[^5]: Al-Tabari (5:466): “[Abu Mikhnaf says that I narrate...

[^5]: Al-Tabari (5:466): “[Abu Mikhnaf says that I narrate this] from ‘Abd al-Rahman bin ‘Ubaid Abu al-Kanud, on the authority of Sulaiman bin Abi Rashid…” [^6]: Hisham reports: “‘Awanah bin al-Hakam has related to me saying: ‘When ‘Ubaidullah bin Ziyad killed Husayn bin ‘Ali, he summoned ‘Abd al-Malik bin Abi Harith al-Salami and said: ‘Go to Madinah and meet ‘Amru bin Sa’id bin al-‘Ass -who was then the governor of Madinah- and give him the news of the death of al-Husayn.

None other than you should inform him of the news. Do not fall ill. If your mount happened to tire, buy another one.’ He [also] gave him some money (dananir). ‘Abd al-Malik says: ‘So I came to Madinah and went to see ‘Amru bin Sa’id. He said: ‘What is the news?’ I said: ‘That which would please the governor! Al-Husayn bin ‘Ali has been killed!’ He said: ‘Then announce his death!’ So I announced it.

I had never heard before the like of the wails of the women of the Hashimite from their houses, mourning al-Husayn. ‘Amru bin Sa’id laughed [at this] and said: The women of the Banu Ziyad raised a great lament like the lamentation of our women, mourning [after the battle] of al-Arnab.’* ‘Amru then ascended the pulpit and informed the people about his death.” See also al-Irshad (pg.247; Najaf edition).

[In another report] Hisham says: “‘Awanah related to me that: ‘Ubaidullah bin Ziyad said to ‘Umar bin Sa’d: ‘O ‘Umar! Where is the letter that I wrote to you [instructing] you to kill al-Husayn?’ He said: ‘I carried out your order, [but] the letter is lost.’ ‘You must bring it!’ insisted Ibn Ziyad. ‘It is lost’, ‘Umar replied. ‘By Allah, you must bring it to me,’ he repeated. ‘Umar said, ‘By Allah, it has been left in Madinah to be read for the olden women of Quraish, as an apology to them!

By Allah, I have been sincere [enough] with you with regard to the issue of al-Husayn, such that if I had acted with such loyalty to my own father, Sa’d bin Abi Waqqas, I would have discharged my duty towards him.’ [Here] ‘Uthman bin Ziyad, the brother of ‘Ubaidullah, says: ‘By Allah, he has said the truth.

I wish I would have seen the mark of slavery on every man of the Banu Ziyad till the Day of Resurrection, but that al-Husayn should not have been killed!” Hisham says: “‘Amru bin Haizum al-Kalbi narrated to me from his father that he heard a voice calling out: O men who ignorantly killed al-Husayn, hear the news of punishment and chastisement.