Karbala's Foundation laid:
The events of history give out a clear verdict that the series of the sufferings, the miseries and the calamities inflicted on the Ahl ul Bait (as), which culminated at one stage in the wholesale massacre of Imam Hussain (as) and his faithful devotees at Karbala, and the misfortunes and the assassinations of the other Imams and their families and their devotees, which thereafter followed up to the eleventh Imam Hasan Al-Askari (as), was inaugurated at Saqeefa. Had the people remembered the repeated declarations about Imam Ali (as), and his Ahl ul Bait (as), the world would never have witnessed the hideous scenes of the sufferings and the massacre of the Holy ones; on the other hand, today the world would have been ruled by the Men of God, and humanity had enjoyed the Godly kingdom on earth, and the human race by this time would have been united under one single brotherhood which was inaugurated by the Holy Prophet (pbuh) at Medina.
Yazid as the Caliph:
After the death of Muawiya in 60 Hijra, Yazid succeeded his father to the throne. Yazid was known to be even worse than his father and represented a real danger to the Islamic nation, for he was not a true Muslim. He was not properly educated with the teachings of Islam. And he used to drink alcohol, gamble, and commit all other sins according to historic sources. He said: "Hashimites staged a play to obtain the Kingdom. Actually, there was neither any news (from God) nor any revelation." Such a man could not be entrusted with the affairs of the nation.
The Call from the Governor:
On receipt of the letter from Yazid, Waleed, the Governor of Medina immediately called his servant and sent word inviting Imam Hussain (as) and Abdullah son of Zubair, to visit him. Imam Hussain (as) and Abdullah were in the Mosque at night time, when Waleed's servant came to them with the message inviting them to the Governor House. The moment Imam Hussain (as) heard the call from the Governor; he suddenly exclaimed that Muawiya had died.
In reply to the call Imam Hussain (as) sent word to the Governor Waleed saying, it was too late and he will visit him the next morning.
The next day Imam Hussain (as) accompanied by around thirty (30) Hashimites courageous youths visited the Governor, but reaching the entrance of the Governor's house, he told the Hashimites to stay at the door watchful and if they hear Imam Hussain (as) talking unusually loud they may get in to him.
Waleed received Holy Imam (as) with all respect and regard. Offered him the seat besides him and read out the letter he had received from Yazid and when he reached the matter asking him to send the severed head of Hussain, if Imam Hussain (as) refuses to pay allegiance. Imam Hussain (as) smiled and said:
"O Waleed! Pledge of allegiance cannot be given secretly. Invite the Muslims of Medina tomorrow and ask them if they say that I should pay allegiance to Yazid, let us then decide."
Waleed readily accepted the Holy Imam's reply but Marwan son of Al-Hakam the old enemy of Islam who was expelled by the Holy Prophet (pbuh) out of Medina, seated there, addressing Waleed said:
"Let not Hussain (as) go out of the grip now, lest the fox is out of the four walls of the court you will not approach the dust behind it. Cut off his head now and let not this unique opportunity go for, you will never get it again."
Imam Hussain (as) stood up to depart from the Governor and hearing the insulting words of Marwan, Imam Hussain (as) got angry and retorted aloud: "Woe to you, O son of a foreign women, will you cut my head off? By God, you have told a lie and showed your base origin." Then he turned to Waleed and said to him:
"O Waleed! We are the household of the Prophet (pbuh). We surely are the centre of the message, and to our house the angels descend from heaven. By us God sent his first Apostle and by us He sent the seal of the Prophets. Yazid, on the other hand, is a corrupt man, who imbibes wine, puts to death the soul which God forbids to be destroyed and declares his debauchery in public. A man like me would never give a vow of loyalty to him. But we will see about that in the morning, so will you. We will see and so will you, who is more entitled to the office of Caliphate and to receive the pledge of allegiance."
Marwan immediately got up and ran away and the Hashimites youth who stood restless and anxious, hearing the voice of the Holy Imam (as), rushed into the court with swords drawn. Imam Hussain (as) immediately commanded restraint and had not Imam Hussain (as) controlled the situation, the matter would have been settled then and there. The meeting came to an end and Imam Hussain (as) returned home and decided to leave medina.
- Religious Events [1]