KUFA, Iraq: “I am sending to you my brother, my paternal cousin and
one of the most trusted ones from my family, Muslim bin Aqeel” … these
were the words of Imam Al-Hussein (AS) written to the people of Kufa
in response to their countless letters asking the Imam to come there
for their help.
Hundreds of thousands of mourners observed the martyrdom anniversary
of Muslim bin Aqeel at his shrine in Kufa paying him rich tributes.
Muslim bin Aqeel bin Abi Talib (as) was martyred on Zilhajj 9 in
the year 60 AH in the city of Kufa where he was sent by Grandson of
Holy Prophet Muhammad (SW), Imam Hussein (AS) as his envoy to look
closely the situation before Imam’s arrival there.
While sending Muslim bin Aqeel (AS), Imam said to him: “Muslim, the
whole world knows that you are one of the bravest warriors. It is just
possible that seeing you in Kufa some people may think that our
intention is to fight Yazid. Take your two sons Muhammad and Ibrahim
with you. When they see you with such young children, they will know
that our intentions are peaceful.”
According to reports Muslim (AS)’s sons were too young that they
could not even tie up the buttons of their shirts.
On reaching Kufa, more than eighteen thousand people appeared before
Muslim and pledged their allegiance to Imam Hussein (AS) as their
Imam. Seeing this Muslim reported to Imam Hussein (AS) that he should
proceed to Kufa as situation is ok.
Amongst the people of Kufa there were many spies employed by Yazid
to report to him direct. When Yazid heard from them of the invitations
to Imam Hussein (AS) and the arrival in Kufa of Muslim bin Aqeel (AS)
he was filled with fury. He sent a message to his Governor in Basrah
Ubaydullah bin Ziyad to go to Kufa and take over the position of
Nu'amaan ibne Basheer, the governor of Kufa. Ibne Ziyad was also told
to arrest Muslim and kill him.
Arriving in Kufa on 2nd zilhajj, he addressed the people of Kufa
announcing his appointment as Yazid's governor. He then ordered them
to surrender Muslim (AS) to him. Ibne Ziyad sealed Kufa.
At this time Muslim (AS) was staying with Mukhtar (RA). Then he
moved to Hani bin Urwah’s house secretly, but Ibne Ziyad found out
where Muslim was. Hani was arrested and thrown into prison. Muslim and
his two sons left Hani's house leaving the children with Qadhi Shurayb,
a judge, and went into the desert to try and get back to Imam Hussein
(AS) to warn him not to come to Kufa. This was the seventh of zilhajj.
On the eighth (the day when Imam Hussein (AS) converted his pilgrimage
(Hajj) into off-seasonal Pilgrimage (Umra) and started his journey
from Makkah towards Iraq so to save the sanctity and honor of this
sacred place (ka’aba)), tired, hungry and exhausted Muslim knocked at
the door of a house on the outskirts of the city. A lady opened the
door. Muslim requested for a little water to quench his thirst. The
lady when she learnt who he was, invited him in and offered him
shelter for the night as she was a lover of Prophet Muhammad (SW)’s
progeny (AS). But when her son learnt that the man Ibne Ziyad was
looking for was in his mother's house, he in greed of reward gave the
information to a captain in ibne Ziyad army. Early the next morning,
five hundred soldiers surrounded the house and demanded Muslim's
surrender. Muslim came out holding his sword. Three times he drove the
enemy away. Twice Ibne Ziyad had to send in reinforcements.
After his arrest, Ibne Ziyad told Muslim (AS) that he would be
killed and asked him if he had any last wishes. Muslim said: “I owe a
debt which should be discharged by selling off my sword and armor.
Secondly I want my body to be given a proper burial. Thirdly I want a
message sent to Imam Hussein (AS) advising him not to come to Kufa.”
Ibne Ziyad agreed to the first request refusing the last two. He then
ordered Muslim (AS) to be taken to the roof of the palace to be
executed and his body thrown to the ground.
Immediately after Muslim (AS) was martyred Hani bin Urwah was dragged
to the rooftop and executed.
