In this, the fifty-seventh episode of our series, we look at Yazid’s decision to release from captivity the noble household of Prophet Mohammad (SAWA). It was not out of any goodwill that the tyrant took this decision, but he was forced to do so, because of the rising tide of disgust of the people of Damascus against him when they learned about the martyrdom in Karbala of the Prophet’s grandson, Imam Husain (AS).
The mourning ceremonies for the Martyrs of Karbala meant that Damascus was clad in black. The city was transformed and the atmosphere was one of mourning.
The heartless soldiers of the Godless Omayyad regime were absolutely astonished. They were celebrating their “victory” in Karbala, just a few short days ago, but now, with all their military equipment, weaponry, swords, spears etc., they seemed to have been “taken captive” by the might of the eloquent sermons of the Prophet’s granddaughter, Hazrat Zainab (SA). The tables were now effectively turned and equations changed because of the magnanimity and greatness of the Martyred Imam’s sister and his son and successor, Imam Zain al-Abedin (AS). Despite captivity, they had endured and overcome calamities and hardships which would have brought the toughest of individuals to their knees!
Yazid now faced an uncertain future. His initial euphoria had evaporated, and his grandeur and confidence was shattered. He realized his own weakness and shortcomings in relation to the members of the Household of the Prophet of Islam. He saw no other option but to pretend to regret the martyrdom of Imam Husain (AS). Realizing the depth of public feeling against him, he tried to exonerate himself, and he pretended that he had nothing to do with the massacre of the Prophet’s grandson and his family and companions. The height of his folly was when he claimed: I had nothing to do with the killing of Husain ibn Ali! I never ordered his killing, and Obaidollah ibn Ziyad – the governor of Iraq – had acted on his own, when he ordered the tragedy of Karbala.
Yazid the tyrant considered the presence of the Prophet’s Ahl al-Bayt in Damascus as a real threat to himself and his rule. The sermons and speeches of Hazrat Zainab and Imam Zain al-Abedin (AS) had the effect of turning public opinion sharply against Yazid and his corrupt tyrannical rule. Thus, Yazid decided to release the noble captives of the Prophet’s Household and send them to Medina as soon as possible. As far as Yazid was concerned, the further they were away from Damascus, the seat of his power, the better it was for him. He told Imam Zain al-Abedin (AS) about the decision he had made, and asked whether anything was required. The Imam told the tyrant: “First of all I want to see the face of my father; secondly, your soldiers should return everything they plundered from us, and thirdly, if you intend to kill me, appoint someone trustworthy, honest and reliable to accompany the ladies of the Ahl al-Bayt to the shrine of their grandfather, the Messenger of Allah, Prophet Mohammad (SAWA).
Yazid evaded the issue of returning the severed head of Imam Husain (AS), since he felt that this would be used to arouse public sentiments against him in different towns and cities on the way to Medina. He said: Your second request will be granted and I will make sure that you are recompensed many times over, and with regards to your third request, no individual will accompany the women of the Ahl al-Bayt except you.
The Imam replied: “There is no need for you to recompense us several fold. We don’t need anything from you. Just return the items your soldiers plundered from us, including the veils and cloaks of the ladies.
source : irib
