Today, in the forty-first episode of our series, we look at the events which occurred in the town of Asqalan in what is now the Zionist usurped Palestine, as the caravan of the noble captives of the household of Prophet Mohammad (SAWA) made its way from the Iraqi city of Kufa to Damascus in Syria, through a circuitous route, so that people would not know of the tragic martyrdom of Imam Husain (AS) in Karbala by the army of the self-styled Omayyad caliph, Yazid.
The Omayyad soldiers escorting the caravan of captives unable to proceed directly to Damascus from Homs because of the people’s opposition, moved towards Baalbek in what is now Lebanon and from there towards the town of Asqalan which. As the caravan of captives arrived in Asqalan, the town was decorated with festivities and celebrations underway. A merchant and businessman by the name of “Zarir Khazaie”, happened to be in the town when the celebrations started and was surprised at the festivities. He asked the townspeople: “What are you celebrating?”
They replied: “A group of people in Iraq refused to pledge allegiance to the rule of Yazid ibn Mu’awiya, so an army was dispatched to deal with them, and they massacred them all. Today, the severed heads of those who were slain are arriving in Asqalan, along with their captives, and this is why we are happy”.
Zarir Khazaie asked: “Were they infidels, unbelievers, adulterers, or Muslims?”
The townspeople replied: “No! They were said to be leaders in their own right!”
Zarir Khazaie asked: “Why did they refuse to pledge allegiance to Yazid? Why did they rise up against him?”
The townspeople replied: “The Leader of this group of people claimed that because he was the grandson of the Messenger of God, he was more qualified to be Caliph than Yazid!”
Zarir Khazaie asked: “What was the name of the Leader of this group? Who was his father? Who was his mother?” The townspeople replied: “You mean you don’t know? His name was Husain. His father was Ali, and his mother was Fatema Zahra, the daughter of Prophet Mohammad (SAWA)!!”
When Zarir heard those words from the people who were until recently Christian, he was shocked, horrified and saddened. He didn’t know what to do. He approached the caravan of captives, and looked at members of the Imam’s household. When he saw the young 23-year old Imam Ali Zain al-Abedin (AS), who was sick and was in chains, he suddenly burst into tears and cried profusely. The young Imam told him: “The whole town is celebrating and laughing and rejoicing, but you are crying. Why is that?”
Zarir replied: “My Master, My Imam, I am a stranger in this town, I don’t know anyone here. I have come here as a merchant to trade in this wretched town! I saw that the townsfolk were celebrating, so I asked them why they were celebrating. Then I found out what had happened!”
Imam Zain al-Abedin (PuH) looked at Zarir and said: “O merchant! You seem to be the only person in this town who cares for and is genuinely concerned about the Ahl al-Bayt of the Prophet of Islam. May the Lord bless you.”
Zarir said: “My Master, My Imam , please allow me to serve you. What can I do for you?”
Imam Zain al-Abedin (AS) replied: “If you can, please talk to the soldiers who are carrying the head of my father, tell them to stand in such a way as to block the view of the crowd so that they take their gaze away from our noble womenfolk, and stare at the heads of the martyrs instead!”
Zarir said: “I gave some money to the soldiers who were carrying the severed heads of the martyrs of Karbala, so that they moved forward, and attracted the attention of the crowds. I also purchased some clothes and veils, and gave them to the women of the Prophet’s Household to cover themselves. I don’t know how long the women were able to cover themselves, although I strongly suspect the Omayyad soldiers took away the clothes and veils, beating the women some more !!”
source : irib
