Yet I hope that those among you who know the truth are...

Yet I hope that those among you who know the truth are numerous than those whom falsehood will (ultimately) destroy.” Abdullah bin Muslim bin Rabi’ah Hazrami, who was an ally of the Bani Umayyah stood up and said, “This mischief which you now see will not cease except by the use of force, and this attitude which you have towards the enemies is that of the timid ones.” Nu’man replied, “If I remain timid while obeying Allah, then I cherish it than remaining mighty while disobey­ing Him”, saying this he alighted from the pulpit and left.

Abdullah bin Muslim came out and then wrote a letter to Yazid bin Mu’awiyah saying, “Muslim bin Aqeel has come to Kufa and the Shi’ah have pledged the oath of allegiance to him on behalf of Husayn bin Ali. Then if you desire that Kufa should remain under your domain, dispatch a powerful man who would imple­ment your orders and act according to your command.

For Nu’man bin Basheer is a feeble man or is deliberately showing as weak.” Ammarah bin Uqbah and Umar bin Sa’ad bin Abi Waqqas too wrote similar letters to Yazid. When these letters reached Yazid he called for Sarjoon, the slave of Mu’awiyah and said, “Husayn has sent Muslim bin Aqeel to Kufa and people have started pledging their oath of allegiance to him, while Nu’man is a feeble man and there are other bad reports regarding him.

According to your opinion whom should I nominate as the governor of Kufa in his stead”? During that period Yazid was annoyed with Ubaydullah bin Ziyad. Sarjoon replied, “If today Mu’awiyah becomes alive would you listen to his counsel”? Yazid replied in the affirmative.

Sarjoon produced a letter of Mu’awiyah appointing Ubaydullah bin Ziyad as the governor of Kufa, and then said, “This is the advice of Mu’awiyah, for when he was about to die, he intended bestowing the governorship of Kufa and Basra both to Ubaydullah.” Yazid agreed and sent a message to Ubaydullah. Then he called for Muslim bin ‘Amr Bahilee, the father of Qutaybah, and handed over a letter in the name of Ubaydullah whose contents were as follows: “Now then!

My follow­ers in Kufa have written to me that the son of Aqeel is gathering troops to spread rebellion among the Muslims. Then when you read my letter, hasten towards Kufa and search for the son of Aqeel as if you were looking for a bead, until you find him. Then bind him (in chains), either kill him or banish him from the city. Salutations.” Yazid also gave him the authority for the Governorship of Kufa.