ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Maqtal al-Husayn The Severed Heads Ibn Sa’d ordered the heads to be severed from their bodies. They were distributed to various tribes that used them as means to seek favour with Ibn Ziyad. The Kindah tribe took thirteen brought by their envoy, Qays Ibn al-Ash’ath. The Hawazin tribe brought twelve with their “man,” Shimr Ibn Thul-Jawshan.

The Tamim tribe brought seventeen; the Banu Asad tribe brought sixteen; the Mathhaj tribe brought seven, and the other tribes brought the rest.[^1] The tribe to whom al-Hurr al-Riyahi belonged refused to cut anyone's head or to trample on the Imam's body with its horses.[^2] On the tenth day, Ibn Sa’d had already entrusted the head of Imam al-Husayn (‘a) to Khawli Ibn Yazid al-Asbahi and Hamid Ibn Muslim al-Azdi.

He entrusted the heads of the Imam's family members and those of his companions to al-Shimr, Qays Ibn al-Ash’ath and ‘Amr Ibn al-Hajjaj.[^3] Khawli's house was one farasang from Kufa. Khawli hid the head from his Ansari wife whom he knew to be loyal to , peace be upon them. But when she saw a light emanating from the bakery oven [where it was hidden], she was terrified. When she came closer, she heard the voices of al-Husayn's women mourning al-Husayn in the most somber way.

She mentioned this to her husband then went out crying.[^4] Since then, she never used any kohl nor any perfume out of her grief for al-Husayn (‘a). She was called ‘Ayoof.[^5] In the morning, Khawli took the head to the governor's mansion. By then, Ibn Ziyad had returned from his camp at al-Nakhila. Khawli put the head in front of Ibn Ziyad as he recited these poetic verses: Fill my stirrup with silver or with gold: I killed the master of every honour told, Their best when they mention descent.

I killed the best of people, son of the best parent. But these words, spoken in front of everyone, were met by Ibn Ziyad with outrage. “Since you knew that he was that honourable,” said Ibn Ziyad, “why did you then take part in killing him?! By Allah, you will receive nothing from me at all.”[^6] [^1]: Ibn Tawus, Al-Luhuf, p. 81. al-’Ayni, ‘Umdat al-Qari fi Sharh al-Bukhari, Vol. 7, p. 656, where the name of ‘Urwah Ibn Qays is included among them.

[^2]: al-Hajj Shaikh Muhammad Baqir Ibn Mawla Hasan al-Qa’ini al-Birjandi al-Safi (henceforth referred to only as Shaikh Muhammad Baqir al-Birjandi al-Safi), Al-Kibrit al-Ahmar. [^3]: Shaikh al-Mufid, Al-Irshad. [^4]: Rawdat al-Shuhada'. On p. 190, Vol.