Al-Waleed sent eighty horsemen to trace az-Zubair and his brother.

Al-Waleed sent eighty horsemen to trace az-Zubair and his brother. They searched all the known routes to Mecca but could not find the desert route followed by ibn az-Zubair.[^1] Ibn az-Zubair reached Mecca and sought asylum in the sanctuary of the Kaaba, where he sought to win over followers by pretensions to piety. From the four persons summoned by al-Waleed, only Imam Husayn (a.s.) met him.

Al-Waleed himself showed respect to Imam Husayn (S) and shirked the thought of causing any harm to the Prophet’s grandson. At the meeting, al-Waleed read out the first part of the letter demanding Imam Husayn’s allegiance, and then he gave the letter to Imam Husayn (a.s.) to read the later part.

On seeing that the letter contained the command to kill him, Imam Husayn suggested that al-Waleed should gather the people of Medina in a public meeting and ascertain their opinion whether Imam Husayn (a.s.) should take the oath of allegiance acknowledging Yazid’s sovereignty. Al-Waleed agreed to do so, but the cunning Marwan intervened and told al-Waleed either to obtain the oath of allegiance there and then, or to kill Imam Husayn (a.s.) immediately.

Imam Husayn (a.s.) became angry at the audacity of Marwan and raised his voice in protest, and the Hashimites, who were waiting outside, immediately rushed in.[^2] On realizing that the situation has become volatile, Marwan slunk away through a back door and al-Waleed pacified Imam Husayn (a.s.). Later, Marwan told al-Waleed, “ You missed the best opportunity to kill Husayn and protect Yazid’s Caliphate .” The next day, there was a chance encounter between Marwan and Imam Husayn (a.s.).

Marwan accosted the Imam and said, “ I advice you to swear allegiance to Yazid and reap the benefits .” The Imam (a.s.) replied, “ It is because of us [the infallible pones] God opened up creation. It is due to us that creatures get their sustenance, and it is due to us that life continues. The likes of me do not pay allegiance to the likes of him (Yazid). [^3] You want me to swear allegiance to Yazid who is an infidel and immoral person.

No wonder it is you who is supporting Yazid, for it is you, Marwan, whom the Prophet (S) had banished for sedition and mischief .” Like his noble father Ali (a.s.), Imam Husayn neither surrendered to the threats nor was he trapped by flattery. From the beginning until his end, Imam Husayn (a.s.) staunchly opposed the debauch and tyrant Yazid.