[24] Signs of the Killing of Hussain Ibn Ali in Different Places...

[24] Signs of the Killing of Hussain Ibn Ali in Different Places: Abu ‘Abdillah (Imam Baqir -asws ) said: Hisharn ibn ‘Abd Malik [25] sent (some of his soldiers) to take my father (Imam Baqir -asws ) to Shaam. When my father -asws entered (the palace), Hisham said, “O Aba Ja’far -asws ! I have brought you -asws here to ask you -asws a question that should not be asked by anyone other than me.

I do not think that it is possible for anyone to know of this matter nor do I think that anyone is even capable of knowing of this matter except for one man.” My -asws father -asws said, “The commander of the believers [26] , can ask me whatever he wishes. If’ I -asws know the answer, I -asws will answer it. And if I -asws do not, I -asws will say that’ I do not know, for truth is more worthy of being told.” Hisham asked: Tell me about the night on which ‘Ali -asws Ibn Abi Talib -asws was killed.

How did those who were absent from the city in which he was killed learn of his -asws killing? And what was the sign of his -asws death (that appeared) for the people? If you know the answer, then tell me if that sign ever reappeared at the death of anyone other than ‘AIi -asws . My father -asws said: On the night on which the Amir-ul-Momineen -asws was killed, no rock was moved (anywhere) on earth without fresh blood being seen under it until the break of dawn.

The same thing happened on the night on which Harunas, brother of Musa -as , was killed. The same thing happened on the night on which Yusha’ ibn Nun -as was killed. The same thing happened on the night on which ‘Isa -as ibn Maryam -as was raised to the sky. The same thing happened on the night on which Sharm’un ibn Hammun AI-Safa -as was killed. The same thing happened on the night on which ‘Ali -asws Ibn Abi Talib -asws was killed.

The same thing happened on the night on which Hussain Ibn ‘AIi -asws was killed. Imam Sadiq -asws continued: Hisham’s face and colour changed out of anger (when he heard this) and he was about to attack my -asws father -asws . But (in the end) Hisham said, “You may return to your family if you so choose.