The Story of Ashura, Part 1

Yazid, Mu’awiyah’s son, was a drunkard, self-indulgent, and irreligious young man. Mu’awiyah had secured the caliphate after the Martyrdom of Ali ibn Abi Talib by force of arms. He ruled the Muslims unfairly and intended to appoint Yazid as his successor.

– “After me, my son, Yazid, must rule the Muslims.”

After the death of Mu’awiyah, Yazid sent a letter to governor of Medina.

– “Write down that if Husayn does not pay allegiance and does not accept my rule, then Walid must immediately cut off his head, and send it over to me.”

The Yazid’s envoy left Syria to see Medina’s governor, Walid ibn Utbah.

– “This is a letter from the commander of the faithful, Yazid ibn Mu’awiah.”

– “What is it, Ibn Utbah?”

– “Mu’awiah is dead.”

Imam Husayn was immersed in his prayers when Walid’s messenger met him at the Prophet’s mosque.

– “O Grandson of the Prophet! Walid ibn Utbah has summoned you. “

– “Why has Medina’s governor asked for Husayn at this time of night?”

Husayn ibn Ali, aware of Mu’awiyah’s death and cognizant of Walid’s intentions, went home to gather thirty of his kinsmen, informing them that they should arm themselves to accompany him to Walid’s palace.

Husayn told his companions to wait for him outside the palace. He went to meet Walid alone.

– “O Aba Abdillah! Allow us to come in with you in case they intended to harm you.”

– “My brother, Abu al-Fadl! It would be best you waited out here. I will call you if there is a plot.”

– “What has caused the commander to summon me at this time of night?”

– “Mu’awiyah is dead. He had appointed Yazid as the Muslims’ caliph and the Prophet’s successor. You must pay allegiance to Yazid.”

– “But Yazid is a drunkard, irreligious and ignorant youth. How will Muslims accept him as the Commander of the Faithful?”

– “There is no other way. This is Yazid’s command.”

– “Husayn! You have no option other than paying allegiance to Yazid.”

– “What’s the good of the nightly and secret allegiance? Would you not rather I paid allegiance during the day and in public?”

– “Yes; that is right.”

So the Imam convinced Walid to postpone the matter till the next day. But Marwan ibn al-Hakam, who was an enemy of the prophet’s family and a hot-tempered person, asked Walid to take the pledge of allegiance that very night and without delay.

– “If Husayn leaves now, you will never find him again. Take his pledge of allegiance now, otherwise behead him.”

Marwan tried to stop the Imam from leaving the palace, but the Imam threw him aside.

– “Will he behead me, Marwan, or will you? You are but a liar.”

This way Imam Husayn avoided pledging allegiance to Yazid that night.

– “We return now, and rely on God for whatever ensues.”

Back in the palace, Marwan reproached Walid for letting the Imam leave.

– “You did not listen to what I said. By Allah, you will never find him again.”

– “Shame on you! Are you trying to take away my faith? What punishment do you think would await me if I meet my Lord with my hands stained with the hands stained with the blood of Husayn.”

 

From the book “The story of Ashura”

By Mohammad Saeed Bahmanpour

Translated by Narges Bahmanpour