But Amr ibn Hurayth said to him...
But Amr ibn Hurayth said to him, “She is a woman, and one cannot take women’s talk too seriously.” So Ibn Ziyad turned to her and retorted: “Oh Zainab! Allah has made my heart cured by getting rid of your transgressor Al-Husayn and the disobedient rebels from your household!” Zaynab (sa) then replied back: “By my life, you have killed my protector, severed my stem, and up-rooted my origin.
If that was your cure, then you are cured!” Now is that dialogue between a ruler and a heart-broken lady whom he killed her brothers and family members…considered to be gallantry and chivalry? Is this behavior of gloating and rejoicing over misfortunes considered to be good treatment of captives? Does that behavior even agree with the Arab customs during the time of ignorance?! Does it fit well with the teachings of Islam?
Isn’t the maltreatment of captives in such manner and their humiliation in front of the people considered to be a war crime and a clear violation of human rights, according to any human law and standard?!
Then Ibn Ziyad, the Second defendant turned to ‘Ali ibn Al Al-Husayn (as) and asked him, “Who are you?” So he answered, “I am ‘Ali ibn Al-Husayn.” Ibn Ziyad then asked, “Didn’t Allah kill ‘Ali ibn Al-Husayn?” So ‘Ali ibn Al-Husayn (as) replied, “I had a brother called ‘Ali and the people have killed him.” So Ibn Ziyad snapped back, “No, but Allah has killed him!” ‘Ali ibn Al-Husayn (as) then said, “Allah collects back souls when its due time comes, and a soul will never die except by Allah’s command.
It is a timed book.” So Ibn Ziyad replied, “By Allah, you are one of them! Look at him and see if he has reached puberty!” They answered yes so he said, “Kill him!” ‘Ali ibn Al-Husayn (as) then asked, “So who will look after these women and guard them?” Here, Zainab bint ‘Ali (as) held on to her nephew and said, “Oh son of Ziyad! Are you not satisfied from shedding our blood?
By Allah I ask you Oh Ibn Ziyad that if you kill him, kill me along with him!” So ‘Ali ibn Al Al-Husayn (as) turned to her and said, “Oh Aunt! Keep quiet so that I talk to him.” Then he directed his words to Ibn Ziyad and said, “Oh son of Ziyad! Are you threatening to kill me? Don’t you know that being killed is our way of life, and martyrdom is our honor from Allah?!” So Ibn Ziyad looked at both of them and said, “Let him go for her sake.