Ubaydullah bin Ziyad’s exit from Basra towards Kufa

When Ubaydullah received the letter of Yazeed, he selected five hundred people from Basra, and left for kufa.

When he reached Kufa, Ubaydullah had worn a black turban and had covered his face. People there had received news that Imam Hussein (A.S) was due to arrive to Kufa hence they waited his arrival. They mistook him to be Imam Hussein (A.S), and from the midst of whichever group he passed they saluted him saying, "Welcome O son of the Prophet"! When Ubaydullah saw them rejoicing at the arrival of Imam Hussein (A.S), he was troubled. When people started increasing, Muslim bin Amr called out, "Get away, this is the commander Ubaydullah bin Ziyad." He then reached the palace at night surrounded by a group of people who still thought that he was Imam Hussein (A.S).No’man bin Basheer shut the door on him and his comrades (mistaking him to be Imam Hussein (A.S) when one of his people called out to him to open the door. No’man mistaking him to be Imam Hussein (A.S) said, "I request you in the Name of Allah to get away from here. For by Allah, I shall not hand over the trust to you, nor do I intend fighting you." Ubaydullah remained silent and then came closer, when No’man was speaking with him while hanging from atop the balcony. Ubaydullah said, "Open the door, you have not opened yet, and your nights have become prolonged (in which you have slept instead of governing)." These words of Ubaydullah were heard by a man behind him, who turned to the people standing behind mistaking him to be Imam Hussein (A.S), and said, "O people! By Him besides whom there is no other Diety, this is Ibne Marjanah (referring to Ubaydullah)."

Mas’oodi says that when the people recognized him, they started throwing stones at him, but he got away. Then No’man opened the door for him and he entered therein and closed the door on the people and they dispersed away.

In the morning he announced for the congregation Prayers and people gathered. Ubaydullah bin Ziyad praised and glorified Allah and then said, "Now then! The Commander of the faithful (referring to Yazeed) has given me the charge of your city and your frontiers, while your booty is under my control, and he has ordered me to assist the oppressed and bestow upon the deprived. And has also commanded me to be fair to the obedient ones and take severe action against the suspicious and the rebels amongst you. Then I shall fulfill his command regarding you and shall put to practice his orders. I shall be like a merciful father for the obedient and good people among you, and my spear and sword will be upon the head of those who disobey my command and oppose my rule. Let each man fear himself, let right warn you and not threat."

In another narration it is quoted that he said, "Take my words to that Hashemi (referring to Muslim bin Aqeel) that he should guard himself against my wrath."

Then he alighted from the pulpit and dealt strictly with the chiefs and commanded that, "Note down the names of the guarantors (of men), and the followers of Yazeed, while also those of the rebels and the suspicious who might revolt or cause disturbances. All these people should be brought to me so that I may decide about them. Then the chiefs who do not write down their names should stand surety that none among them would oppose us nor revolt. The one who does not do so, will be denied immunity and his blood and wealth will be lawful for us. And if a rebel of Yazeed is ever found in any area under the control of a chief and he does not report to us about him, he shall be hanged on the door of his house and his stipends will be stopped and he will be fed to the Lions."

Taken from books: NAFASUL MAHMOOM and The Hidden Truth About Karbala

By Haj Shaikh Abbas Qummi (a.r) and A.K.ahmed B.Sc., B. L.

Other links:

Muslim bin Aqeel’s departure from Mecca in Mid-Ramadhan

The Mission of Ma’qa

Arresting of Hani by ibn Ziyad

Loneliness of Muslim bin Aqeel in the lanes of Kufa

Muslim bin Aqeel in the House of Taw’ah