So he sent a message to Marwan bin al-Hakam[^23] to come to him.

So he sent a message to Marwan bin al-Hakam[^23] to come to him.[^24] Walid Seeks Counsel from Marwan When Walid read Yazid’s letter to Marwan, the latter pronounced the verse: “Verily, we belong to Allah and to Him do we indeed return”, and invoked Allah’s mercy upon Mu’awiyah. Walid then asked for his advice saying: “In your opinion what shall we do?” Marwan replied: “I think you should send a messenger to these people and invite them to pledge their allegiance and submit to Yazid’s authority.

If they did that, accept it from them and leave them. But if they refused, you should strike their heads. You must do this before they become aware of Mu’awiyah’s death. Otherwise, each of them will scatter away and announce his opposition and rejection, and will invite people toward himself.”[^25] Walid’s Envoy Walid sent ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amru bin ‘Uthman[^26] -who was then a young man- to summon al-Husayn (as) and Ibn al-Zubair. He found them sitting in the mosque.

So he came [later] at a time when Walid did not usually have any meeting with the people, nor would the people come to him at such a time.[^27] The messenger said to them: “The governor is calling you, so answer him!” They said: “Proceed!

We are coming to him.”[^28] Then they looked at one another and ‘Abdullah bin al-Zubair said to al-Husayn (as): “What do you think should be the reason that he has sent for us at this unusual hour?” Al-Husayn (as) replied: “I think the tyrant among them has perished[^29], so he has summoned us to take allegiance from us before the news spread to the people.” Ibn al-Zubair said: “I suppose it is so.

What do you intend to do then?” Al-Husayn (as) answered: “I will gather my young men right now and will go to see him. As I reach the entrance, I will leave the young men by the gate and enter myself.” Ibn al-Zubair remarked: “I indeed fear for you if you enter.” Al-Husayn (as) replied: “I will not go to see him unless I am capable of refusing [what he wants from me].” He then left the mosque and assembled his servants and the members of his household.

They all walked until they reached the door of Walid. He then said to his companions: “I am entering. If I call you, or you hear my voice raised, then rush your way in. Otherwise, remain in your positions until I come out.”[^30] Al-Husayn (as) Meets Walid Al-Husayn (as) entered and greeted the governer while Marwan was sitting next to him. [Marwan had once cut off from Walid as mentioned earlier].