9th ZilHijjah is the day
of martyrdom of Hazrat Muslim ibn-e-Aqeel (AS) and the day of Arafa
The day of Arafa
The 9th of ZilHajj is also
the day of Arafa. There are special bounties for observing fast of this day.
Therefore, all momineen and mominaat are encouraged to observe fast on this
day. Of special significance is the recitation of Dua-e-Arafa on this day.
This day represents an
important day in the Hajj pilgrimage. It is the day of Arafah on which the Hajj
pilgrims make their way towards the plain of Arafat from Mina. The day is
followed by Eid ul Azha (Festival of Sacrifice). The day of Arafa holds a great
deal of importance in Islam, as is evident from a hadith by Imam Zainul Abideen
(AS):
"O God, this is the
day of Arafah a day which you have made noble, given honor and magnified within
it. You have spread your mercy, showed kindness through your pardon, made
plentiful you’re giving and by it you have been gracious towards your
servants." (Sahifa as-Sajjadiyyah, Dua no. 47)
This significant day is a
source of blessing for all Muslims. This day has special Aamaal (supplications)
narrated from the Imams for the day as well as the night the follows it. The
night of Arafat, especially, holds great importance as it is one of the seven
nights in the Islamic calendar that hold special significance - the other six
being Shab e Qadr, Shab e Mairaaj, Shab e Baraat, 15th of Shabaan, and the two
nights of Eid. One hadith narrates that once Imam Zain ul Abideen (AS) saw a
man begging from people on the day of Arafah. Imam said, "Woe unto you
that on a day like this you are asking from other than God. This is a day when
the mercy and grace of Allah reaches (even) the fetus in the womb."
Martyrdom of Muslim
ibn-e-Aqeel (AS)
9th of Zilhaj also marks
one of the darkest days in the early history of Islam when Hazrat Muslim ibn
Aqeel was martyred on this day in 60 Hijri. This is the first martyrdom from
amongst the family of the Holy Prophet (PBUH&HF) directly related to the
tragedy of Karbala. Hazrat Muslim was the son of the Prophet’s (PBUH&HF)
uncle Aqeel ibn Abu Talib, and therefore, a cousin of Imam Hussain (AS). He had
the distinct honor of being the emissary of Imam Hussein (AS) as the Imam
sought to gauge interest from the people of Kufa on their many invitations to
visit their city.
When Imam Hussain (AS)
left Madina on 28th Rajab, 60 AH for Makkah (for his final journey towards
Karbala), Hazrat Muslim (AS) also accompanied him with his wife and children.
They arrived in Makkah on 3rd Shabaan, 60 AH.
During Imam Hussain (AS)'s
stay in Makkah, Imam received many invitations from Kufa, to go there and lead
and guide them towards real Islam. Imam decided to send Hazrat Muslim (AS) as
his emissary with a mandate to go and check the situation of Kufa and make
arrangements for Imam's arrival.
Imam wrote a letter for
the people of Kufa, and handed it to Muslim. In that letter he said:
"I am sending my
cousin and one of the most trusted ones from my family, Muslim ibn Aqeel, to
report to me about your affairs. If his report agrees with what you have
written I will soon be with you. You must be clear of the fact that the Imam is
the only one who follows the book of Allah, and serves Allah in all matters and
affairs with justice, honesty and truth."
Hazrat Muslim (AS) left
Makkah with his 2 sons, Muhammad and Ibrahim and arrived in Kufa towards the
end of 60 AH. He was welcomed by multitudes and the whole atmosphere seemed
congenial for Imam’s arrival. Hazrat Muslim (AS) wrote to Imam Hussain (AS) to
invite him to proceed towards Kufa. However, when Yazid came to know about
this, he immediately dispatched Ibne Ziyad, trusted advisor and commander of
his army, to Kufa, to capture Hazrat Muslim (AS) and in the event of a
worsening situation, to kill him.
On his arrival, Ibn Ziyad delivered
a sermon in the Grand Mosque threatening people with dire consequences if they
chose to act against the government of Yazid.
Ibn Ziyad also deployed
his spies to find out the hiding place of Muslim ibn Aqeel. He sent one of his
servants Maqil to pose as a sympathiser of Imams cause and infiltrate the inner
circles of Shias in Kufa. Maqil was successful in his mission, and found out
that Muslim ibn Aqeel was staying at the house of Hani ibn Urwah. Hani was subsequently
imprisoned, and the hunt for Muslim continued. Muslim took this opportunity to
gather a large number of his followers and marched towards the mansion of Ibn
Ziyad. Their number was close to 4000, and they heavily outnumbered the
mansions guards and other law enforcement personnel. Seeing that there was no
way to escape, Ibn Ziyad told the people that a large number of reinforcements
were on their way to Kufa from Damascus. He warned the people of the evil
consequences should they persist with their demands.
Following the hollow
threats of Ibn Ziyad, the number of Muslims followers quickly started
declining. Muslim used to lead prayers in Kufas Grand Mosque, and after the
seige had lasted a couple of days, people became more weary of his cause, and
ultimately left Muslim all alone. Having finished his Maghrib prayers, Muslim
turned around only to find that no one was there. The large following that had
vowed to shed their blood for Hussain (AS) was nowhere to be found. Muslim (AS)
was a complete stranger in Kufa. He was tired, hungry, and exhausted. He roamed
the streets of Kufa all alone looking for refuge, until a lady named Tawah saw
Muslim outside her home and offered him food, water, and shelter for the night.
Tawahs son discovered Muslims identity and reported to one of the captains of
Ibn Ziyads army.
The next morning Ibne
Ziyad tried to capture Hazrat Muslim (AS). There was a ferocious battle, Hazrat
Muslim (AS) on one side, all alone, with over 500 soldiers on the other side,
who were fully armed. Kufa had never seen such a battle before. Single-handed,
Hazrat Muslim (AS) defeated the army of 500. More troops were called. It was
decided that it would be impossible to capture Hazrat Muslim (AS) unless he is
tricked. A pit was dug and covered with leaves. While fighting, Hazrat Muslim (AS)
fell into the pit and was captured. He was taken to Ibn Ziyad who ordered that
Muslim be executed immediately. Muslim (AS) was taken to the roof of the palace
to be executed. He was decapitated and his body was thrown to the ground. He
was mercilessly killed on 9th Zilhaj, 60 AH the day of Arafah when Muslims were
getting ready to celebrate the festivities of Eid ul Adha. The evil ruler did
not settle for Muslim’s life. After Muslim (AS) was martyred, his body was
dragged through the streets of Kufa as a warning to the people who opposed the
rule of Yazid. Thus, he became the first martyr of the epic battle of Karbala. He
is buried in Kufa where thousands of people go annually to visit his grave to
pay their respects.
May Gods curse be on the
enemies of Ahl ul Bayt (AS). Ameen!
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