ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Mukhtar a Biograghy Chapter 7 - Mukhtar's Release Kumayl travels from Medina to Kufa; on his way he wonders if Ubaydallah Ziyad has got wind of the developments and has sent soldiers to intercept him and kill him, thereby not receiving Yazeed's decree for freeing Mukhtar.

Near the gates of Kufa (boundary into Kufa), Kumayl covers his face (as was the customary dress to protect against the desert winds) and rides through in an energetic manner, to give the impression of a young rider so as to fool any soldiers looking for an old person.

Kumayl finally reaches Ubaydallah Ziyad's court and says that he has got message to deliver to Ubaydallah Ziyad; Ubaydallah Ziyad reads the decree and recognises that Mukhtar's freedom will finally be the cause of his downfall and death, but dare not oppose Yazeed's order.

A blacksmith is ordered to cut off Mukhtar's chains, his wounds are attended to by a doctor, then he is brought to Ubaydallah Ziyad; (one source says that Mukhtar's one eye turned blind during the imprisonment and it was the eye damaged by the guards when Mukhtar did not salute Ubaydallah Ziyad in the presence of all the other Chiefs); Ubaydallah Ziyad orders Mukhtar to leave Kufa within three days, or he will be imprisoned again.

Mukhtar advises Kumayl that it is best for Kumayl also to leave Kufa, and they both leave Kufa the next day; Mukhtar tells Kumayl of his plan to raise an army to avenge the perpetrators of Kerbala; they part company just outside Kufa; Kumayl goes to his tribe of Bani Kanda and Mukhtar heads for Medina.

Mukhtar arrives at Abdulla Omar's house and meets his sister Safiya (my deduction: Mukhtar is released in late 61 AH/very early 62 AH, for if Kerbala survivors were in Medina after Chehlum of 62 AH, surely Mukhtar would have visited them); brother and sister are both very happy at the reunion and Safiya is overcome with joy to an unconscious state; Safiya does not regain conscious and dies.