Imam Sajjad in Yazid's court

Society Religion & Philosophy
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Iraq was a place where Imam Ali had ruled as khalifa. So everyone knew his family and their high status. But Syria had been under Muawiah, who used to curse Imam Ali and fought with him. In Syria people did not recognize the status of Ahle bait.

This is why when caravan of Imam Hussein’s remaining family reached Syria then people hurled insults on them in every way possible. When ladies of Prophet’s family were being dragged in chains towards Yazid’s court then people were standing around them watching the show.

Imam Ali ibn Hussain, Zainul Abedin, was the only remaining adult male remaining of the family. After they reached Yazid’s court, he presented himself to Syrians, showed them who he was, what family he belonged, and who they are insulting.
This address shook Yazid’s court.

http://www.islamicbooks.info/H-21-Math’habs/Zainab-13.htm

Ahle Bait (a.s.) in the Court of Yazid | Message of Peace

Yazid asked one of his employed preachersto go on the ‘Mimber’ (pulpit) of the Mosque and abused Imam Ali(a.s.) and his family. When the preacher finished his lecture, Imam Sajjad(a.s.) turned to him and said, “Be ashamed of yourself, you evil speaker. With your words you have displeased Allah so as to please people”. Then the Imam(a.s.) asked Yazid to let him talk to the people. Yazid refused to do so. The people of Syria, however, forced Yazid to allow the Imam to go on the Mimber.

Once on the Mimber, Imam Zain al-Abideen(a.s.) first praised Allah(swt) and His Messenger(pbuh&hf). After that the Imam gave along and very powerful speech letting the Syrians know the great position of Imam Husain(a.s.) to Allah(swt), and how evil Yazid and his family were. Part of the speech is summarised below:

"O listeners Allah has given us (Ahle Bart) six things which no one else has. He has given us special Wisdom, Patience, Dignity, Power of speech, Courage and Respect. He gave us special benefit of belonging to the family of his Prophet. To us belong Hamza and Jafar. To us belong Asadullah (The lion of Allah, Imam Ali(a.s.)). To us belong the leader of the youths of paradise (Imam Hassan(a.s.) and Imam Hussain(a.s.)).

"Those who know me, know me. Those who do not, then know that
(أنا ابن مكة ومنى ) I am the son of Mecca and Mina.
( أنا ابن زمزم والصفا ) I am the son of Zamzam and Safa.
I am the son of he who gave Zakat to the poor.
I am the son of the best of those who have ever put on Ihram and performed ceremonies of Hajj.
I am the son of he who was taken on the night journey from house of Allah to the Mosque of Aqsa and then to Miraj.
I am the son of he who was taken around by Gibrael to the Lote-tree of the boundary (Sidratul Muntaha).
“I am the son of Muhammad Mustafa(pbuh&hf).
I am the son of Ali Al-Murtaza who fought the polytheists in the battle till they submitted to Islam and fought in the presence of the Prophet until his sword was broken and to whom Zulfikar was given.
I am the son of he who had the honour to migrate twice in Islam.
I am the son of Fatima the best women of the world…”.

The effect of the speech was so powerful that everybody in the Mosque began to weep and to blame Yazid. Yazid was afraid that if the Imam continued his speech, there would be a revolution and revolt. At the same time Yazid could not stop the Imam and get him down from the Mimber. He therefore ordered a “Muazzin” to give Azan, knowing that this would automatically cut the Imam’s speech. But he underestimated the Imam’s bravery and intelligence. The Imam stopped his speech but did not get down from the Mimber. When the Muazzin said " Allahu Akber" the Imam testified Allah’s greatness. When the Muazzin said, “Ash hadu anna Muhammaddan Rasulullah”, the Imam stopped the Muazzin from going any further. He then turned to Yezid and asked him. "Tell me o Yazid, was Muhammad(pbuh&hf) your grandfather or mine? If you say he was your grandfather it will be an open lie and if you say he was my grandfather then why have you killed his son and imprisoned his family? Why have you killed my father and brought his women and children to this city as prisoners?"

Yazid had no reply to give.

The effect of this was to turn Syrians against Yazid. Everyone of them now found out about Yazid’s crimes that he had committed against the Prophet (pbuh&hf) and his family. They began to blame him and ask for the release of Imam Zain al-Abidin(a.s.) and the womenfolk of the house of the Prophet. Yazid was now afraid that if he did not act fast his rulership would be lost. He therefore freed Imam Zain al-Abidin(a.s.) and let. him return to Medina with full honour and respect.

Behaarul Anwaar, vol 10, pg 233; Riyazaul Quds, vol 2, pg 328

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Re: Imam Sajjad in Yazid’s court

Peace Khoji,

I think I read different what you wrote above that in a book “Kitab Ul Irshad and Ahsan Ul Niqal” written by Shaikh Mufeed at Page No. 282, 298, & 398 that "Imam Hussain r.a., confront to the peoples of the kofi and said:

"I didn’t come to you until you sent sent me letters and messengers that may be by your virtues (Imam Hussain’s r.a. virtue) Almighty Allah will guide us and put us on right path".

Imam Hussain r.a., further said: “Although if you’r still keeping (holding on) your promise then I’m here as you wanted, but if you dislike my coming then I’ll return there from where I came from.”

On hearing this all peoples (who were present there) were silent.

In “Ahsan Ul Niqal Page 405”, and in "Tazkirah-tul-Masomeen, Page 153 written Syed Ali Naqvi, presented by Syed Mohammad Abbas"It is written that Imam Hussain r.a., put forward three conditions:

  1. That I will return from where I came from/return to Madinah, OR
  2. That allow me to stay near any border so that I’ll invites peoples to righteous, OR
  3. That take me to the Yazeed so I’ll do “Bait” on his hands and let him decide whatever he wants to do

In “Tazkirah tul Azhaar/Kitab Ul Izhar by Shaikh Mufeed” Page 314":

Abdullah bin Rabia Hamiri narrated that I was along with Yazird bin Muawiya in Damascus where Sehha bin Qais came to Yazid. Yazid said to him “Woe on you, do you have any information what is going on behind you?” He said: "O Yazid! good tiding for you that Hussain bin Ali r.a., among 18 from his Ahl-e-bait and along with 60 Shias, confronted us. We asked them they should surrender us and obey the order of Abdullah bin Ziyad or fight with us. They prefered for fight and we defeated him.

Yazid downed his head for a while and then said: “I accept all your obediently except the murder of Imam Hussain r.a. Keep in your mind and do not forget ever that if Hussain bin Ali r.a., ever came to me, I would had forgiven him instead of giving an order of killing him”.

Khoji bhai, what you wrote above is totally different from what Shaikh Mufeed written in these books. :hmmm:

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Re: Imam Sajjad in Yazid’s court

This is not what I wrote. Instead I quoted history books. :slight_smile:

If you are confused about it then it is an opportunity for you to do some research and find out what exactly happened.
For more information, go to: “Ibn Taymiyyah’s Defence of Yazid”

Yazidis have been present in all times. But ulema of Islam, both sunnis and shias have agreed historically to know Yazid’s nifaaq.

If you want I can give references of websites that will explain in detail about what seems more logical, keeping in mind the character of Yazid and his actions before and after Karbala. These actions are recorded in many history books. Had Karbala been just one bad stain on Yazid then there might have been a logical case to exonerate Yazid of responsibility of killing Ahle Bait. But if we see such behavior occurring repeatedly than it is more reasonable to accept Yazid’s crime of Karbala as well.

I don’t know why you bring Kufis in this discussion. I think it is simple to say that whoever conspired with Yazid in killings of Ahle Bait was an enemy of Prophet and enemy of God.

Prophet’s family was brought to Yazid’s court in Damascus. There are many history books saying that they were brought in chains. So I don’t know exactly what your objection is on this thread.

I don’t want to use this thread to prove points. But I can refer people to appropriate websites answering any confusion they may have. :slight_smile:

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Re: Imam Sajjad in Yazid’s court

I read some “Tadhkiratul At’haar” online. After Yazid said what lethal kamikaze cited above, Shaikh Mufid adds that he said it in an attempt to absolve himself of the crime of killing of Ahle Bait, even though he himself had given the order to kill him. Even in this book by Shaikh Mufid, nowhere does Yazid show any repentance for killing Imam Hussein, nor does he give punishment to anyone guilty of this tragedy.

It thus proves Shaikh Mufid’s point that Yazid only tried to save himself from the blame of Imam Hussain’s murder. But in reality he had achieved exactly what he wanted. **This is why he did not punish anyone.

**For those interested, here is the link to Shaikh Mufid’s book in Urdu:
Tazkira-tul-Athar (A.S) by sheikh mufeed: urdu pdf | slave of Ahlubait’s Blog

At Page 315 in the book (follow the link), it says that Imam Hussain’s head was in front of Yazid. He said about Imam Hussain:
“pus chaak kiye gaye esay mardon ke sar jo hamein bohat azeez thay, laikin wo zyada na-farmaan aur zyada zaalim thay”

Yahya bin Hakam, who was sitting in his court, said:
“**Umayya ki nasl to kankariyon ke baraabar he, aur rasoolallah ki beti ki koi nasl na rahi”.
**

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Re: Imam Sajjad in Yazid's court

It's one thing accusing Muawiya (RA) of cursing Imam Ali (RA) ... because that suits your purpose, but this terrible speech that you have attributed to Zain-ul-'abideen (RA) is quite another ... You actually think that any of that speech with its bad manners and self-praise is something that can be attributed to the Salaf?

I haven't heard anything like that before ... are you trying to support your case or destroy it?

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Re: Imam Sajjad in Yazid's court

Your reaction is quite strange. Usually this is not how your response use to be. You did not come this way even against people who called Yazid 'raziallah'. Anyway.

Please show me an example of 'bad manners' from this speech.
Regarding 'self-praise', well, the purpose of that was demonstrated right in the beginning of the post. Syrians had been under a ruler who had been fighting Imam Ali since long. There were tens of thousands of people who were killed during these battles. So it should be easily appreciated that Syrians did not recognize or realize the significance of killing of Imam Hussain (member of Ahle Bait). What you call 'self-praise' was the introduction of Ahle Bait in front of them.

Think about it. There was the head of Imam Hussein put right there in the court. Ladies from Prophet's family were present there in chains. Under such circumstances, if a speech given by the LAST SURVIVING ADULT MALE member of a member of Ahle Bait is 'bad manners' then one should say good bye to every form of reason and logic, and say welcome to nonsense.

One may object to demonstration of their significance by a member of Prophet's family, if he tells anything false. If everything is TRUE, and if that speech achieved its objective of making people realize who these ladies and children were; then any objection on it is void.

Those who killed Prophet's family deserved punishment in this world and that. And those who were killed unjustly while defending what they believed, must be appreciated and praised.

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Re: Imam Sajjad in Yazid's court

Khoji....its ur choice but u r dealing with kids who pretend and play electronic muftis despite not even knowing whats in their 6 sahi book of hadiths let alone anything beyond.....its ur time and u cud do whatever u wish to do ofcourse..

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Re: Imam Sajjad in Yazid's court

May Allah (SWT) bring the truth in your words ... so I can submit to it ... Please show me where this account is mentioned in the 6 sahi books that I can be corrected.

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Re: Imam Sajjad in Yazid's court

May be I missed the gist of the speech ... It sounds off to me that is all.

So how can this story be corroborated?

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Re: Imam Sajjad in Yazid's court

How come people of Syria were not aware of Ahl e Bait? They might have not known Hazrat Zain ul Aabdeen (RA) by face, but they were well aware of Hazrat Hasan and Hussain. Tibri mentions that during Hazrat Muawiya's period both the brothers used to visit Syria and Hazrat Muawiya send them gifts

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Re: Imam Sajjad in Yazid's court

If they were really aware of significance of Ahle Bait then they would not have fought against them.
It is human psychology that if someone is not reminded of something then he stops understanding its significance after a while.

As an example, there cannot be a single Muslim who does not know how important namaz is. But if one lives at certain place where there is no one to talk about namaz or performing namaz, then after a while that person is most likely to stop praying himself. Yet if someone comes there to do tableegh, and make him remember namaz's significance then that person will once again learn the forgotten lesson and start praying himself.

Similar thing with Syrians at that time. They had forgotten about significance of Prophet's family and what a great tragedy it was that Iman Hussain's head was in front of them, along with ladies of Prophet's family. Imam Sajjad taught them the forgotten lesson with this speech in Yazid's court. It had its effect. After such speeches Yazid knew that it would be foolish to keep these people in prison. He realized that people will come after him if they listen to these speeches demonstrating the standing of Ahle Bait, and what he had done to them.

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Re: Imam Sajjad in Yazid's court

And these first generations were the best of humanity? We are doomed!

Incidentally ... Sunnis believe the first few generations were the best of the ummah and this ummah is the best of the ummahs ... So how does that place these people in your estimation? Do you not hold such beliefs?

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Re: Imam Sajjad in Yazid's court

I find it hard to believe that a person (Yazeed) who had no qualms about killing Imam Hussain and as reported in some traditions (dunno right or wrong) putting his stick on head of Imam Hussain in court, will suddenly become afaraid of reaction of people. Similarly people who tolerated much heinous crimes would transform their thinking with one speech.

The problem with some religious stories (all faiths and sects, am not pointing to shias only) are the contradictions within them, but if you point it out to them, you are a disbeliever.

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Re: Imam Sajjad in Yazid's court

We see it all the time where rulers become too bold for their own good. Same was the case with Yazid. The power he yielded went to his head. He didn't believe anything could happen to him and that belief didn't change until it was too late. He was fearful only upon seeing the reaction the Syrians had to the speech of Imam Zain-ul-Abideen(A.S).

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Re: Imam Sajjad in Yazid's court

Muawiya cursed Ali ibne Abi Talib and in sahi bukhari u can find tradition of wht he asked the loyal companion hujr bin adi before slaughtering him and his son...their crime was their loyalty to Ali and raising voice againt ummayad tyranny and corruption.....
It is unanimous fact tht yazid in his 3 years of rule passed on to him by his dad....killed the grandson of the prophet who also happens to have been the prince of the folk of paradise ...destroyed madina where his army under huseen bin numayr killed, looted and raped the victims that included the companions and tabein....and fireballed kaaba to ashes where he was after chasing abdullah bin zubair who had challenged his rule......this carnage only halted at his abrupt death....

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Re: Imam Sajjad in Yazid's court

This ummah is the best because its led by the best.....otherwise look thru Quran and u will see more condemnation of variety of Muslims than Christians or jews of the time....

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Re: Imam Sajjad in Yazid's court

Actually there were many tribes on outskirts of iraq in particular tht revolted straight after they found the events of karbala....and the reaction continued to bigger movements like of mukhtar and bani abbas with both working with slogans of revenge for imam hussain...
Syrians were generally quite ignorant of ahlul bayt and tht fact is recorded in many ways.....muawiya through his long rule had groomed them in a certain way.....whereas the tribes and village around iraq knew ahlul bayt well and during thr life of imam hasan, muawiya had unleashed on of the biggest terrorist of muslim history, busr bin artat, onto them with their crime being their love and allegiance to the family of prophet of Islam saww.....his raids on these people makes a sick reading as busr was the terrorist of worst kind....and there had been a few of them alright!

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Re: Imam Sajjad in Yazid's court

Dont think there is much problem if u sit and discuss with the right folks....

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Re: Imam Sajjad in Yazid's court

Thanks brother Nussairee for the information. May I ask for a reference, just to increase my own knowledge as well?

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Re: Imam Sajjad in Yazid's court

Ok, PM'ed.