ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books A Shi'ite Encyclopedia (chapter 5) Tragedy of Karbala As Reported By the Sunnis (part Ii) The events that transpired with Muslim b. Aqil Al Husayn, peace be upon him, summoned Muslim b. Aqil and despatched him with Qays b. Mushir al Saydawi and Umara b. Abd Allah al Saluli, and Abd Allah and Abd al Rahman, sons of Shaddad al Arhabi. He enjoined him to be pious before God and to conceal his affair, and to act in a kindly way.

If he saw that the people were united and had commited themselves to an agreement, he should speedily inform him of that. Muslim, the mercy of God be on him, departed until he came to Medina. There he prayed in the mosque of the Apostle of God, may God bless him and his family, and said farewell to the dearest members of his family. Then he hired two guides. These two set out with him, but they missed the way and got lost.

Both were struck by severe thirst and were unable to continue their journey. They indicated the path to him after it again appeared clear to them. Muslim carried on along the path and the two guides died of thrist. Muslim b. Aqil, the mercy of God be with them both, wrote a letter from the place known as al Madiq and sent it with Qays b. Mushir: I set out from Medina with two guides and they missed the way and got lost. Both were overcome by thirst and soon died.

But we kept going until we came to water. We were only saved at the last moment of our lives. That water is in a place called al- Madiq in a low valley. I have taken this as a bad omen for my mission. If you consider it so, you could relieve me and send another in my place. Greetings. Al-Husayn, peace be upon him, wrote (back): I am afraid that your urging me in the letter to relieve you from the task which I sent you on is only cowardice. Therefore go on with your task which I gave you.

Greetings. Muslim read the letter, he said: "It is not for myself that I am afraid." So he continued (once more) until he came to a well belonging to (the tribe of) Tayyi'. He stayed there (the night) then as he rode off (he saw) a man hunting. He saw him shoot a fawn as it came into his sight, and kill it. Muslim said: "(Thus), will we kill our enemies, God willing." He went on until he entered Kufa. There he stayed in the house of al-Mukhtar b.

Abi Ubayda, which is called today the house of Muslim b. al-Musayyib. The Shia began to come regularly to (see) him.