THE MARTYDOM OF HAZRAT MUSLIM BIN AQEEL رضی اللہ عنہ
Immediately, Ibne Ziyaad ordered Muhammad Ibne Ashas to go
and arrest Hazrat Muslim Bin Aqeel and bring him to his court. He also sent Amr
Ibne Ubaid ul laah with him and gave in his command 70 or 80 tribesmen of the
Banu Qaies. When this group arrived at the old lady’s house and surrounded it,
some proceeded inside with swords to arrest Hazrat Imaam Muslim رضی اللہ عنہ.
He confronted them and managed to remove them from the house.
When these people saw the intensity of Hazrat Muslim’s رضی اللہ عنہ courage and bravery, some ran out of the house to be saved from his bloody sword while others ascended the roof and began to throw stones and lit sticks, at him. Seeing this cowardice style in their attacks, Hazrat Muslim emerged from the house and, with his sword in hand, he began fighting them outside, in the alley. He came to face the seventy guards [officer police] and they realized that they made a mistake to enrage a lion. He slew many of them and injured many. Hazrat Imaam Muslim رضی اللہ عنہ himself was injured in the encounter and an arrow broke his front teeth. He was bleeding from the mouth and requested a glass of water from the lady of the house. The lady respectfully handed him the glass of water and as he drank, his blood colored the water, and it became red. He placed the water on one side and remarked that it seemed as if it was not in his fate to drink the water of this world and he would quench his thirst in heaven.
Meanwhile Ibn Ziyaad ordered
that Hazrat Imaam Muslim رضی اللہ عنہ should be bought to him so Muhammad bin Asad
went and asked Imaam Muslim to accompany him to the Government Office, so as to
discuss with the Governor as to what settlement could be reached since Hazrat
Imaam Husaien was on his way also. Muhammad bin Asad assured him that Ibn
Ziyaad was seeking a peaceful solution to this difference. Hazrat Imaam Muslim said
he also sought a peaceful solution …he entered the government building whilst
reciting this Holy Qur'aan verse,
The 7th Soorah, al-Araaf, Verse 89
“Our Lord! Decide with truth between us and our people in
truth, for You are the best to decide."
As he entered the building, Ibn Ziyaad’s police were waiting
on both sides' sword drawn. They had been ordered to kill him. Some 'Ulama have
written that he spoke to Ibn Ziyaad before being assassinated. Ibn Ziyaad told
him that he was a criminal, but he would release him on condition that he
swears allegiance to Yazeed and promise to secure the pledge of allegiance from
Hazrat Imaam Husaien to this Hazrat Imaam Muslim replied that neither him nor
Hazrat Imaam Husaien رضی اللہ عنہ could swear allegiance to Yazeed and he
should do with him as he wills. Ibn Ziyaad replied that he will slay him, and
Imaam Muslim replied that he should do as he wills. The police were ordered to
take Hazrat Imaam Muslim to the roof of the Government building and slay him.
He ordered that the head of the Imaam be sent to him, and his body be thrown on
the road so as to be crushed. When the police came forward to seize him, Hazrat
Imaam Muslim رضی اللہ عنہ noticed that the building was full of people who came
to witness what was transpiring. Those who had called them to Kufaa via letter
and had sworn allegiance were also among them.
Hazrat Imaam Muslim رضی اللہ عنہ addressed them saying. ‘O
residents of Kufaa! You have betrayed us, but I order you to do three things if
you can:
1. Sell my weapons and pay off my debts, since I owe so and
so.
2. When my head is severed and sent to Ibn Ziyaad and my
body is thrown on the street, then lift up my body and give me a proper burial.
3. if you have an atom of faith left in your hearts, and an
atom of love for the Ahle Baiet, then in whatever way possible send a message
to Hazrat Imaam Husaien رضی اللہ عنہ that he should not come to Kufaa.’
Ibn Ziyaad threatened the people that they should take care
not to act upon what Imaam Muslim had requested or they would be killed, and
their children’s bodies would be raised on spears. He said to Imaam Muslim that
he would distribute his weapons amongst his men, would not bury his body but
would do with it as they please and parade it as an example to the people of
Kufaa. He said that why should Imaam Husaien be stopped from coming since they
wanted to show him what happens to rebels. Hazrat Imaam Muslim began crying
thinking of Imaam Husaien and the betrayal at Kufaa. He was dragged to the
roof.
He looked towards the province of Hijaz, containing Makkah
and Madinah, and said, ‘O my Master Husaien, رضی اللہ عنہ may you be informed
of what has happened to me. If only I had not written to you saying that all
was well in Kufa. These people have betrayed us, and I don’t know what will
happen when you arrive here.’ Whilst in this state Hazrat Imaam Muslim was
dropped down and beheaded him and he drank the nectar of Martyrdom.
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