Section VII:Yazid’s Government and Imam Hussain’s (AS) Rejection ofAllegiance

Section VII:Yazid’s Government and Imam Hussain’s (AS) Rejection ofAllegiance

“Yazid” took over the leadership of the Islamic governmentafterhis father’s death. Ashe was very younghe was not qualified enough. According to the historians, he paid considerable attention toluxury, hunting, wine, women,and hound. In addition, he was involved in prostitution and committed sins.When his father died, he was not in Damascus but he was on a hunting trip in“Hvaryon Al-sanyh”. “Zahhak ibn Qays” sent a letter of condolences on the death of his father,CaliphMu’awiya. In contrast to this news, he was also congratulatedand asked to comeimmediately to Damascustotake the helm of affairs.

When Yazid read the letter, hemoved to the capital along with a caravan of his uncles. He had long hair and a dusty face. Also, he did not wear a turban and a sword.

People came to greet him,as they werewarning his situation was critical they said “he is the nomadic whohas been chosen by Mu’awiyato control over the affairs, and Allah will askedMu’awiya about him.

Yazidwent to his father tomb, weep beside it, andsaid:

“Postman brought a letter which pierced my heart.”

“Wesaidshame on you. What is this letter all about? He said the Caliph is agoning and

taking the pain. ”

Then, an official convoy consisted ofShams (Syria)ignoble people, his uncles, and others from Umayyad dynasty accompanied him to the place of “QbatohAlkhazra’”.

Yazd’s Prelection for Syrian People

Yaziddelivered a sermon and stated that he determined and decided to enter the war against the people of Iraq. The text of which was as follows:

O, you Syrian people! Indeed, there has been pleased among you permanently andthere will be a difficult war between me and the people of Iraq.I dreamed that acreek of blood flowing between me and them.I tried to pass cross the creek but I was not able to, till Ubaidullah bin Ziyad came and passed while I was looking at him.”

Syrian people confirmed and announced their full support to him and said: “O, the commander of the faithfultake us wherever you want and fight against whoever you want we serveyou,Iraqi people know our swords in the day of Siffin.”

Yazidbecame proud of their loyalty and sincerity towards himself. Moreover, it became apparent that Yazidwould declare thewar against the Iraqi people because of their failure in giving allegiance of loyalty to him and their sympathy with Imam Hussein (AS).

With Opponents in Medina

Yazid could not toleratethe power of the opposition and disloyalty to his regime; therefore, he firmly decided to suppress them.Everything was ready,everyone obeyed him, and he controlled the state. Consequently, what was preventing him tosubdue the enemies and opponents?.The important point he was worried about was Imam Hussein (AS)as he influenced the Muslim and hehad a very high standing, he was the grandson of the owner of Divine Missionand the prince of the youth of the heaven, but Yazid did not consider his son“Zubair”as important as Imam Hussein (AS).

Strict Regulation to “Walid”

Yaziddictated strict regulationto his deputy “Walid bin A’tabeh” to force the oppositionto declare theirallegiance in Medina. He sent him two letters. The first one wasnarrated differently as follows:

1 – According to “Khawarizmi”“Then: Mu’awiya wasa servant of Allah who was cherishedand honored for his own and empowered him, then he was summoned to a convenientlocation, a merciful place, by Allah.His life was based on destiny andhis death was based on fate. He has advised me to avoid Abu Turab’sfamilybecause of their courage in shedding blood. O,Walid! Blessed and exalted Allahwill takerevengeof Uthman through Al AbuSufyan as they are assistantsof Allah and demand justice.So, whenever you receive this letter take the oath of allegiance from the people of Medina.”

This letter included the following:

A-Informingthe death of Mu’awiya toWalid.

B-Yazid’s feeling ofapprehensionat prophecy family as, his father had advised

him to beware of them.This matter is against Mu’awiya’sproclaimed testament

owning to the fact that, he had requiredhis sontorespect, honour, andpay attention

toImam Hussein (AS).

C -Acceleration in having the allegiance of the people of Medina.

Blazry narrated Yazid’s letter:

“Then: Mu’awiyaibn AbiSufyan wasa servant of Allah who was cherishedand honored for his own and empowers him, and provided him with facilities. His life was based on destiny and his death was based on fate. Allah blessed him because he lived and died in righteousness and piety, and peace! ….”

The prevailing thought is that this narration is true, as it only announced the death ofMu’awiya toWalid withoutmentioningthe demand forImam Husseinand other critics’ oath of allegiance.But according to the first narration, it would be futile to consider the following sent letter,regarding Imam Hussein’s (AS) obligation to swear allegiance.

The second letter is short and is compared to the ear of mice and there are three narrations:

Tabari and Blazary narrated itas fallows,“Then: take Hussein, Abdullah ibn Umar, and Abdullah ibn Zubayrseriously without any permission until they swear an oath of allegiance toYazid, peace.”

It is also narrated by “Yaghoubi”as: “Whenever you’ve received the letter, summon Hussein bin Ali and Abdullah ibn Zubayr andask them to swear allegiance.If they refused,decapitatethem and send their heads to me. In addition, if anyone refuses,do the same, peace.”

In the second narration, nothing was mentioned regarding the name of “Abdullah bin Umar”and it is strongly believed that his name was added to Hussainand Zubair’s son to consider himasthe opposition, and acquit him from the obvious confirmation of allegiance to Yazid.

3. “Hafiz Ibn Asaker”narrated this way: “Summon peopleto get their allegiance and initiate form the elders of Quraysh. Begin with Hussein bin Ali, becausethe commander of the faithful (Mua’wiyah) has advised me convince himand compromise with him.”

There is not anything mentioned regarding the name of Zubair and Umar’s son,as Yazid did not concern about them.We doubt about the last part of this letter, whether Mu’awiyatestatedYazid to compromise with Imam Hussein (AS) and convince him;As, Mua’wiyatook a defensive position and hatred of the prophecy of the prophet. He also performed all acts of cruelty against them which it was mentioned in previous discussions.The prevailing thought is that, this sentence is added to acquitMu’awiyaand abdicate his responsibilityconcerning his son’s committed crime against thepure relatives of the Holy Prophet.

One thing remains. Because of its smallness, the historians have described the letter as the small ear of mice. Perhaps the reason of sending this size of letter is that Yazid believed what he has ordered, killing of Hussein and Ibn al-Zubayr, would be performed by Walid. It is common that this action has an unpleasant consequence.Among that is dissatisfaction and anger among Muslims. In fact, He wanted to accuse Walidand he did not order to assassinate them. If he had ordered it, there would have been a special detailed one.

“Zryq” theservant of Mu’awiyatook over both of the letter and moved quickly. He continuedwithout stopping until he reached Yathrib. While “Abdullah ibn Sa’d ibn AbiSrh”was accompanying him, he masked so that only her eyes were visible.In the way, he faced with “Abdullah ibn Zubayr”. Abdullah asked about Mu’awiya, but he did not respond.Then he asked whether Mu’awiya died? But he did not answer. He understood and went to the Holy Prophet(PBUH) to get the news. Imam Hussain(AS) told him“I think Mu’awiyadied because last night I dreamed that his pulpit has been turned upside down and his housewas burning. I interpreted as the death of Yazid.”

Zryq came to Walid’shome and askedHajebto give him permission, he said Walid isnot here and it is not possible to see him. He shouted at him, said I have a command.Hajeb informed Walidand He allowed. Walid was sitting on a bed.When he heard the death of Mu’awiya,he became greatly distressed, sprang up, and throw himself on his bed.

Walid’s Distress

“Walid was worried about Yazid’s order, regardingthe suppression of the opposition, because he believed that it would not be easy to getthe allegiance of the people,unless they resort to violence or as Yazid had ordered decapitate them. Mu’awiya could not subordinate themwith all his political powersto swear allegiance to Yazid, then how Walid couldperform the action thatMu’awiyawas not able to.

Consultation with Marwan

Walid was wandering so he decided to consult with Marwan, the greatest of Umayyad dynasty. He recalled him. Marwan came as he was wearing a white shirt and floral bedspreads. When Walid announced him the death ofMu’awiya,he became distraught. Then, he told him theorder of Yazid, forcing opposition compelled the allegiance and in case of anywithholding decapitatethemand he asked Marwanto offer his comments and give his opinion compassionately and devotionally.

Marwan’s Comments

“Marwan” said, invited them to follow the oath of allegiance to Yazid and obeyed him,if they did, accept it. But if they refused, throw them up and decapitated them before being informed of his death. If they understand his death, they will announce their opposition and call people to obeythem, in this case I will be afraid of losing the ability to control them, except Abdullah bin Umar whowould not conflict with anyone regarding this matter….I know that Husayn ibn Ali will not agree with you on the oath of allegiance to Yazid. I swear! If I were you, I would not exchange a single word with him until I decapitate him, whatever that may be.

This matter was difficult for Walidas he was the most intellectual and purgative person of Umayyaddynasty. He came to Marwan and said, “Oh! I wish Walid was not born and nothing was mentioned. ”

Marwan ridiculed and criticized him, said: “do not become impatient.Abu Turab’stribe has been enemyup to now, they killed Caliph,Uthman ibn Affan, and then fought with the commander of faithful(Mu’awiya).

Walid becameaggressive and said: “shame on you! Talk specifically about the son of Fatima, he is the heritage of prophecy.”

They decided to summon them and havetheir consultationsfor the dominant power.