Imam’s presence in Makkah made him uneasy...

Imam’s presence in Makkah made him uneasy, for he knew that till the time Imam remained in Makkah, the people therein would not pledge their oath of allegiance to him (for he too eyed the Caliphate). Because they held the Imam dear and con­sidered him more worthy to rule over them.” As regards the people of Kufa, when they received the news of the death of Mu’awiyah they started vilifying Yazid.

Besides they were informed that Imam Husayn (a.s.) had refused to swear the oath of allegiance to Yazid and had gone to Makkah. While Abdullah bin Zubayr too had fled to Makkah with him and competed with him. The followers (Shi’ah) of Imam gathered at the house of Sulayman bin Surad Khuza’i and discussed about the death of Mu’awiyah and praised and glori­fied Allah.

Sulayman arose and said, “Mu’awiyah is dead, and Imam Husayn (a.s.) has refused to swear the oath of allegiance to Yazid and has pro­ceeded towards Makkah. You are his and his father’s followers (Shi’ah), then if you desire assisting him and fighting his enemies, write to him and inform him about it.

But if you fear lest you would turn sluggish and retreat, then do not betray him (by inviting him here).” Everyone una­nimously swore that they would support him and fight his enemies under his command and offer their lives for sacrifice. When Sulayman heard this he invited them to write letters addressing to the Imam and they wrote as follows: Letters of the people of Kufa to Imam Husayn (a.s.) “In the name of Allah the Beneficent, the Merciful.

To Husayn bin Ali (a.s.) from Sulayman bin Surad, Musayyab bin Najabah, Rufa’ah bin Shaddad, Habib bin Mazahir and other followers from the citizens of Kufa, the be­lievers and Muslims. Peace be upon you! We praise and glorify Allah before you, besides Whom there is no other Deity. Now then! Praise be to Allah that He has destroyed your obstinate enemy.

The one (referred to Mu’awiyah) who had leapt upon the Islamic nation and snatched their affairs into his own hands and grabbed their booty and seized control of it without their consent. He killed the virtuous and spared the wicked ones. And he scat­tered the wealth of Allah among the tyrants and the wealthy people, thus he was annihilated as (the people of) Samood were destroyed, and we have no Imam left with us (except you).

We request you to come to us so that Allah may unite us upon the truth.