was he who laid the foundation of tyranny. He imposed the allegiance of his son on the people by force, and imagined that he had established him firmly state. Woe unto what he intended. He made an effort and failed. He called for advice and did not get support. Now his son, Yazeed, the drunkard and he who heads every evil and sin, claims to be the caliph of Muslims, and wants to be their ruler without their consent and approval. This is, while he does not know the path of truth, because of his being weak in knowledge and tolerance. I believe that war and fight against Yazeed is more urgent than war against polytheists."
And here is Husayn Ibn Ali, son of the dear daughter of the holy Prophet (S), who enjoys nobility, dignity, and wisdom. His distinction is beyond the ability of the pen to write, and the tongue to speak. He is an ocean of know- ledge, which has no shore. He is the suitable person for the post of caliphate. He enjoys a brilliant record, an age full of experience, a glorious background, and honorable kinship. He is very affectionate to the youngsters and kind to the elders. How nice it would be if people had a leader like him, and if he had become the Imam of the Ummah. Allah has made his plea incumbent and his sermon very audible.
Do not run away from the Divine Radiance, and do not grope in dark- ness of falsehood. It was Sakhr Ibn Qais
who brought on you the dis- grace of not participating in Jamal war. Today you may clean that blot by rising help to the son of the holy Prophet (S). By Allah anyone who refrains from helping him, Allah has prepared humiliation and shortage for him and his family. And now behold! I am the one who has worn the dress of war and have put on the armor. Now the one who is not martyred will die, and the one, who flees, will certainly meet death.
May Allah have mercy on you. Give me a good response. Banu Hanzala said, We always have been the arrows of your bow, and the horsemen of your family. If you come out for a fight along with us you will be victorious and conqueror. If you see difficulties, again we will be with you, and will help you with our swords and will protect you at the cost of our lives. So rise up for whatever you wish.
The Banu Sa’ad got up to speak and said, "O Aba (father of) Khalid: The most inappropriate deed, in our eyes, is to oppose you and to disobey your command and opinion. If Sakhr Ibn Qais has ordered us to give up war he has eulogized us, and our honor, and pride has remained intact as before. Please permit us to consult one another so that we may convey to you the outcome.”
Thereafter Banu Amer Ibn Tamim spoke, “O, Aba Khalid! We are sons of your father, and your confederates. If you become angry then we do not like to remain happy and silent. If you march we shall not sit at home. Every command of yours is right. So call us up so that we may respond, and give order to us so that we may obey. Issue order whenever you wish. It is only up to you.”
He said, "O Banu Sa’ad! If you will obey the command, then Allah will not deprive you from power and the sword. It will always remain in your hand." Thereafter, a letter was written accordingly (unanimously) to the Imam (a.s.):
Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem
I have been honored by your graceful letter and I have come to know about its contents; wherein you have summoned me, and have invited me that I should profit from your obedience and become fortunate by helping your honor. The Almighty Allah never keeps the world without the one who does well and who guides towards salvation. You are Allah’s perfect Sign for the entire creation and His Trust on earth. Yes, you are the fruitful branches of the Prophetic Olive tree, which was planted by the holy Prophet (S). The highflying bird acquires its graceful flying through your holy hand. I have made Bani Tamim subservient to you, and they are your total and perfect followers. They are rushing to you for obeying you, just as a thirsty camel rushes towards water. I hand over to you the obedience of Bani Sa’ad and have washed away the internal dirt from their souls so thoroughly that it shines nicely before every eye to observe.
After reading this letter Imam Husayn (a.s.) said: May Allah protect you on the Frightful day (Hereafter), and gratify you on the Day of terrible thirst.
Ibn Masood Nahsali had just made preparations to move towards Imam Husayn (a.s.) when he got the news of Hazrat’s martyrdom. As he could not get the opportunity of helping the Imam, he got restless.
Munzir Ibn Jarood handed over the message of Imam Husayn (a.s.) and the messenger to Ubaidullah Ibn Ziyad because he feared that he could be a spy of Ubaidullah and Bahriya, daughter of Munzir, was wife of Ubaidullah. Ubaidullah hanged the messenger, and gave a speech warn- ing the people against revolting and fanning troublesome news. The next morning Ubaidullah assigned his brother Uthman Ibn Ziyad in his office in Basra, and he himself rushed to Kufa.
Spending that evening near Kufa, he entered the city at night. People imagined that Husayn (a.s.) had arrived. So they became happy and rushed to greet him. But on seeing Ibn Ziyad they dispersed. Ibn Ziyad went to the Government House. He stayed there overnight. Next morn- ing he went to the mosque and through his speech warned people against disobeying the ruler, and promised rewards for obedience.
When Muslim Ibn Aqil got this news he feared identification. So got out of Mukhtar’s house and went to the house of Hani bin Urwah. Hani gave him a good welcome. Shias began to meet him at the house of Hani. Ibn Ziyad planted his spies over them. When Ibn Ziyad came to know that Muslim was in Hani’s house, he summoned Muhammad Ibn Ash’ath
, Asma Ibn Kharja
, and Amr bin Hajjaj and asked, "What is the matter? Why is Hani not coming to meet me?" They said, "We do not know. It is said that he is ill."
He said: "I have heard that he has now recovered and that he sits at the door of his house. If we know that he is not well we may go to see him. Go to him and remind him not to ignore our due right. Since he is a noble Arab, I do not like that he should be charged with corruption."
They went to Hani, stayed there with him and asked him: "What happened, why not you go to see the Amir (Ibn Ziyad)? He has re- membered you saying, If I know that he is ill. I may go to see him." Hani said: Illness prevented me.
They said, “He has heard that you have recovered and that you sit at the door of your house in the evening. The ruler will not tolerate this drawback and disloyalty, especially from someone like you. You are a nobleman of your community. We ask under oath to get up, take a ride and come along with us to him.”
Hani put on his dress and rode on his animal. On reaching the palace, Hani was fearful and said to Hassan bin Asma Ibn Khariji, “O my nephew! By Allah, I fear this man. What do you think?” He said: “O uncle! Do not be afraid. I do not feel worry about you.” (Hassan did not know what was going on behind the curtain and why Ibn Ziyad had sent him to Hani). Hani went to Ubaidullah along with other companions.
Seeing Hani, Ubaidullah said: Dishonesty has dragged him to you (it is an Arabic proverb). Then he looked at Qazi Shureih
who was sitting by his side, pointed towards Hani and recited the following couplets of poet of Madi Karb Zubedi
.
I desired life for him, and he wanted death for me.
This is meant by the excuse of your friend.
Hani said: What has happened to the Amir?
Ibn Ziyad said, “Shut up, O Hani! What is going in your house against Amir-ul- Momineen and the Muslims? You brought Muslim Ibn Aqil in your premises, and you are gathering fighters and arms for him there?”
Hani said: I have done nothing.
Ibn Ziyad: Call my servant, Ma’qqal.
This Ma’qqal was a spy of Ibn Ziyad who knew many secret of Hani’s house. Ma’qqal came and stood near Ibn Ziyad. When Hani saw Ma’qqal, he understood that he was Ibn Ziyad’s spy, said, "By God! Neither I had called him to my house nor did I invite him to rise in revolt. But he took shelter in my house. I felt ashamed in refusing shelter. This sheltering made me responsible for him. I gave him protection. Now since you have known this matter let me go and relieve him from my house so that he may go wherever he likes and that my responsibility is over."
Ibn Ziyad said: "No, by Allah. You cannot leave here until you hand over Muslim to me."
Hani: "No, by Allah. I will never do such a shameless thing. I cannot hand over my guest to you so that you kill him."
Ibn Ziyad: "By Allah, you must deliver him." Hani: "I will never do so."
Event 2
Dialogue between them prolonged. Muslim Ibn Amr Bahli got up to say: If the Amir allows I may talk to Hani in privacy. Both went aside in such a way that Ibn Ziyad could see them. When their talk became loud Ibn Ziyad also heard it.
Muslim told Hani: "O Hani, I administer oath of Allah to you. Do not kill yourself, and do not put your tribe in trouble. I am afraid you will be killed. This man, Muslim Ibn Aqil is the cousin of Ibn Ziyad. He will never be harmed or killed by them. Hand him over to them as this deed will not cause any disgrace or loss to you, since you will be handing him over to the ruler.”
Hani said: By Allah, it is disgrace on my part if I hand over my refugee, my guest, and the representative of the son of the holy Prophet to his enemy, shile my hands are powerful and I have many friends. Even if I were alone and without helpers, I would not hand him over until I sacrifice my life for him.
Bahli administered him an oath. But Hani declined emphatically.
Ibn Ziyad, who heard these words said, “Bring him to me. So he was brought near him.”
Ibn Ziyad said: “By Allah. I say, hand him over. Otherwise I will behead you.”
Hani replied: “Then light of the edges of swords will light up around your palace.”
Ibn Ziyad said: “Woe unto you. Do you threaten me with your sword?” Hani thought that his tribesmen had heard his voice. Ibn Ziyad said: Bring him close to me. Then he beat him up on his head, face, nose and cheeks with his whip so much that his nose broke and flesh fell off his face, and blood rolled over his clothes. The whip was also broken.
Hani stretched out his hands and took hold of the handle of the guard’s sword to snatch it and to attack. The guard caught him. Ibn Ziyad shouted: Hold him. They grabbed him and dragged and imprisoned him in one of the palace rooms, and closed its door. Ibn Ziyad also ordered posting of warders to watch him.
Asma Ibn Kharja or Hassan Ibn Asma rose up and said: "Deceptive in- deed was today. O Amir! You asked us to bring this man to you. Now when he arrived you broke and disfigured his face, and colored his beard with blood and tried to kill him." Ibn Ziyad became angry at his words and said: You are also from him. On his order, they beat him up, chained him and jailed him in a corner of the palace. He exclaimed: Inna lillah wa inna ilaihi Rajeoon. O Hani! I offer you condolences.
The narrator says: Amr bin Hajjaj heard that Hani was killed. Raviha, daughter of Amr was Hani’s wife. Amr came to government Palace along with the entire tribe of Mizhaj. He shouted: I am Amr Ibn Hajjaj, and all these are the warriors of Mizhaj, and its leading personalities. We have not left obedience and we do not want disintegration in the com- munity. We have got news that our chief Hani has been killed. Ibn Ziyad understood the reason of the assembly of those people. He asked (Judge) Shureih to call on Hani, and to inform the community about his being safe. Shureih (who was a liar Judge) did so, and the gathering became glad and returned.
Muslim Ibn Aqil got this news. So he stood up along with his friends to fight against Ibn Ziyad. They surrounded the palace of Ibn Ziyad. Ibn Ziyad was besieged in his palace. The battle began between the army of Ibn Ziyad and the army of Muslim.
The companions of Ibn Ziyad who were with him inside the palace, warned the friends of Muslim against war and asked them to fear the Syrian army. This condition continued till nightfall.
When night fell, the friends of Muslim left him and talked to one another: "What can we do for this sedition that has come on us so rapidly? It is better to remain in our houses, and leave these two parties to themselves until Allah improves their affairs." Except ten persons from his friends no one remained with Muslim. He went to the mosque to offer evening prayers. The last ten also dispersed.
When Muslim saw such a situation, he moved alone in the Bazar and streets of Kufa, until he reached and halted at the door of the house of a lady named Tooa. He asked for water and she provided it. Then he sought shelter which also she extended. Tooa’s son knew this and he in- formed Ibn Ziyad. Ibn Ziyad summoned Muhammad Ibn Ashath and sent him with soldiers to arrest Muslim. As Muslim heard the noise of the horse hooves, he put on the war dress, mounted a horse and proceeded to fight with the enemy.
Muslim, who was a brave man, killed a number of enemies. The sword in his hand moved in such a way that people remembered the wielding of Zulfiqar in the hand of Haider Karrar Ali (a.s.).
Muhammad Ibn Ashath cried. “O Muslim. You are given amnesty.”
Muslim replied: "The amnesty offered by you liars, and misdoers does not have any value."
Then he renewed fighting and recited the lyric poem of Humran bin Malik Khasami:
I have vowed not to die but as a free man, even if death looks ugly.
I dislike cheat and fraud or the mixture of cool and palat able drink with hot and bitter substance. Every man must once m eet with hardship and trouble. I shall strike you, I am not afraid of harm and loss.
They said: “Our words are not deceitful.”
Muslim did not care. He continued his constant attacks. Then the enemy rushed to him collectively. He became very weak due to frequent wounds. A man hit him with his spear from behind, whereby Muslim fell down and was captured.
When they took him to Ibn Ziyad, Muslim did not salute him. The guard said: Salute the commander.
Muslim replied: You shut up. Woe unto you. He is not my commander.
Ibn Ziyad said: Salute me or not, you will be killed.
Muslim told him: “It is no wonder if you kill me, as there were people worst than you who killed men better than me. If you cut my body in the worst way, it would only expose your inner dirt and meanness; as such crimes have been imbibed in your nature.”
Ibn Ziyad said: "O disobedient and mischief-maker! Having left the chief, you have broken the power of the Muslims and are now creating trouble."
Muslim: "O Ibn Ziyad! You have lied. It was Muawiyah and his son Yazeed who broke the strength of the muslims. With regards to trouble, it is you and your father Ziyad, bondsman of Bani Allaj of Thaqeef
, who is the real germ of every hypocrisy and mischief. I hope Allah will grant me martyrdom through the hand of the most corrupt person!”
Ibn Ziyad said: You desired something which Allah withdrew it from you and granted it to the deserving one.
Muslim asked: "O son of Marjana! Who deserves it?"
Ibn Ziyad: "Yazeed bin Muawiyah."
Muslim replied: "Thanks to God! I am pleased with Allah’s Judgment between you and us." Ibn Ziyad said: "Do you think that you have a right in caliphate?"
Muslim replied: "No doubt, I am certain of it."
Ibn Ziyad: "Tell me, why did you come to this peaceful city and caused conflicts among its residents and disturbed their affairs?"
Muslim said: "I did not come to do any- thing like that. But it is you who uplifted evils, buried virtues, and imposed yourself on people without their consent. You dragged people against Allah’s commandments. You are ruling the people like those dictators. We came to order good and prohibit evil, and make people to follow the Book of Allah and, as averred by the holy Prophet (S) this responsibility suits us."
Ibn Ziyad (may God’s curse overtake his soul) began to curse Muslim, Ali, Hasan and Husayn.
Muslim said: "It is you and your father who are the worst of the people. O enemy of Allah! Do whatever you like."
Ibn Ziyad ordered Bukair Ibn Umran, the malicious and the accursed one, to take Muslim to the top of the palace and kill him.
They took Muslim upstairs, who engaged himself in words of prayers and seeking Allah’s rewards for the holy Prophet (S). Then they decapitated him and came down fearful and trembling. Ibn Ziyad asked: "What is happening to you?"
He said: "While killing him, I saw a black colored and ugly faced man standing in front of me, who was biting his nails - or biting his lips -I was not afraid like that ever before."
Ibn Ziyad: "Perhaps you are frightened." Then he ordered for killing of Hani Ibn Urwah. They took him for execution while he was shouting: O Mazhaja, where are Mazhajis? And where are our tribesmen and relatives?
The executers said: Raise your head.
Hani said: I am not generous in giving away my own life and will not help you in assassinating me. Ibn Ziyad’s slave, Rashid, hit at his neck and killed Hani.
About the martyrdom of Muslim and Hani, Abdullah Ibn Zubair Asadi
(according to another statement, Farazdaq
recited thus:
If you do not know what death is, then look at Hani and the son of Aqil in the market field;
Tha t brave man whose face was disfigured with a sword and another one who was fell from the top of a wall;
These two were crushed under the feet of oppression and yet their names are on the tongues of everyone;
You see a body that death changed its color and blood that continues to gush from it;
This is the young courage ous man, whose modesty is higher than the modesty of a chaste young girl;
His power strong er than the power of a double edged sharpened sword;
Is there anyone else who sits so comfortably on a horse? Now Mizhaj forgets him totally;
The one whom everyone was ready to obey;
If you have no guts to avenge the blood of your brothers;
Then play music for a while, with the bastards.
The narrator says: Ubaidullah Ibn Ziyad conveyed to Yazeed the news about Muslim and Hani. In response, Yazeed appreciated his job and thanked for it. He also informed Ubaidullah about Husayn's intention of moving towards Kufa, and ordered him to arrest, imprison and kill any suspicious person.
Imam Husayn (a.s.) left Mecca on Tuesday, the 3rd or 8th of Zilhajj 60 A.H., that is, on the day of Muslim’s martyrdom. Abu Ja’far bin Muhammad bin Jurair Tabari Imami
in his book Dalail Al-Imamah
says: "Abu Muhammad Sufyan Ibn Waqee
from his father Waqee,
from A’mash
(his uncle), from Abu Muhammad Waqidi and Zurarah Ibn Khalaj
- We met Husayn (a.s.) three days prior to his movement towards Iraq
. We informed him about the weakness of the Kufians, and that their hearts were with him, but their swords were against him."
Imam Husayn (a.s.) pointed his blessed hand towards the sky. The gates of the sky opened and innumerable angels, whose number is not known to anyone except the Almighty Allah, came down.
Imam (a.s.) said: If it was not for the causality in this world and had not the fixed time (death) arrived, I would fight them with these powers. But I know, with certainty, that the place of the martyrdom of me and my companions is there, from where none, but my son Ali would be saved.
It is mentioned in narrations that when Imam Husayn (a.s.) wanted to proceed towards Iraq, he stood up and gave a sermon and said:
All praise is for the Almighty Allah, and only His will prevails; power and strength is not available except from Allah (sustenance too is only from Him); may Allah’s mercy be upon His revered messenger (and his progeny), may Allah shed His peace on him. The adoration of death on the son of Adam is like the adoration of a necklace on the neck of a maiden.
My longing to meet my predecessors (my grandfather, father, mother, and brother) is like the longing of Jacob to meet Joseph. A place for my killing has already been selected where I must reach. As if I see those wild wolves tearing apart pieces of my body between Nawawees
and Karbala.
How many stomachs shall be filled with me [my flesh and blood] and how many leather bags stuffed with my stuff?
There is no escape from what has been inscribed on the state of destiny. We, the holy Ahlul Bayt have considered the happiness of Allah as our happiness, and we per- form His tests patiently. He grants us the reward of the patient ones. Part of the prophet gets separated from him but that it returns to him in Hazeerat-ul-Quds, whereby his eyes become bright and His promise fulfilled. Whosoever wished to shed and sacrifice his life on our path and feels gratification of soul in meeting Allah may get ready to march with us, as we are to move next morning, Insha’Allah.
Muhammad Ibn Dawood Qummi
narrates from Abi Abdullah (a.s.) who said: During the night by the end of which Husayn (a.s.) decided to leave Mecca, Muhammad Ibn Hanafiya
went to the Imam and said: O my brother! The disloyalty of the people of Kufa to your father and your brother is known to you. I am afraid they will do to you what they had done earlier. If you stay in holy city- Mecca- your respect, honor, and magnanimity would be apparent.
Imam replied: “My brother! I fear that Yazeed Ibn Muawiyah may assassinate me in the limits of the holy Sanctuary, thereby violating its sanctity.”
He said: “In view of it you may go towards Yemen or proceed towards the desert. As your dignity is higher than everyone, nobody will touch you.”
He replied: “I consider your proposal.”
Next morning Husayn (a.s.) became ready to move. Muhammad Ibn Hanafiya got the news. He rushed to Imam, and held the rein of his camel saying: Didn’t you promise to think over my suggestion?
He said: "Yes, I did." He submitted: "Then why are you so hurry for moving?"
Imam said: When you left, the holy Prophet (S) appeared to tell me, "O Husayn! Leave this place. Allah certainly Wills to see you slain."
He exclaimed: "Inna lillahe inna ilaihe rajeoon. If it is so what is the use of taking the womenfolk with you?" Husayn (a.s.): "The holy Prophet said: Allah desires to see them in the apparel of captives. Then he said farewell and departed."
Thereafter Husayn (a.s.) continued his journey until he reached Tanim.
There he came across a caravan led by Baheer Ibn Ressan Hamiri, the governor of Yemen, who was carrying gifts for Yazeed. Husayn (a.s.) took the gifts in the authority of Wilayat and told the cameleers: Whoso- ever wishes may come to Iraq with us and enjoy our company. We will completely pay his fare. Those who do not want (to accompany us) their fare will be paid [by us] up to this place.
A group accompanied the Imam. The rest of them refrained from doing so. Imam (a.s.) went on until he reached Zat-e-Irq
and saw Boshr Ibn Ghaleb
, who had arrived from Iraq and inquired about the situation over there.
He said: "When I left them their hearts were with you while their swords were serving Bani Umayyah." The Imam (a.s.) said: O brother Asadi! You are right. Verily Allah does what He wants, and He commands what He intends. The narrator says, "Imam continued to move till he reached Thalabiya
, and it was noon time. Imam put his blessed head down, took a light sleep and got up and said: I dreamt that a secret voice was telling me, "You are en route and death will take you to Paradise." His son Ali said: "O dear father! But are we not on the right path?"
He replied: "Why not my son? By the One to Whom all have to return, we are." He replied: "Then we have no fear from death."
Husayn (a.s.): "May Allah gives you the best reward, which He gives to every child from his father." Imam passed that night there.
Next morning a Kufian man, Abu Hirra Azdi, came to Imam and saluted him. Then he said: "O son of the Prophet of Allah! What did bring you out of the Sanctuary of Allah and the Sanctuary of your grandfather, the Prophet of Allah?"
Husayn (a.s.) said: "O Aba Hirra! When the Umayyides grabbed my property I remained patient. When they demanded my blood I fled. By Allah, this traitor and rebel group will definitely kill me, and Allah will surely make them wear clothes of disgrace, and will make the sword rule over them."
Event 3
Then Imam (a.s.) marched forward. Narrating the event, some people of Bani Fazarah and Bajilah said, "We were returning from the journey of Mecca with Zohair bin Qain
. We met Imam Husayn (a.s.) on the way and were not pleased to see some women accompanying Imam (a.s.).
Whenever Imam intended to camp, we put our camp with a distance. Once Imam descended at a place where we were also obliged to stay at the same spot. When we were eating lunch, the emissary of Imam Husayn (a.s.) arrived and saluted us.
Then he told Zohair Ibn Qain, “Imam has called you.” All of us left the food and became motionless.
Zohair’s wife, Delam, daughter of Amr
told him: "All praise is to Allah. How strange! The son of the Holy Prophet (S) summons you, and you do not respond? What would happen, if you go and listen to Imam?"
Zohair approached Imam and soon returned with a happy and bright face. Then he gave instructions for pulling down the tent and stable, and then joined Imam Husayn (a.s.) with his luggage tent.
Then Zohair told his wife: "You are divorced my dear wife, because I do not want you to see in our common life anything but welfare and comfort. I have decided to remain in the service of Imam, and to sacrifice my body and soul for him. Then he gave his property to her, and dispatched her to her family with one of her cousins.”
While leaving her husband, the woman got up and said, “Allah may grant good to you. I request you to remember me when you meet the grandfather of Husayn (a.s.) in the Hereafter.”
Then he (Zohair) said to his friends, "Anyone wants to be with us may do so. Otherwise, this is our last meeting."
When Husayn (a.s.) reached the terminal of Zubala
the news of the martyrdom of Muslim reached him. When this news spread, the materialists and those who were seeking money and were greedy left Imam, and those who were the faithful and wise companions, remained with him.
The narrator said that the news of the martyrdom of Muslim was shocking and tears rolled from the eyes of onlookers.
Then Husayn (a.s.) moved towards the place where Allah had summoned him and encountered Farazdaq. After saluting Imam, Farazdaq asked: “O son of the Prophet! How do you trust the Kufi people who killed your cousin?”
Tears rolled from the holy eyes of Imam Husayn (a.s.) when he said: "May Allah have mercy on Muslim. He made his way towards Allah’s pleasure and paradise. He fulfilled his duty, and our responsibility still remains."
Thereafter he recited the following couplets:
If the world is considered a Precious thing;
Then the reward from Allah is more precious and valuable;
And if bodies have been created for death;
Then martyrdom in the path of Allah is higher and better; And if provision has already been destined;
Then how nice is it to be less greedy in searching it;
And if the treasured property has to be left behind;
Then why man should be stingy in spending the wealth which has to be left?
It is narrated that Husayn (a.s.) wrote a letter to Sulaiman bin Surad, Musayyab bin Najba, Rafaah bin Shaddad, and some of the Shias of Kufa, and sent it through Qais bin Mosahar Saidawi
. When Qais approached Kufa he was stopped by Ibn Ziyad’s official Haseen bin Namir
. He began to inquire of him. Qais tore the letter of Imam and destroyed it. Haseen sent him to Ibn Ziyad.
When he was taken to Ibn Ziyad he asked, "Who are you?"
Qais said, "I am one of the friends of Amirul Momineen and his son."
Ibn Ziyad said, "Why did you tear the letter?"
Qais replied, "So that you may not know what was written in it."
Ibn Ziyad: "Who had written it and to whom?"
Qais: "From Husayn (a.s.) to a group of Kufis whose names I do not know."
Ibn Ziyad became angry and said, “By Allah. I will not let you go until you give me their names, or stand up on the pulpit and curse Husayn and his father and brother. Otherwise I will cut you into pieces.”
Qais replied, “I will never tell their names. But with regards to condemnation, I have no objections.”
Then Qais went to pulpit, praised Allah, gave salutations to the holy Prophet (S), pleaded for mercy of Allah on Ali and his sons, and condemned Ibn Ziyad, his father and likewise all the stubborn fellows of Umayyids upto the last of them.
Thereafter he said: “O people! I am the messenger of Husayn (a.s.) to you. I left him at such and such point. Accept him and respond to his call (invitation).”
This news reached Ibn Ziyad. He ordered that Qais to be thrown away from the top of his palace wall. Thus he was martyred.
The news of the martyrdom of Qais reached Imam Husayn (a.s.). Tears rolled from his blessed eyes. He said: “O Lord! Provide holy and honorable abodes for our companions and us and bring them and us under the cover of Your mercy, as You are Mighty over everything.”
The narrator says: Husayn (a.s.) traveled upto a place two stations from Kufa, when he confronted Hurr Ibn Yazeed
, who was with one thousand riders.
Husayn (a.s.) said to Hurr: "Are you with us or against us?"
Hurr replied: "Rather, O Aba Abdillah, against you."
Husayn (a.s.): "La Hawla wala quwwata illa billahil a’liyyil a’zeem (There is no Power nor Strength but what is granted by the Almighty Al- lah.)"
There was a lengthy conversation between them and at the end Imam Husayn (a.s.) said: "Now that you are acting different from your writings and messages, I would return to the place from where I have come." Hurr and his army opposed this proposal and prevented him. Hurr said: "O son of the Prophet! Take a route, which would lead neither to Kufa nor to Medina, so that I may say to Ibn Ziyad, as an excuse, that your way was different from us."
Imam (a.s.) continued his journey towards left till he reached Azib-ul- Hajanat
.
It is said that at that place, the order of Ibn Ziyad reached Hurr, rebuking Hurr for his soft attitude towards Husayn (a.s.), and he was ordered to harass and inconvenience the Imam (a.s.). Hurr came in the way of Imam and prevented him from proceeding further. Husayn (a.s.) said: "Did you not demand a change in my route?"
Hurr replied: “Of course, but here is the letter of the Amir, which orders me to tighten the path for you. He has appointed spies over me so that I should obey his command.”
The narrator says: Husayn (a.s.) stood up in front of his friends to give an address. After praising Allah, he mentioned his grandfather and invoked blessings on him and said, “You can see the situation. The world has changed. It is showing its ugly face to us, and holding back its goodness. Nothing has remained from it, but just a sip at the bottom of a glass. Life appears to be mean and baseless, just like unpalatable grassland. Don't you see that truth has been deserted, and falsehood is practiced? How nice if a faithful would long to meet his God (through a martyrdom in His path). It is so because I do not see death but prosperity, and living with the oppressors nothing but condemnation.”
Then Zohair Ibn Qain stood up and said, “May Allah keep us steadfast on the path of guidance and in your service. We heard your words. If we are to continue living in the world, we prefer to follow you in any situation.”
Hilal bin Nafe Bajli
rose from his place and said, “By Allah, we do not see meeting our God unpalatable, and we are always steadfast in our intentions and insight. We are friends of your friend, and enemies of your enemy.”
Then Burair Ibn Haseen
Khuzair stood up and submitted: “O son of the holy Prophet (S)! By Allah, He has favored us by keeping us in your company, so that our bodies get torn into pieces, and your grandfather may be the intercessor for us in the Hereafter.”
Thereafter Husayn (a.s.) rode and moved on. The army of Hurr sometimes obstructing him and sometimes moving with him until Imam reached Karbala. It was the 2nd of Muharram. Then he asked: “What is the name of this place?”
It was said: “Karbala.”
Imam said: “Get down because this is the place for our camping, and for the flowing of our blood. This is the land of our shrines. By Allah, this is the place where our womenfolk will be taken captives, and my grandfather has given this news to me.”
All came down. Hurr also descended aside along with his army. Husayn (a.s.) sat to sharpen his sword and said:
Woe unto you O world! What a bad friend you are;
And how muc h was for you every night and every morn! ; How many of your seekers have been killed;
But it is this world, which does not show contentment;
Verily every affair is with the Lord, and every living one has a path before him;
How near is the promised time for moving towards Allah's Paradise!
It is narrated that Zainab
, daughter of Fatima (s.a.), heard those words and exclaimed, “O my brother! These are the words of one who is certain about his death!” Husayn said: “Yes, my sister.”
Zainab: "O, God! Husayn gives me news of his own death."
It is said that the women wept and beat their faces.
Umm Kulthum
cried out: "O? Muhammada…!"
Husayn (a.s.) tried to calm his sister and said, “My sister, be calm by relying on Allah, since the residents of the sky do die, and the residents of the earth also do not remain in their place, and all will die, except Allah.”
Then he said: "O’ my sisters Umm Kulthum and Zainab, and you Ruqaiyah
, Fatima
, and you Rabab
!
Do not rend your collar; do not scratch your face, and do not utter unjust words after my martyrdom.”
As per another narration when Zainab heard the couplets, she was alone in her place without any lady besides her. Barefooted, with her clothes sweeping the ground, she reached her brother and said, "O? God! I wish death had liberated me from this life. It seems that today I have lost my mother Fatima Zahra, my father Ali Al- Murtadha, and my brother Hasan al-Mujtaba. O? you the successor of the deceased, and the shelter of the rest (Husayn)."
Husayn (a.s.) had a glance at his sister and said: "O my sister, do not lose patience." She replied: "May my father and mother be sacrificed for you, and so may I be sacrificed for you! Are you to attain martyrdom soon? However she swallowed choking worries." His holy eyes became tearful. Then he said: "Alas. If they had left the bird alone in repose during night, it would have fallen slept." She said: "Ah, do you put yourself in danger. Do you still injure my heart? It is very unpleasant to me. Then she rent her collar and fainted."
Imam (a.s.) got up, poured water on her face until she regained con- scious. Then he assured her, and reminded her of the death of her father and grandfather (S).
One of the probable motives which caused Husayn (a.s.) to take his fam- ily members and womenfolk with him, was that if Imam had left his family in Hijaz or in any other city, Yazeed (the cursed) would have come to know about it, and would had sent a group to arrest them, and had behaved very harshly with them. It could have prevented Husayn (a.s.) from jihad and martyrdom. It was likely that for taking care of his family and womenfolk, he might have missed attaining lofty martyrdom.
Notes
33%
Author: Sayyid Ibn Tawus
