Umar’s Letter to Ibn Ziyad
After protracted negotiations, Umar bin Sa’d wrote to Ibn Ziyad again in the following terms:
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“Allah has extinguished the fire of mischief. He has resolved the differences and created unity. He had set right the community’s case. Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) held out a promise to accepty any of the three alternatives. Therein lies your as well as the community’s welfare.”*
Shimr’s opposition
This letter created a favorable reaction on Ibn Ziyad. He appreciated Umar’s efforts and said that the proposal was acceptable. Opposing the proposal, the wretch Shimr bin Zil Joushan said:
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“Husain is now in our grip. If he escapes without taking the bay’ah, he might gain respect and power and comparatively you may be rendered weak and helpless. It is advisable that he is kept under watch until he surrenders himself. I am told that Husain and Umar bin Sa’d hold secret talks during the whole night.”*
Ibn Ziyad’s Reply
This advice was approved and Shimr was deputed within a letter containing the following text:
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“If Husain surrenders himself with all his companions, there should be no war and he should be sent to me alive. If he does not agree, there is no other alternative except war.”
“Shimr has been instructed that as long as Umar complies with my orders, the former should obey him, otherwise, he should remove Umar and take over the command of the army. Husain should be murdered and his head be sent over to me.”*
In this letter, Umar was severely admonished with a warning that he was not deputed to defend Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) and communicate recommendations in his favor. Further, the letter contained the following specific instructions:
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“My orders are clear. If he surrenders himself, he should be sent to me alive. In case he refuses, he should be attacked unhesitatingly. Shed his blood and disfigure his body, as he deserves it. After killing get his body trampled by horses, be cause he is a rebel and has deserted the community. I have resolved that if he is murdered, all this should be done. If you obey my orders you will be eligible for a reward and if you contravene then you will be dismissed.”*
Shimr Zil Joushan and Hazrat Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh)
It should be remembered that the paternal aunt of Shimr, Umm Banin bint Kharam, was the wife of Hazrat Ali (Karramallahu ta’ala wajhah) and whose off-springs were ‘Abbas, Abdullah, Ja’far, and Uthman and all the four brothers were accompanying Imam Husain in this encounter. Thus Shimr was the paternal cousin of all the four brothers and also of Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh). He requested Ibn Ziyad for the protection of his above relatives which was granted to them. He therefore called all the four brothers and said: “You are my relatives from the paternal side. I have secured safety and protection for you.” But they replied: “Curse be upon you! You give us protection but there is no such safety for the grandson of the Holy Nabi (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam).”
Shimr handed over the letter of governor of Kufa to Umar bin Sa’d and he reluctantly agreed to comply with the orders.
Army’s Preliminary Movement
After Salat-ul-Asr, Umar bin Sa’d ordered his army to move. From the opposite side, Hazrat Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anh) appeared with twenty horsemen. Umar apprised him of the reply he received from Ubaidullah bin Ziyad. Hazrat Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anh) returned to convey the same to Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh). In the meantime, there was an exchange of dialogues between the representatives of the rival parties which was secured by the narrators.
Exchange of Words Between Men of Rival Forces
From Imam Husain’s side, Habib bin Mazahar came forward and said: “The worst people in the sight of Allah Ta’ala are those who present themselves before Him, while their hands are stained with the blood of the descendants of the Holy Nabi (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) and the pious persons of Kufa.”
Urwa bin Qais from the opposite side replied: “Boast as much as you can. Carry on propaganda about your own piety and purification.”
To this, Zaheer said: “Allah Himself has purified these persons and led them to the right path. Fear Allah and do not be an accomplice to the wrong-doers by killing innocent persons.”
Urwa replied: “O Zaheer! You were not the supporter of this family. Were you not a supporter of Hazrat Uthmân (radiyallahu ‘anh) earlier than today?”
Zaheer replied: “No doubt, it is true. I neither wrote any letter to Imam Husain nor sent any messenger to him but this journey had gathered us together. I saw him; that reminded me of the Holy Nabi (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) and also his love and affection for Husain. When I found that he was confronting with a mighty enemy, Allah put love in my heart for him. It is all due to my love for the Holy Nabi (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) that I have resolved to help him and to safeguard the very right of Allah and His Holy Last Messenger (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) which you have neglected.”
When Imam Husain came to know about the contents of Ibn Ziyad’s letter, he said that confrontation might be avoided on that day, so that they might be able to pray to Allah Ta’ala and ask for His Forgiveness. He added, “Allah knows how much I am fond of Allah’s ‘Ibadah and reciting Ayat from His Book.” This message being conveyed, the hostile army retreated.