Section IX: Imam Hussein’s movement towards Mecca

After Imam Hussein declared his final rejection of Yazid’s allegiance, he moved toward Mecca with his household and took refuge in the holy and sacredAllah’s house.Therefore, Godprovidesconfidence and security for his servants as a necessary element. Imam turned to this secure city in order to be safe from the evil and aggression of Umayyad.The historians say: Imam left there on Sunday night, two nights at the end of the month of Rajab, 60 AH, the people of Medina were distracted because the prophet’s household was leaving their city.

The convoy left Medina. It was moving fast and imam recited the word of God. Lord! Save me among the wicked. Imam likened his move to Imam Musa’s. his attempt was against the cruel king of their land, feron, in order to promote the truth and justice.

Imam selected a public method and lifestyle. Some of his companions suggested him to follow the method of “Zobeir’s son” and try to abandon the main way in order to reject some people in Medina. But imam replied simply: “I swear to God that I will never abandon this way until I visit Mecca and God orders about whatever he likes.”

Imam was satisfied about whatever God wants and nothing could weaken him in his affairs. As “Yazid ibn Mafragh” said in his poetry:

I won’t hurt the birds in dawn, because I don’t want to be called “Yazid”

That day when I am afraid of death and somebody takes care of me to not escape.

He was sure that while he has great determination, he has a good life without any suffering and humiliation in front of Yazid government. Some narrators said that he chanted:

If a man doesn’t support his women and children, he is a cheap guy.

Before Yazid achieve his goal I would accept death eagerly.

This poetry shows Imam’s enthusiastic will for death. It is acceptable everywhere, but he won’t accept Yazid’s allegiance.

Along with Abdullah ibn Moti:

In the way, Abdullah ibn Moti came to welcome Imam and said: O’ Aba Abdellah, Allah sacrifices me to you, where are you going?

– I am going to Mecca and when I arrive there I would seek good will.

– O’ the Daughter of the Messenger of Allah’s son! May God wants the best wishes for your decisions. I have a suggestion for you, accept it!

– What’s that?

– When you go to Mecca, be careful about the deception of Kufa’s people. Because your father was killed there and they hit your brother. Be the shrine attendant that you are the best of Arab in your own time. I swear to God, if you are killed, your hosehold will be destroyed with thee.

Imam thanked him and gave him a blessing. Imam’s caravan moved fast and didn’t pay attention to anything. They arrived to Mecca. When Imam saw it’s mountains said God’s speech: when he turned to Medin he said: It is hoped that my Lord guide me to the right path. The migration of the Imamtoward Mecca was similar to Mussa’s migration toward Medin. Because both of them migrated in order to fight against their king’s oppression.

On Friday night, on the first three day of Sha’aban, Imam arrived in Mecca and stayed in Abbas ibn Abd al-motaleb’s house. The people of Mecca welcomed him greatly. Every morning and evening they went to the Prophet and asked their religious questions and traditions of the prophet.

“Ibn Kathir” says: in Mecca, the people went to him and sat around him and listened to him and used it, then they wrote whatever they heard.

Imam attracted them by his spiritual attraction. The people came to him to use his knowledge.

(The Umrah pilgrims’ attention to Imam Hussein(a.s.:

Those people who came to Allah’s house from other areas, went to Imam, and asked about science and other prophet’s sayings in order to be guided in their lives.Imam didn’t spend his time without spreading social awareness through those people. Imam asked them to be awake and avoid the Umayyad policy whose aim was enslaving and humiliating the Muslims.

Local government anxiety:

Since imam’s arrival, the local government became anxious. They were afraid that imam changed there to a politicalcenter for his invitations and a place for revolution against Damascus’s government.Therefore, ‘Amr ibn SaeedAshdq “,ruler of Mecca, came to Imam while he was so distressed and said: what makes you to come here?

-I have taken refuge in the house of the Lord.

Imam had taken refuge to the Lord’s house which is so safe from oppression and violence.

Ashdagh didn’t pay attention to Imam’s speech then he wrote a letter to Yazid and informed him about Imam’s arrival to Mecca and people movement in order to Imam’s admiration and told him that it may hurt Ummaviyeh government.

Imam Hussein with Amro ibn Abbas:

When Imam Hussein came to Mecca, in that time “Abdollah ibn Abbas and Abdollah ibn Ommar” stayed there.They came to welcome him while they intended to visit Mecca. Then “Omar’s son” said:

“O’ Aba Abdellah!God bless you,fear God and you return to him at the end of your life. You know that the members of BaniUmmayeh are your enemy, now Yazid is the ruler. I am not sure that the people follow him to kill you. Because I heard that the prophet said: Hussein will be killed, if they didn’t help him, Allah would humiliate them until the Day of Resurrection.I suggest that you drop into the peace that the people arein it. Wait patiently as you previously did with Muawiyeh.Maybe God judge between you and the wicked.” Imam Hussein said: I swear allegiance to Yazid and accept his peace?!!! While the Prophet (PBUH) has said what he said about his father.

Ibn Abbass said: O’ Aba Abdellah! You were right. The prophet said: There is no relationship between Yazid and I, he will kill my son and my daughter’s son, I swear to Allah, My child does not be killed in a group of people, unless Allah makes discord between their hearts and tongues.

Ibn Abbas and Imam Hussein began to cry. Then he said to Ibn Abbass: O’ Ibn Abbass! Do you know that I am the prophet’s grandson?

Yeah, I swear to God that we knew you are the prophet’s grandson. And it is necessary that this nation help you as the ritual prayer and charity tax are necessary for them. None of them is accepted without the other.

Imam Hussein said:”are you talking anout those people who got out the prophet’s grandson? They made him anxious to not stay calm and they intended to kill him by these attempts while he worship only God and followed the prophet…”

Ibn Abbass confirmed him and said: I don’t say anything about them except they have disbelieved in Allah and His Messenger and do not go to the prayer unless they are tiered. Whoever Allah sends astray, for him you won’t find a way. God will punish these kinds of people. But you! You are an honor for the prophet; don’t think that God doesn’t know about the tyrants. There is no benefit in the wars against the prophet.

Imam Hussein confirmed him and said: “yeah! I swear to Allah!”

Then Ibn Abbass proposed his eagerness to help Imam Hussein: O’ the prophet’s son! I sacrifice for you! I think that you ask me to help you. I swear to Allah that if I fight and do my best in the wars I couldn’t compensate a small part of your endeavor for me. Now I am at your service, order me!

Ibn Ummar interrupted Ibn Abbass and said to Imam Hussein: “don’t doubt about your decision, come back to Medina. And make peace with those groups. And do not abandon your land and your grandfather. There is no use in the relationship with them. If you don’t like to swear allegiance with them you are free because Yazid may be alive for a short time.”

Ummar’s son said: I swear to Allah! God doesn’t let you do something wrong and there is no body as pure as you. I scare that the swords hurt your beautiful face. I scare that you see something in this nation which not so pleasant. So, come to Medina with us and if you do not like the allegiance you can stay at home.

Imam told him about the bad intentions of the Ummayah and said: O’ Ummar’s son! This group do not abandon me. They force me to accept the allegiance or they may kill me. Don’t you know Abdollah! This world is so worthless in which somebody brought Zakaria’s head for the BaniEsrael. While it was a good reason for them! Don’t you know Abo AbdolRahman! Isaiah seems to have done nothing in the dawn!God did nothing about them but empowers them!

This conversation showa Imam’s determination to battle with Yazid. There were two choices for him: allegiance or glorious death. Then he preferred the glorious death.

Imam Hussein’s testamentary to Ibn Abbass:

Imam Hussein read his will for ibn Abbass: O’ Abbass! You are my uncle’s grandchild. You followed the good affairs from the first times that I knew you. You accompanied my father and suggested him those affairs which contain divine reward. My father used to consult with you. So, go to Medina and let me inform of you. While the people of this land support me and follow me I stay here but if they abandon me, I will replace someones else. And I seek to Ibrahim’s speech as he was in the middle of fire: he said: God is enough for me! He is the best supporter for me! Then the fire changed to a cool place for him….