Yazid Began to Weep
The narrator reported that on hearing this pathetic story, Yazid’s eyes brimmed with tears, and he said: “I could be pleased at your loyalty even without the murder of Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh). May Allah curse the son of Ibn Sumiyya (Ibn Ziyad, la’natullahi ‘alayh)! By Allah, had I been present there, I would certainly have forgiven Husain. May Allah shower his blessings upon Husain.” Yazid did not give any reward to the messenger.
Yazid’s Reaction
Qasim bin Abdur-Rahman, a slave of Yazid, reported that when heads of Hazrat Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) and that of the Ahli-Bayt were placed before Yazid, he recited the following verse:
“The swords sever the heads of those whom we love, though they were in fact tyrants who neglected the truth.”
Then said: “By Allah, O’ Husain! Had I been there I would not have killed you.”
Ahli-Bayt in Damascus
After sending the head of Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) Ibn Ziyad dispatched the remaining members of the Ahli-Bait to Damascus under the escort of Shimr bin Zil Joushan and Mahzar bin Tha’laba. Imam Zain-ul-Abidin kept quiet throughout the journey. He did not speak even a single word to anybody. On arrival in the court of Yazid, Mazhar bin Tha’laba cried: “O’ Commander of the faithful! I have brought sinners before you.” On hearing this Yazid got annoyed and said: “No woman had given birth to a more vicious and wicked child than Tha’laba’s mother.”
Yazid and Imam Zain-ul-Abidin
Yazid then sent for his Syrian chiefs to his court, and addressing Imam Zain-ul-Abidin, he said: “O’ Ali! It was your father who broke off family relationship, forgot my rights, tried to oust me from my rule. You have already seen the results of disobedience committed by your father.” In response, Imam Zain-ul-Abidin (radiyallahu ‘anh) recited the following Ayats of the Holy Qur’an:
“There falls not a calamity either in the earth or on yourself but it is recorded in a book before We bring it into being. Surely that is easy for Allah, that you may not grieve over what is lost to you or exult because of that which He has given to you. And Allah loves not the conceited and the haughty.” (Surah al-Hadeed, ayats 22-23)
Yazid was displeased to hear this. He desired that his son Khalid should give the answer but Khalid did not understand anything. Then Yazid, pointing out to Khalid said:
“And whatever misfortune befalls you is due to what your own hands have earned. And He forgives many of your sins.” (Surah al-Shura, ayat 30)
Then Yazid turned his attention towards other children and women who were made prisoners. Yazid was greatly moved at their sad plight and declared: “May Allah curse Ibn Marjana (Ubaidullah Ibn Ziyad)! Had he been related to you he would have have treated you in such a way, no sent you to me in this pitiable condition.”
Fearless and Daring Conversation of Hazrat Sayyidah Zainab (radiyallahu ‘anha)
Hazrat Fatimah bint Ali reported that when we were brought before Yazid, he took pity on us and treated us gently. While we were sitting in a court a Syrian lad stood up and pointing to me requested Yazid to deliver me to him. I was in teen and was very pretty. I began to tremble with fear and caught the hand of elder sister Hazrat Sayyidah Zainab (radiyallahu ‘anha), who was older than I. She was very wise and knew that it could never happen. She shouted at the lad: “You are a wretched fellow. Neither you nor he (pointing at Yazid) has the power to do so.
Yazid got angry at this boldness and said: “You tell a lie. By Allah, this is within my powers if I wish to do so. Hazrat Zainab (radiyallahu ‘anha) retorted: “No, Allah has not given you this power. It is otherwise if you leave our party and become apostate by renouncing our religion.” Yazid got annoyed further and said: “It was your father and brother who renounced the religion.” Hazrat Sayyidah Zainab (radiyallahu ‘anha) promptly replied: “It was Allah’s religion, my father’s religion, my brother’s religion, my grandfather’s religion from which you, your father, and your grandfather obtained guidance.” Yazid shouted: “O’ enemy of Allah! You tell a lie.” Hazrat Zainab replied, “You have become a ruler by force. You are misusing your powers with tyranny and are oppressing the people with your force.”
Hazrat Fatimah bint Ali added that this conversation made Yazid to feel ashamed because then he kept silent. The Syrian lad, however, stood up again and repeated his request. On this, Yazid scolded him, “Be off, O’ wretch! May Allah send death to you!”
Consultation with Syrian Chiefs
Yazid consulted the Syrian courtiers in regard to the treatment of the prisoners. Some suggested harsh treatment while Nu’man bin Bashir said: “They should be treated in the matter the Holy Nabi (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) would have treated them on seeing their plight.” On hearing this, Hazrat Fatimah said: “O’ Yazid! They are daughters of the Holy Nabi (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam).” This reference moved Yazid and his courtiers to tears and he ordered for their lodging in an independent house.
Yazid’s Wife Expresses Grief
Meanwhile, the news of the arrival of the prisoners reached Yazid’s household. His wife, Hind bint ‘Abdullah, put on veil on her face and came out. She asked Yazid: “O’ Commander of the Faithful! Is it the head of Husain ibn Fatimah, daughter of the Holy Last Messenger of Allah?” Yazid replied, “Yes, weep as much as you can on the murder of grandson on the Holy Nabi (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) and of the scions of the Hashimi house. The wicked Ibn Ziyad made haste in killing him. May Allah kill him too.”