Then he and his household headed for the capital of his grandfather (Medina).

Then he and his household headed for the capital of his grandfather (Medina). The people of Kufa, of all classes, went out to see him off. Some of them wept, and some of them felt sorry (for his departure).[^1] They wept for their miserable luck and their lost happiness that they had destroyed with their own hands. The caliphate and the public treasury were moved from their country to Damascus. That deprived them of sleep, but it was too late. They were the leaders of the state.

Suddenly their country, after their deserting Imam al-Hasan and refraining from supporting him, became one like any other city. The Syrian military units entered their country and controlled them. A terrorist, violent, merciless government was established in their country. Imam al-Hasan, his household, along with Abu Rafi‘, the treasurer, departed Kufa. Depression and sadness dominated Kufa. Unhappiness, plague, and destruction befell it.

Allah let down upon them plague after the departure of Imam al-Hasan. The plague put an end to many Kufans. Al-Mughira bin Shu‘ba, the governor of Kufa, escaped from Kufa, and then he returned to it after a time. When he arrived in it, the plague swept him away, and he died of that.[^2] The Imam’s caravan walked and covered the desert. When it arrived in Deir Hind[^3] , the Imam looked at his capital with sorrow and agony.

Then recited a poetry line from which we understand that he was displeased and sad. He said: Not because of hate I have left the house of my associates, who had protected my possessions and my sacred things.[^4] Imam al-Hasan said farewell to Kufa with sorrow and sighs. He did not mention the desertion and treason he met from its inhabitants. Therefore, what an angelic this soul was! He met an opposition and misfortunes from this city. Then he said farewell to it through this verse of poetry.

He mentioned nothing of its long, wide history but the faithfulness of the faithful, “who protected his possessions and his sacred things,” protected him from those who attacked him in al-Mada’in, and obeyed him on the hard day at Maskan. So they were truthful brothers and good supporters though they were few in number. [^1] Al-Fakhuri, Tuhfat al-Anam, p. 67. [^2] Al-Mas‘udi, vol. 6, p. 97. [^3] Deer Hind is a place at al-Hira.

Hind, daughter of al-Nu‘man bin al-Mundhir, became a nun at it, and it was called by her name. [^4] Ibn Abi al-Hadeed, Sharh Nahj al-Balagha, vol. 4, p.6. The procession of the Imam walked.