ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Nafasul Mahmum, Relating to the heart rending tragedy of Karbala' On Imam Husayn (a.s.)’s intention on proceeding towards Makkah (from Madina) and the letters addressed to him by the people of Kufa When Imam Husayn (a.s.) intended going towards Makkah, Abdullah bin Muti’ came to meet him and said, “May I be your ransom! Where do you intend going”?

Imam replied, “Presently I have decided to go to Makkah, after that I shall seek consultation from the Almighty.” Abdullah said, “May Allah destine goodness for you! You may go to Makkah, but lest you go to Kufa for it is an ill-omened city. Your father was assassinated therein and your brother was rendered helpless, was forsaken and wounded by a spear and it was near that he would succumb to that wound.

You may remain attached to the Ka’bah for you are the Master of the Arabs and the people of Hijaz (region of West Arabia, the barrier land, running parallel to the Red Sea and wherein lies the dual holy cities of Makkah and Madina) do not regard anyone else as your equal.

The people therein will exert themselves to hasten to your aid, may I be your ransom, for if you are killed we shall be enslaved and conquered after you.” Shaikh Mufeed says that Imam Husayn (a.s.) proceeded towards Makkah taking the main roads reciting the following verse of the Qur’an: “So he went forth in fear, apprehending.” (Surah al-Qasas, 28:21) Someone told him, “It would be better if we take a crooked road as Abdullah bin Zubayr and avoid the main road, so that those in our pursuit might not reach you.” Imam re­plied, “No by Allah!

I shall not forsake this road, until Allah commands me further.” Imam Husayn (a.s.) entered Makkah on Friday the third of the month of Sha’ban reciting the following verse: “And when he (Prophet Moosa) turned his face towards (the land of) Madyan, said: Maybe my Lord will guide me in the right path.” (Surah al-Qasas, 28:22) When Imam Husayn (a.s.) settled in Makkah, the people therein and those who had come for the Hajj (Annual Pilgrimage to Makkah), and people from other towns came to meet him.

Abdullah bin Zubayr too was in Makkah and had taken asylum near the Ka’bah and prayed and circumambulated it. He too accompa­nied by other people came to offer his salutations to Imam Husayn (a.s.) once in every two days consequently or often more.