The Betrayal in Kufa
An excerpt from Tears and Tributes
by Zakir
Source: Posting from ABDG
Pin-drop silence prevailed in the mosque at Kufa where a large
congregation had gathered to offer evening prayers. Outside the mosque
the town-crier was reading out the proclamation. Every one of the
congregation was straining his ears to listen to every word with rapt
attention.
At the top of his voice the town-crier was shouting: "Be it known to
the people of Kufa that Obeidullah, son of Ziad, has assumed the
governor- ship of Kufa under the orders of the Khalif. He has noted
with perturbation that the people of Kufa have extended their welcome
to Muslim, son of Aqil, who has come from Madinah as an emissary of
Husain, son of Ali, who has declined to owe allegiance to the Khalif.
It is hereby proclaimed for the information of all the citizens of
Kufa that any person found associating with Muslim, son of Aqil, will
be considered a rebel against the Khalif and, by way of punishment, he
will be hanged, drawn and quartered, his entire family will be put to
the sword and his property confiscated. In case of those who have
hitherto extended their welcome to him, if they now repent and desist
from doing so, amnesty will be given."
With bated breath every one listened to the proclamation. It was this
same Muslim, son of Aqil, who was to lead the prayers that evening,
and as the proclamation ended he arose to fulfil his duty. A few
exchanged enquiring glances with their friends. Some others whispered
some words to their neighbours. At this moment the call for prayers
was given and Muslim silently rose to lead the congregational prayers.
When Muslim completed the prayers and turned back, he found the mosque
empty, except for one person only Hanee Ibne Orwah at whose house
Muslim was staying as a guest. The two looked at each other. No words
were needed to tell Muslim why the penple of Kufa had deserted him.
The people of Kufa, who had so persistently asked Husain to come over
to them and take up the responsibilities of their spiritual
amelioration had, on hearing the proclamation, got scared out of their
wits. These were the people who had in the past betrayed Muslim's
uncle Ali, the Commander of the Faithful, and shown cowardice in times
of trouble and tribulations. These were the people who had deserted
Muslim's cousin, Hasan, son of Ali, in his hour of need.
Muslim stood for a while motionless. His face was full of anguish. He
was not dismayed at tha fate that awaited him, because a fighting
death was the heritage of his family. He was only disconsolate at the
thought that he had reposed confidence in these people's sincerity and
written to his cousin, Husain, to come over to Kufa as their moral,
mental and spiritual preceptor, to save them from sinking into the
depths of moral degradation. How he wished he had not been hasty about
judging these peoplel
A moment's reflection was sufficient to make up his mind. At least
there was one man with him who could be relied upon. If he could only
send a message to Husain through Hanee Ibne Orwah about the treachery
of the people of Kufa!
With these thoughts Muslim turned towards Hanee. Before he could give
expression to his thoughts, Hanee Ibne Onwah anticipated his words. In
low whispers he said: "Muslim, my respected guest, I know what is
uppermost in your mind. If God enable me to leave this cursed town in
time, I shall rush post-haste to warn our master and Imam to turn
back." He hung his head down and, in a tone which was hardly audible,
added, as if muttering to himself: "Muslim, my duty towards you as
your host demands that I should remain here to protect you and shed
the last drop of my blood in your defence. But I know that you would
like me to attend to the higher duty which we both owe to our Lord,
Husain Ibne Ali. There is hardly time to be lost and so I bid you
farewell. May Almighty God protect you and your innocent sons from the
fury of these treacherous fiends."
Hanee Ibne Orwah rushed out of the Mosque. He knew that he had to act
quickly, if at all he was to succeed in his mission. Before leaving
Kufa he had to do something for the safety of the two young sons of
Muslim who had not yet reached their teens. He was quickly revolving
in his mind how he could hide these innocent boys and where. He could
not think of anybody known to him who could be trusted to give shelter
to them. He hardly had any time at his disposal to make arrangements
because his paramount obligation was to convey Muslim's message to
Imam Husain. His quick-working mind decided that the children of
Muslim must be warned to get out of the house where they were no
longer safe and leave the rest to God.
On reaching his house, Hanee asked his wife to whisk the children out
of the house by the back door for their safety. He asked his servant
to harness his horse as quickly as he could. Hardly Muhammad and
Ibrahim, the young sons of Muslim, had been put on the road to face
the world and its turmoils in a strange and unfriendly city, the house
of Hanee was surrounded by armed troopers sent by Obeidullah. Hanee
realised that the hope he had cherished to leave the town and carry
the message of Muslim to Husain was completely frustrated. He
unsheathed his sword and fell upon the hirelings of Obeidullah with
the intention of selling his life as dearly as he could. The odds
against him were too heavy. He was soon overpowered and chained and
marched off to the court of the Governor.
After Hanee's departure from the Mosque, Muslim reflected for a while.
At first his mind was put at ease by Hanee's assurance that he would
carry the warning to Husain about the happenings in Kufa. But on
second thoughts he realised that there was every possibility of Hanee
being captured before he could leave the town. What if that happened?
He had fullest confidence in Hanee's sincerity, but how could he be so
sure that Hanee would be able to make good his escape from Kufa?
Although Muslim was fully alive to the lot that would befall his
innocent sons on their capture, he realised that the right course for
him was to find some other person whom he could trust to carry the
message to the Imam. Kneeling down in prayer he muttered: "Merciful
Allah, spare me for a while so that I can send the warning to my
Imam."
He came out of the mosque slowly. He did not know which way to turn He
only knew that the whole town had turned hostile to him. As soon as he
stepped out of the mosque, he saw groups of people collected hither
and thither and engaged in animated conversation. On seeing him coming
out they scattered and walked away as if they had never known him.
Muslim realised that they were, one and all, mortally afraid of the
reprisals that would befall them if they stood by him. Now he saw how
difficult it was for him to find a single person who could fulfil his
purpose; where to look for him; where to find him?
With a heavy heart Muslim was now trudging the narrow by-lanes of
Kufa. The sun was fast descending and the dark narrow lanes of Kufa
becoming darker every moment. Making a hood of his gown, so as to
cover his head to avoid identification, Muslim was walking on and on,
almost aimlessly ambling. The deserted cobbled pavements were echoing
his foot-steps. The only other sound to be heard was of the horses'
hoofs as the soldiers were patrolling the streets and searching for
him in all nooks and corners. Whilst walking aimlessly he was
furiousty thinking how to find someone who could carry his message to
Husain.
Soon darkness descended on the whole town. As curfew had been imposed
by the orders of the Governor, not a soul was venturing out. It became
evident to Muslim that, if he walked on there was every possibility of
his being arrested by the patrolmen and, if that happened, his last
hope of finding a messenger would vanish. The events of the day had
made him tired in body and soul.
He sat on the doorstep of a house, hesitating whether to knock at the
door and ask for water. Whilst he was still wavering, he heard the
opening of the door against which he was leaning. An old lady stood
there with a flickering candle in her hands. From her enquiring eyes
he could understand that she was wondering why he was seated there.
Muslim turned to her and requested a glass of water. She asked him to
wait for a minute and, going into the house, returned with a tumbler
of water. Muslim drank it to the last drop and thanked the lady
profusely. He again sat Hown on the doorstep. The old lady looked at
him for a while and then asked him: "My son, why do you not return to
your house? Do you realise how your wife and children must be worrying
about you by your remaining away from the house in such troubled
atmosphere7 Don't you have a house with wife and children?" A lump
came into Muslim's throat with the recollection of his family and
home. Controlling his emotions and checking the tears which were
gushing from his eyes he said: "Good lady, I have a house, but in a
distant land. My wife and young daughters are at home and my sons are
in Kufa but perhaps thev will wait for me for ever." After a brief
pause he added: "In this unfriendly town I have no home and nobody to
whom I can turn for shelter."
These words of despondency moved the lady. Sympathetically she said:
"From where do you come and why are you here in there troubled times?"
Muslim murmured in reply: "I am from the city of the Prophet. I came
on the invitation of the people of Kufa at their request. Though
thousands welcomed me on my arrival, there is now not a soul who will
admit me into his house."
The venerable old lady was taken aback by this reply. She raised the
candle she was carrving to bring it nearer Muslim's face. With an
exclamation of recognition she bent down on her knees and said: "My
God, you are Muslim, the emissary of my Imam, my beloved Husain, who
is hunted by Obeidullah's soldiers. How did I not recognise you at the
first glance when your words, your accent, your demeanour, all had the
stamp of people of the Prophet's House?" Sobbing bitterly and overcome
by contrition she added, "How will I face my Lady Fatima on the day of
reckoning when she will ask me: "Taha, my Husain's emissary came to
you, friendiess and shelterless, but you callously and relentlessly
turned him out!" What reply will I give to her? The least that I can
do for you is to give you shelter in my house till an opportunity
arises for you to make good your escape from this cursed city whose
people are steeped in perfidy."
Muslim felt reluctant to accept her offer for fear that the godfearing
old lady might be victimised for giving him protection. But on second
thoughts he decided to stay in her house with the hope that, if he
could avoid arrest for some time, he might be abie to find some one to
carry his message to Husain .
Taha asked Muslim to remain in the attic of the house. She qave him
whatever food there was in the house but he could hardly partake of
anything. How can a person in his predicament relish food? He decided
to pass the night in prayers as he had a premonition that this would
be his last night.
Before retiring into the attic, Muslim told Taha about his desire to
send a message to the Imam not to come to Kufa in view of what had
transpired. She assured him that when her son, who was in the
Government armed forces, returned from his beat, she would take him in
her confidence and enlist his support in finding some reliable person
for this mission.
Hardly a few hours had passed when Taha's son returned home. He looked
tired and worn out. When Taha enquired from him the reason for his
coming home so late, he told her that, along with other soldiers he
was patrolling the streets in search of Muslim. She was aghast at the
thought that her son, of all people, should be in the party searchinq
for Muslim, when she herself was so devoted to the House of the
Prophet. She strongly protested to her son at the role he was playing.
That cunning man turned round and assured his mother that, though he
had in the course of his duty to pretend as if he was searching for
Muslim, in reality he was as much devoted to Muslim, and the House of
the Prophet, as she was. His disingenuous assurances carried
conviction to the simple old lady and, after making him swear by his
faith, she took her son into confidence and told him everything about
the happenings of that evening. The crafty son of Taha was inwardly
elated at the thought that he would be able to collect the prize
placed on Muslim's head. His first thought was to behead Muslim
achieved in his sleep but, coward that he was, he got scared at the
fate that would befall him if Muslim would wake up before he
accomplished his purpose. He thought furiously for a few moments and
then decided to go and inform Obeidullah Ibne Ziad that he had Muslim
in his house and he could be easily captured. His warped mind quickly
invented an excuse for going out in the dead of night, without
arousing the suspicions of his noble mother. He told her that, as in
his presence, Hanee Ibne Orwah, at whose house Muslim and his two sons
had been staying, had been beheaded and as the two young boys were
roaming the streets of Kufa, he thought it his bounden duty to search
for them and bring them home so that the father and sons could be
reunited. He told Taha that he would also see one of his trusted
friends and through him arrange to convey Muslim's message to the Imam
for which he was so anxious. Taha was taken in by the guiles of her
perfidious son. She felt elated that her son was so keen to do the
good work that he could not wait till daybreak.
The avaricious son of Taha hastened to the Governor's house and lost
no time in getting himself admitted to his presence. In fact
Obeidullah was awake waiting for the news of Muslims's arrest as he
was mightly afraid that, if Muslim remained at large, he might succeed
in rallying round him a few persons who could offer very stiff
opposition to his forces and even upset his ugly plans. He felt
relieved and overjoyed at the tidings brought to him by Taha's
treacherous son. He immediately ordered one of the cornmanders of his
forces to get together a well-equipped contingent for Muslim's arrest.
Accompanied by mounted soldiers, the traitor returned to his house for
Muslim's arrest. Muslim was at that time engaged in prayers. When he
heard the beating of several horses' hoofs on the paved roads, he
understood that the soldiers had come for his arrest. He snatched his
sword which was lying by his side and rushed out. Taha stood at the
threshold of her house flabbergasted to see that her son had brought
the soldiers for the arrest of her revered guest. She fell on Muslim's
feet and cried: "Muslim, my prince, how can I explain to you that I
have not betrayed you but my cursed son, whom I trusted and never
suspected of such blatant treachery, has ruined me. I shall not let
them cross my threshold except over my dead body." Muslim did not
require to be told that Taha's averments were sincere. He gently told
her, "My benefactor, I know that you have been very kind and
considerate to me and the thought of betraying me cannot even cross
your noble and pious mind. I do not in the least blame you for the
treachery of your son. As your guest, who has partaken of your
hospitality, I cannot allow you to be killed by these merciless brutes
and let your house be reduced to a shambles. Let me go out of the
house and sell my life as dearly as I can."
Muslim gently pushed aside Taha from the threshold and walked out
sword in hand. By this time the soldiers had reached the house. They
were taken by surprise at seeing Muslim emerging from the door like an
enraged lion. The lane was so narrow that two horses could not come up
abreast. This gave Muslim the best opportunity for single combat.
Though he was on foot and the soldier opposite to him was mounted, he
possessed the prowess which was the heritage of Ali's family. One
after the other the soldiers were tasting the sword of this warrior
and falling down from their horses. In the process they were getting
crushed and trampled under the hoofs of horses of their own men.
The leader of the band of soldiers, who had discreetly kept himself
behind his men, sent word for more men. Though more and more soldiers
were pouring in, the topography of the scene of this street battle was
such that they could not attack en masse. Heads of enemy soldiers were
falling like nine-pins. Hours passed but still Muslim was fighting his
defensive battle most courageously.
When Obeidullah Ibne Ziad's couriers, who were bringing to him the
news of the fight, informed him that Muslim was giving a fight the
like of which had not been seen since the days of Ali, the Khalif, he
got infuriated. He tauntingly asked his generals how many thousands of
warriors they needed to capture one solitary person. One of them
angrily retorted to him that he was forgetting that the person to be
captured was not an ordinary home-keeping youth or shop-keeper but a
renowned warrior of the House of Ali. He even suggested that if
Obeidullah had no confidence in the generals, he could himself
demonstrate his skill with the sword by offering combat to Muslim.
This suggestion scared the wits out of Obeidullah. He, of all people,
knew what it meant to cross swords with Ali's nephew. Swallowing the
taunt, he replied: "My good general, I fully know what it means to
fight with a person so desperate who finds himself at bay. Instead of
letting our men die by his sword in such large numbers, why cannot
some one adopt some stratagem to make him leave his vantage position
so that it may be easier to attack him from all sides?"
This suggestion appealed very much to the cowardly soldiers of Kufa.
After some consultations amongst themselves, they decided to send
soldiers to the top of the roof of an adjoining building and from
there to hurl stones, burning ernbers and missiles at Muslim. It did
not take them long to carry out their strategy. With showers of
arrows, stones, fire and missiles, Muslim was so much'wounded that he
decided to give up his vantage position. He charged on the soldiers in
front of him and they fell back. He went forward, wielding his sword,
and in the process, sending those who were within its reach to the
perdition and doom which they merited.
Once again hasty counsels were held among the captains of the army.
Some one suggested that, since Muslim was now desperately moving
forward, a trench could be dug on the road and covered up with straw
so that it was completely comouflaged. The idea was to trap Muslim as
he marched forward. It was reaiised that, without such subterfuge,
Muslim could not be killed or captured without sacrificing the cream
of the army.
The treacherous ruse proposed by Obeidullah's mercenaries worked as
planned. While rushing on and wielding his sword dexterously, Muslim
fell into the trench. Now those who were avoiding to come within the
reach of his sword swooped down on him. With gushing blood Muslim
could not regain his feet. He toppled over and lay unconscious in the
trench. It was now a matter of minutes to capture him and soon he was
chained and bound.
When Muslim regained consciousness, he found himself a captive. His
wounds had accentuated his thirst. The dawn was now breaking and the
call for prayers was raised in the mosques of Kufa. Muslim requested
his captors to give him some water to drink and for ablution. Instead
of acceding to his request, they mocked and jeered at him. Muslim was
extremely surprised and pained to see that the people of Kufa, who
were claiming to be the followers of the Prophet, were flouting the
injunctions of Islam for kindness to all in a helpless predicament.
Little did Muslim know that these same people would behave with utter
callousness and beastliness towards Husain and his children in the not
too distant future.
Before being marched off to the Court of Obeidullah, Muslim was
paraded through the streets of Kufa with heavy chains on his hands and
feet. The people of Kufa, who only a few days before were vying with
one another just to have a glimpse of him, were now watchinq him from
their windows with perfect equanimity, as if he was an utter stranger
to them. Some devils amongst them were hard-hearted enough to pelt
stones at him.
When Muslim was presented before Obeidullah he stood erect with
dignity. The Governor asked him whether he knew the fate that awaited
him and his master Husain Ibne Ali. With utter disdain Muslim replied
"O mercenary of Yazid, I do not care what you do to me, but I do not
like to hear your cursed tongue mentioning Husain's name."
Obeidullah Ibne Ziad felt crest fallen at this bold rebuke of Muslim.
With intention of creating an impression of his magnanimity on the
people who were gathered in his court, he said to Muslim, "According
to the age-old Arab custom I want you to mention your last desire
before you are beheaded so that I may fulfil it."
A glint of hope came into Muslim's eyes. Could he take this man at his
word and ask him to send the message which he wanted to be conveyed to
his master? Like a drowning man who catches at a straw, Muslim decided
that, if at all, this was his only chance. He immediately replied: "Obeidullah,
if you are true to your word, fulfil my last wish and send a message
to my master Imam Husain, asking him to go back to Madinah and abandon
the idea of his visit to Kufa."
Obeidullah had never expected this request from Muslim. He had thought
that perhaps Muslim might request him to spare the lives of his two
young sons when they were captured, as they were sure to be. For a
while he was nonplussed; he was at a loss what to say. He knew that he
could not fulfil this wish of Muslim without incurring the displeasure
of Yazid; but to decline this request would betray him in his true
colour. His crooked mind did not take long to find a solution to this
problem. He beckoned to his executioners to take Muslim to the top of
the Government House and to behead him. He immediately dismissed his
court and hurried back to his apartment.
When the sword of the executioner was swaying over Muslim's head his
last thoughts were with his master, Husain, whom he had loved and
cherished more than anything in life. His only regret was that till
the end he could not do what he wanted most, to warn Husain against
the treachery of the people of Kufa. As the sword fell on his neck he
silently muttered a prayer to God to so ordain that Husain might come
to know of the happenings in Kufa. This was the last prayer of the
brave warrior who stood steadfast in death as in life.
Merciful God did not allow Muslim's last prayer to go in vain. He who
listens to the prayers emanating from the hearts of sincere devotees
like Muslim, enabled one witness to the ghastly enactments of that
day, who had some sparks of faith in him, to go riding out of Kufa at
the earliest opportunity. He reached the camp of Imam Husain a few
days after Muslim's martyrdom. He conveyed the sad tidings to Husain
who wept bitterly as if his heart would rend. He called the young
daughter of Muslim, who was travelling with him, and told her that
henceforth she should regard him as her guardian. He gave one pair of
earrings to her and one to Sakina. When the messenger asked him
whether he was turning back and returning to Madinah in view of what
had happened to Muslim, he replied: "I am going forward to meet my
destiny; to fulfil the purpose of my life. My death is beckoning to me
and so there is no question of my retracing my steps."