(5) Yazid's Demand for Allegiance
In the treaty which Hassan and Moawiyah signed Moawiyah had himself agreed; it was underlined The question of successor, would not be imposed But be left to Muslims as they pleased to dispose. No sooner was the said treaty signed A campaign was re-started, Ali's name to malign And to build up Yazid, against people's voice As heir to the Caliphate, the best of choice. With rise of Moawiyah, virtue was shamelessly replaced The democratic rule of Islam, was likewise displaced The oligarchal rule of heathen was triumphant The attendant vice and immorality were rampant. The wealth from his subjects, he pitilessly extracted He lavished on the mercenaries, who were fully protected They, in turn, helped to repress ruthlessly all murmuring With fraud and treachery, were smashed all rumblings.
Before he died, Moawiyah summoned his aides The oath of fealty to Yazid, he made them take This was Yazid's solitary title to the Caliphate It was assumed, as if it was his father's heritage. Cruel and treacherous was he, as notorious as his father He lacked pretence, to cloak the game of murder His depraved nature knew absolutely no pity or justice He was addicted to the vilest and grossest of vices. His friends were outcasts of both sexes He killed and tortured for pleasure and taxes Such was the Caliph, Commander of the Faithful A being, whose entire bearings, was most hateful. Husayn was in Medina; a message was received By the local governor, in an envelope sealed Obtain his allegiance, was the strict command Kill him on the spot, if he refuses the demand.
The governor was unnerved, he was perplexed To kill Husayn in Medina was no easy task He consulted Marwan; he summoned Husayn Who well knew Yazid's dirty and nefarious game. Husayn point blank refused to acknowledge The title of tyrant; of falsehood and subterfuge His character, he regarded with contempt and abhorrence His vices he despised, no less than his arrogance. He returned to his grandfather's earthly abode He dreamt of the Prophet, in tearful voice he spoke "O, son of mine, O thou art a part of me, The enemies are bent to torment and slay thee."
Accompanied by Zainab he visited the tomb of his mother What a heart rending scene it was; it caused a shudder! It was Husayn's last farewell before the fateful journey Guided by the unseen hand of - shall we say, Destiny The fateful hour had arrived for the long awaited fight Between forces of darkness and Angels of Light Husayn knew that from childhood he had been reared To perform this sacred mission, he knew absolutely no fear.
"For Mecca I leave, and then for a place beyond" For a farewell pilgrimage, the plans were drawn Hurried preparations were made for the journey An unknown destination was on the itinerary.
(6) The Journey to Mecca
It was 26th of Rajab sixty-first of Hijri The heat was unbearable, boiling point the degree The caravan was ready with young and old This was the day, the Prophet had foretold "A day will soon came when my dearest Husayn Will leave Medina, in indescribable grief and pain To meet his fateful destiny, in a far off land With his family and few friends, a tiny band" With grief in the air, the atmosphere was surcharged With heavy hearts the Medinites silently watched Can it be true that their most beloved Husayn, With his family and friends, would all be slain?" They pleaded with him to drop the risky journey He was priceless in all terms, including money Or take with him their strong young men with arms Who would ensure him against any possible harm They also pleaded that Ali Akbar be left behind So that, when memory of Prophet came to their mind They could look to him, for he was his very image, From head to foot, in looks, mannerism and gait.
Husayn was silent, how could he explain? Islam was sinking! There were many to be blamed! It was his martyr's cup, how could he reveal The plan of God to erase the cancerous evil.
He apologized; to grant their wish he was not able Such love, such feelings were indeed laudable! He would, however, remember them in his prayer His daughter, Sugar, he was leaving to their care.
Seriously ill, she cried her heart out They were leaving her, she had no doubt Destiny's hand was beckoning the Imam Proceed he must, was God's command! Towards holy Mecca the caravan slowly proceeded A farewell journey: no explanation was needed The guardian of truth was himself out to uproot The weeds of untruth, with his devil destroying boots. From Kufa they sent an urgent pathetic appeal In the name of God, from the helpless people "Truth is being trampled, we look to you Tooust this tyranny, come to our rescue."
"You, as our Imam, must heed our solemn call And save Islam, from its impending downfall There is no time to lose, we anxiously await Please come at once and do not be late."
He knew that treachery is a satanic vile And the Kufians in this were ahead by miles Time and again, Ali they had shamelessly betrayed Fickleness and shifting loyalty, was their trait. They had addressed him as their Imam He was, therefore, in painful duty bound To heed their call, despite past experience It was a supreme test for Imam's holy license. Ordinary spiritual beings can easily foretell The coming events, as well as, misfortune dispel The fountainhead of spiritualism knew much more The things, that were destined for him, in store. He was so attuned to the will of Almighty God His every act bore the stamp of the Merciful Lord Destiny's plan had to be implicitly carried out By none other than Husayn there was no doubt. As his emissary, he sent his cousin, Muslim Ibn Aqil To see things for himself; their pulse to feel; He received a hearty welcome he wrote to Husayn Little did he realize their vile, treacherous game.
(7) The Betrayal
Pin drop horrifying silence prevailed all round The mosque of Kufa stood on hallowed ground Treachery it had witnessed time and again It was the mosque where Ali had been slain. The town crier was reading the Governor's decree "To associate with Muslim will not go free He is an emissary of Prophet's grandson, Husayn Who has refused allegiance to Yazid, with disdain." When the prayer was over, Muslim looked back The mosque was empty, earlier it was packed He glanced at his host, Hani Ibn Urwah No words were needed, only a breath choking, Ah! The packed mosque had just witnessed jubilant scenes So great was the rush to swear allegiance to Muslim They had madly jostled and vied with each other In honoring Muslim, as Husayn's cousin brother. They exchanged glances, the picture was clear For their own lives they had absolutely no fear To inform Master Husayn was the sole prime need Whom could they trust? No, none, indeed! Hani rushed out, choked to the brim He had in his house, two sons of Muslim He whisked them out by the back door For safety's sake, there was no other go.
Muhammad and Ibrahim, two innocent lads Were anxiously awaiting return of their dad They were now on the road; alone, all alone! The cruel treacherous world was now their home.
Soon was Hani's house completely surrounded The hopes he had nourished were soon grounded He fought the armed troops of upstart Obeidullah The odds were too heavy; he prayed to Allah! He was soon overpowered and chained There was now no hope which remained His only thought was to inform post haste To Husayn, of the events and breach of faith After Hani's departure, he reflected a while A train of thoughts flowed, mile after mile Hani was sincere, there was no iota of doubt But if in danger, whom could he for help shout.
He thought of his sons, the two young kids In the house of Hani, he hoped they were hid He prayed to God to spare him fora little while So that, to Husayn, he could send the secret file. It was night, he had no place to go Tired and forlorn, his walk was slow Curfew was imposed, no soul stirred out The search was on in all possible hideouts. He sat for a while and leaned against the door The door of a house with an old muddy floor An old lady came out to see who it was "My son! Why do you not return to your house?" "Do you not have a wife nor children? Go and rest, in peace, in your own garden!" A lump came to his throat: yet, he sadly smiled "I come from the house of the Prophet," he replied.
The venerable old lady was in shocking pain "My God! You are Muslim, the Emissary of Husayn, How did I fail to recognize you, O, My Lord! What reply will I give to my Most Merciful God?" She hid him on the old wooden attic floor Extinguished the lights and shut the door; Her son soon returned from his usual rounds He was in the army of the Yazidi hounds.
"Hani has been beheaded," he declared, "The search is now on for Muslim and his lads." The simple old lady was moved to tears And confided to her son, her own gnawing fears. The son was elated at the fortunate news He pretended sorrow, as a deceitful ruse, "I will soon be back with the two young lads" And rushed to his Master, Obeidullah Ibn Ziad. The sound of horses hoofs were approaching near Muslim was in his prayers; he knew no fear He immediately realized, he had been betrayed His time was up; he would soon be dead! The noble lady was aghast! How could she explain? It was her son who had brought her everlasting shame Muslim assured Taha that he was absolutely sure, She was a lover of Husayn and his grandsire! The lane was narrow, it had no width Two horses abreast could hardly breath It was an ideal ground for single combat Like lion, Muslim ferociously fought. To the enemy, it soon became abundantly plain It was a futile and sure loosing game From housetops, they hurled missiles and stones Seriously wounded, Muslim left his vantage position. He desperately moved forward; they all fell back So fierce was the charge, they all fled in a pack To stop him, they thought of a clever ruse They dug a trench and had it covered, as subterfuge. He rushed on wielding his sword dexterously He fell in the trench, as planned treacherously; The retreating hounds soon swooped down In no time, he was heavily chained and bound.
In the streets of Kufa, he was soon paraded Those who had sworn him allegiance, were delighted They were watching him with perfect equanimity As if he was an utter stranger; what rascality! "As per Arab custom, I shall fulfill it Your last wish if you shall reveal it." A glint of hope came to Muslim's eyes Why not accept and make this final try? Obeidullah, if you are true to your word, Fulfill my last wish and inform my lord To return to Medina, before it is late As coming to Kufa, would be a sheer waste.
The crafty Obeidullah was absolutely flabbergasted Spare the lives of my two sons, he could have suggested He could not even imagine, how could a person Think of his master, when doomed were his sons. Muslim's last wish did not go in vain Merciful God kindled the heart of one of them He left Kufa post-haste to fulfill his mission And informed Husayn of Muslim's martyrdom. Husayn wept bitterly, as never before Muslim's daughter realized her father was no more One pair of earrings, he lovingly gave to her And another to Sakina, his child most dear. "Are you returning back?" the messenger inquired "No! I am not," Husayn, very sadly replied "As ordained, I am going to meet my destiny, And so are my faithful friends, who are with me."
(8) The Gems
On Ashoor night, he called his friends So pure and noble, each was a rare GEM To induce them to leave, with their dear ones For his sake, he declared, should suffer none. With rolling tears and heads bent down Their love for Husayn knew no bound Their burning desire, their goal of life Was to defend Husayn, in this strife. "It is my life that Yazid desires I permit you, one and all, to retire The sufferings, you have so far faced, Speaks volumes for your loyalty and faith!" To avoid embarrassment, he put out the lights For dark was the night, to aid their flight When the lights were lit, after quite sometime None had moved, even an inch, from the line.
"You are to us everything; how can we explain? Without you, life is nothing!" they exclaimed "Not merely we love, venerate, and adore, he put out the lights For dark was the night, to aid their flight When the lights were lit, after quite sometime None had moved, even an inch, from the line.
"You are to us everything; how can we explain? Without you, life is nothing!" they exclaimed "Not merely we love, venerate, and adore you, Each single act of yours kindles truth and love anew!" Habib, Muslim, Buraire and Zuhair Ibn Kain Expressed these sentiments, all in one strain Such devotion, such ecstasy, the world had not seen Even among companions of 'Hayder' nor of 'Al Amin'. What brave souls were these followers of Husayn? What unique attachments of theirs, he had gained? From different walks of life they came Their object was, absolutely, one and the same.
With what simplicity, the noble Jaun exclaimed "O, my lord, I am a Negro slave" he maintained "Let my blood mingle with the martyrs blood, To prove that we too are of the same mud." In the face of trials and tribulations, He had only one solace and consolation; A band of faithful and fearless human beings The like of whom, the world had not seen.
Habib Ibn Mazahir, was a childhood devoted friend He literally followed Husayn, wherever he went He veneratingly kissed the ground, Husayn tread He was loved by the Prophet and lovingly caressed. He was in Kufa, when he heard of Husayn's plight "For Karbala, I shall leave the very same night." With encouragement from his wife, a noble lady His faithful slave, kept for him all things ready. Kufa, was agog with numerous rumors afloat Treachery was afoot, for sacrificial goats Such was the risk, with spies all round Yet he ventured; such was the magnetic bond.
He reached Karbala on 9
th of Muharram night Husayn was distributing arms for the fight He had kept aside, for him, one set of arms "Habib, my dearest friend, is sure to come." Wahab, was the son of a noble and virtuous lady From Damascus, she was externed, when he was a baby For praising Ali, she had incurred Moawiyah's wrath Such was the fate, at that time, of all lovers of God.
Returning home, with his mother and wife, He saw an army poised like a murderer's knife A small group, mostly women, babes and old folks Were the victims of these cruel merciless foes.
He soon learnt, Prophet's grandson, Husayn Ibn Ali Surrounded by Yazid's hordes, were he and his family He rushed to the side of Imam's small group And begged of him, to let him join his troop. When Husayn learnt Wahab had married only day before He insisted on his leaving with his wife and mother With unflinching resolve, imploringly he pleaded, Till Husayn gave in and to his joining agreed.
Muslim Ibn Ausaja, had witnessed rights being trampled Bent with age, his love for truth was undampened Venerable companion of the Prophet, a most saintly soul To fight for truth, was his life's sole object and goal. Physically withered by age, being four score ten, His anxiety to help was a heroic gesture to men For he had witnessed on countless occasions The undying love, which the Prophet bore for Husayn. Buraire Hamadeni, was a warrior of repute His name caused shivers in adversaries boots He was itching to display his terrific might, To Yazid's mercenaries, in single battle and fights.
Husayn calmed him down and explained To fight them is not at all our aim But to defend and die like a martyr Was the supreme test of each fighter. On the eve, prior to the day of fateful battle, Buraire urged his friends to show their mettle And guard the Imam against the enemy's surprise raids For crafty was the enemy, unscrupulous, and debased.
Unbearable it was, the cry of thirsty children for water Even savages watered their victims, before slaughter Buraire, with his friends, fought their way to the river Filled a bag and returned with the precious life giver. With what dejection and dismay, he witnessed the sight The thirsty children threw themselves in mad delight The bag opened, under the weight of the terrible crush And out poured the water, in a mighty and mad gush. Moved to tears, the brave warrior's eyes welled up No water was left, O, merciful heaven, not even a cup! The thirst of the children remained unquenched Though the earth, in water, was fully drenched.
Hur Ibn Yazid Riyahi, a strict disciplinarian In the army of Yazid, he commanded a battalion With thousand soldiers, he blocked Husayn's path Not realizing, that it would lead to a blood bath. Hoping that a peaceful solution would be found He forced Husayn towards Karbala, as in duty bound Little did he realize that his very men Would dare spill the blood of Prophet's GEM.
