Answer to the well wishers of Yazid (L.A)

By: Dr. Sakhawat Hussain Sandralvi

It's a shame that Mufti Mohammad Rovais Khan Ayyubi has written four fake, insulting, and full of lying articles in a newly born weekly newspaper called Nida-e-Waqat (New York) in which he insulted Sayyid-us- Shuhadaa Imam Hussain (a.s.).

His quotations and statements are false, his claims are not genuine. Mufti has written that Shias have killed Imam Hussain (a.s.) to protect Yazid and his army. Let me clarify that Shias are loyal to their Imams even in severe hardships.

Zakir Naik, well wisher of Yazid(l.a)

We have been commemorating the days of martyrdom for 1369 years (since the tragedy of Karbala). Shias never wrote letters to Imam Hussain, but the letters were written by disloyal so called Muslims of Kufa to Imam Hussain. All of them wrote to Imam that we do not have any Imam please come, we will make you Imam. Mufti, Shias always have Imams and they don't appoint Imam, they believe that Imam is appointed by Allah.

Lovers and Defenders of Yazeed

The famous historian Tabari narrates that twelve thousand letters were written to Imam Hussain, but according to him there were only two free Shias living in Kufa so two people can not write twelve thousand letters. Mufti further more writes that Yazid was not responsible for killing Imam Hussain (a.s.) I ask Mr. Mufti the following questions and I will pursue to the next issue in the next article :

1. In the letter which was written to Waleed by Yazid Why did Yazid ask for Waleed to send head of Imam Hussain with the answer of this letter?
2. Why didn't Yazid condemn the killing of Imam Hussain(a.s.) and his faithful companions?
3. Why Yazid did not fire Obaidullah -ibn-Ziad, Omar-ibn-Saad, and Shimmr from their posts?
4. Why Yazid insulted the head of Imam Hussain in his court if he was not happy with this killing?
5. Who arranged all the jashans in Damascus besides Yazid?
6. Who ordered to insult the grand daughters of Prophet and the other ladies of Ahlulbait in the market of Damascus?
7. If Yazid was not the planner of killing of Imam Hussain (a.s.) why he asked Imam Zain-ul-Abideen that who is winner of this war ?
8. When Sayyida Zainab asked Yazid if Prophet comes today and sees his grand daughter heads uncovered will he support you or us why he did not reply?
9. When Abdullah-ibn-Omar cursed on Yazid while saying you are killer of Imam Hussain why he did not deny?
10. If Yazid was not responsible for the tragedy of Karbala why he kept Ahlulbait in jail for one year?
11. If Yazid was not responsible for the tragedy of Karbala why he awarded the killers of Imam Hussain(a.s.)?
12. If Shias were the killers of Imam Hussain how come none of 3,80,000 killers who were killed by Mukhtar never claimed Shiaism?

Mufti writes that Shimmr was the real brother of Umm-ul-Baneen, Mufti should know he was neither brother nor cousin.

Who wrote letters to Imam Husain(a.s) and invited him to Kufa?

Objections : The Shi’a of Imam Ali a.s invited Imam Hussain(as)"by writing letters and requesting that he come to Kufa so that they can recognise him as their Imam.

Our Reply:
There are few words in this sentence, highlighted.

1- Shia of Imam Ali a.s. This is the first word. The definition of this word is not something tough to find. Therefore, to say all people of Kufa were Shia of Imam Ali a.s is out of logic. In the history of Islam up till that time, there was not any city with majority of Shia of Imam Ali (a.s.), especially Kufa suffered harsh treatment for 20 long years by Muawiyah's illegitimate brother Zeyad and then his son Ubedullah Ibn Zeyad. Shia of Imam Ali a.s were persecuted, killed and were forced to live under oppression. Therefore yes, those weak shias of Imam Ali a.s did write to their Imam when Muawiyah died and ray of hope emerged. And yes they were the only few who believed in Imamat and called upon there Imam. They were not the opportunistic and there faith is clearly visible from the contents of their letters. Due to the activity of these shia of Imam Ali a.s, other inhabitants of Kufa, common muslims who believed in Imam Ali a.s not as Imam but the fourth Caliph along with first three found opportunity in throwing the tyrant umayyad oppression and joined in calling upon Imam Hussain( a.s) for help not as Imam but as the son of the fourth caliph, grandson of Holy Prophet (s.a.w )and leader of youths of paradise (Abdullah Ibn Zubair was not that influential at that time as compare to Imam Hussain a.s even to common muslim of those era. Plus he himself was in hidings in Makkah and even tried to stopped Imam Hussain a.s from rising against Yazid).

Now lets see the content of the letters and see;

Letter written by minority shias of Imam Ali (a.s)

“We do not have any leader [who could lead us in war] therefore please come to us so that through you, we can gather to aid the truth [Haq]. And Nauman bin Bashir is in Dar ul-Amara, we neither attend Friday prayers nor the Eid prayers with him. When we get the news that you are coming, we will make him expel him and send him to Syria”.

This letter was sent through Abdulah bin Hamdani and Abdullah bin Daal and this was the first letter to be written by the minority Shia to Imam Hussain [as] which he received in Makka on the 10th of Ramadhan.

Letter written by other than Imam Ali's  (a.s) shia

“Fields are flourishing again and trees are bearing fruits and ponds are flowing. Thus, you can come whenever you want towards an army, that is prepared for you”

This letter had seven signatories namely Shabath bin Rib’I, Hajar bin al-Jabar, Yazid bin Haritth, Yazid bin Raweem, Azrah bin Qays, Umro bin al-Hajaj al-Zubaydi, Muhamad bin Umari Tamimi. 

See Tarikh Tabari, Volume 6 page 197.

Just compare the content of these letters written initially with the above one. The earlier letters contained the beliefs of the senders, cited the injustice of Muawiya and his descendant, the admission of Hussain’s right of Imamate, whilst the above cited letter made reference to nothing save material acquisition. In every society, there exist a segment of opportunists who always fly with the direction of wind.

So those were these common muslims of kufa, who did not show up. Letters were written by both, but shia of Imam Ali a.s were either killed or imprisoned or few managed to joined Imam Hussain a.s in Karabala. The common muslim were again made quite or even forced to join and assist syrian Army. Therefore the name of Yazid's army commander was Omar Bin Saad Bin Abi Waqas (very respected Sunni sahaba's son) and not some Ibn Ashtar.

Also look at the letter written to yazid( l.a) at that time and by whom,
“Muslim bin Aqeel has come to Kufa and the Shia have given the oath of allegiance to him on behalf of al Hussain bin Ali. If you have any need of Kufah then send a strong man there who will carry out your orders and act in the same way as you would against your enemy. Al Nauman bin Bashir is a weak man or he is acting like a weak man”

History of al Tabari, Volume 19 page 30

Those who wrote this letter were:

    Abdullah bin Muslim bin Saeed Hadharmi
    Ammarah bin Uqbah
    Umar bin Saad bin Abi Waqas

In Short all the types of people wrote letters( Sunnis and Shias alike)  to Imam Hussain(a.s), to fulfill their various objectives and only true followers (Shias) of Imam Hussain supported him. So dont blame Shias of Ali but blame the people of Kufa in not supporting Imam Hussain(a.s). 

One more thing which I want to add here is, well people of Kufa did not support Imam(a.s) but then who were the murderers of Imam and his family and friends, and what were their beliefs and why do we not come together to curse such people.(Yazid,Shimr, Umar-e-Saad etc.)

Whoever support Yazid and praised him killed Imam Hussain(a.s.)

Whoever today loves Yazeed and Muawiyah and praises them then his group is the one who killed Imam Hussain
The conversation is nonesense if there is no agreement on the definition of Shia and Sunni and its also nonesense if we want to turn it into a sectarian thing to attack the sunnies of today or the shias of today as they have no direct role in that event.

The shias of Hussain were 72 people plus all the ones who got jailed and persecuted for standing with Imam Hussain and the rest were common muslims, but if we suppose that shias killed Hussain, where  were sunnis ? Why they didnt even invite him or protect him? Hussain was the grandson of Holy Prophet(s.a.w) and most pious and God-fearing person on earth.
 

Well , if you define Sunnis to be followers of Abubakr and Shia to be the followers of Ali, then you can say that Abu bakr gave the leadership to Umar and Umar to Uthman and Uthman made Muawiya the governor of shaam, Muawiya opposed the caliphate of Ali and later became leader by force and  gave it to Yazeed(l.a)  so Abubakr is to be blamed for killing of Imam Husain !!!

Who invited Imam Husain(a.s) to Kufa?

Who invited, well people of Kufa invited. People of Kufa includes majority sunnis, minority shia of Imam Ali a.s and plus those who saw the majority looking upon Imam Hussain a.s for help and for their worldly gains decided to follow the direction of flowing river.
Again, a sunni brother asked : why would sunni invite as they do not believe in Imamat?

Reason: because for sunnis Imam Hussain a.s was the only living grandson of Prophet s.a.w, the most pious and the leader of youth of paradise. They found him the best option to rule as compare to Yazid. Main stream sunnis were not only in Hijaz but in Kufa also the maority was of those main stream sunnis. Imam Hussain a.s did travel to Makkah first but he saw the place is not free from his killers and so as medina which was under yazid's governor. People of Kufa were willing to fight for justice as it was near Umayyad capital as compare to Hijaz and they were the one getting affected first. 

Abdullah Ibn Zubair also left medina and went into hiding in Makkah, Abdullah Ibn Umar accepted Yazid's rule and Abdur Rehman also went into hidings and it was only Imam Hussain a.s who rose his voice against tyranny. Therefore main stream sunni muslims chose Imam Hussain a.s along with Shias of Imam Ali a.s for help.

 Caliph Umar founded this city and made his people to live in it. Umar ruled for 10-12 years followed by Uthman (Bani Umayyan) for another long period. Ruler of Kufa was cousin of Uthman (foster brother may be) and then comes Imam Ali a.s who ruled for just 5 yrs and then again 6 months of Imam Hassan a.s followed by 20 years of Muawiyah.

Imam Ali a.s did not make Kufa his capital as Shias were in majority. Imam Ali a.s is not only shia leader. It is shias first Imam and sunnis 4th Righteous Guided Caliph so he made that city capital because it was close to western borders where people were making more fitna.

Conclusion: Its nothing about sunni or shia - people are gonna go round thinking their fellow muslims are responsible for the massacre - it was SO long ago and we can't compare the killers to anyone living today. I went to a sunni mosque where they were mourning and remembering ashura.
We are all here to learn from each others.

Initially, Sunnis did not kill imam hussain .. Yazid Army did , and all muslim were against it.
Who is Yazid compare to Imam Hussain . Imam Hussain is a Sayed and also Sayed shabab aljannah.
Imam Hussain was the first person in this world who looked like our prophet   

Who are Shias?

There were no such thing as Ahle Sunnah or Sunnis at the time of Imam Husain(a.s) . Also there was no such thing as Shia Isna Ashari or any other Shia sect at that time. It was Muslims all the way through. Everything kicked off later on after the Prophet's [pbuh] death. First the Muslims were divided into two groups. Those who selected and accepted Hazrath Abu Bakar [ra] as the first Khalif of the Muslims were known as just Muslims. They had nothing to do with Ahle Sunnah or being Sunni because Ahle Sunnah didn't start to develope until Imaam Abu Hanifa's time. From there on Sunnis start to form and other Ahle Sunnah groups started to emerge. Those people who opposed the meeting in Sakeefa and rejected the appointment of any Khalif by the Ummah because they believed that the Prophet [pbuh] named, nominated and appointed his successor, like every great leader does which was Hazrath Ali [ra], were later on named as Shiayaan-e-Ali [ra]. This is were the Shia, with the ideology of Khilaafath-e-ilahiya, started to develope. This was the birth point of the main stream Shia of today. Also the term Shia was used in general. Shia means follower/supporter. This term was used for everyone on common grounds for example: during the battle of Jamal and Safeen the common Muslims were also divided into two groups. Shia-e-Ali [ra] and Shia-e-Aisha [ra] during the Battle of Jamal then Shia-e-Ali [ra] and Shia-e-Muavia during the battle of Safeen.  The situation is the same when it comes to Hazrath Hassan [ra] and Ameer Muavia or Hazrath Hussain [ra] and Yazeed. The followers and supporters of each and everyone was known as a Shia. So when you talk about Shia regarding history it depends on who's Shia you are talking about. It was the Muslims who accepted Hazrath Abu Bakar [ra] as the first Khalif. It was the same Muslims who accepted Hazrath Umar [ra] as the second Khalif. It was the same Muslims who accepted Hazrath Usmaan [ra] as the third Khalif. It was the same Muslims who pesterd and persuaded Hazrath Ali [ra] to become the fourth Khalif when no one dared to take on Khilaafath after the murders of the previous two Khalifs. It was the same Muslims who betrayed Hazrath Ali [ra] during the battles of Jamal and Safeen. It was the same Muslims who pesterd and persuaded Hazrath Hassan [ra] to become the fifth Khalif of the Muslims and later on betrayed him by joining the camp of Ameer Muavia or refusing to fight him. It was the same Muslims who accepted Ameer Muavia as the sixth Khalif and Yazeed as the seventh. It was the same Muslims who informed Hazrath Hussain [ra] of Yazeed's intentions and ways regarding the Quran and Sunnah. It was the same Muslims who promised aid and support to Hazrath Hussain [ra] and invited him. It was the same Muslims who let Hazrath Hussain [ra] and his companions down for example Hazrath Muslim bin Aqeel [ra] etc by being afraid of standing up to Yazeed's governers, companions, army etc and by being afraid of Yazeeds response.

Imam Hussain (as) fought with Yazid ibn Muawiya to save Islam

Imam Hussain (as) fought with Yazid ibn Muawiya in 61 AH to save Islam. Yazid needed Imam Husain's Bayat (oath of allegiance) to legitimized his rule as Imam Hussain (as) was the rightful successor. Imam Hussain (as) refused to give his allegiance as he knew that Yazid was not only corrupt and oppresive but also an enemy of Islam, who wanted to destroy Islam and take revenge of his uncles and family members who had fought with Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and died in the early battles.

When Imam Hussain (as) was told that he had to give Bayat to Yazid otherwise he would be killed, Imam Hussain (as) replied that: a man like him could not give Bayat to a man like Yazid ibn Muawiya.

By saying this Imam Hussain (as) was trying to tell everyone that what Yazid believed in was totally opposite to what Imam Hussain (as) believed in. Yazid was the follower of Shaitan while Imam Hussain (as) was the follower of Allah (SWT).

Imam Hussain (as) knew that himself, his friends and family were to die in Karbala. He also knew that this was the only way that he could show to the other Muslims that Yazid was an enemy of Islam and was in fact destroying it.

Imam Hussain (as) wanted people, when they heard about the events of Karbala to know that it was not for power but for Islam and this is how to get into the army of Imam Hussain (as) you needed to be a believer and not a soldier. Imam Hussain's (as) army had all kinds of people:

Imam Hussain (as) had rich, noble men. He had freed slaves. He had old and young men. He had men who had done wrong and repented (e.g. Hazrat Hurr - the commander of Yazid ibn Muawiya army). He had pious men.
Imam Hussain (as) was very kind and always thought about others before himself.

When Imam Hussain (as) was traveling to Karbala knowing what was going to happen to him and his family, he met Hazrat Hurr - the commander of Yazid army and his soldiers. Imam Hussain (as) knew that this was the army sent by Yazid ibn Muawiya to fight Imam Hussain (as) and his followers.

This was the army that was going to stop Imam Hussain (as) and his followers from getting water. This was the army who was going to kill Imam Hussain (as) and his family and friends.

Although Imam Hussain (as) knew all this, when Imam Hussain (as) saw how thirst the army looked and that they had no water, Imam Hussain (as) immediately told his brother Hazrat Abbas (as) to give their water to the army of Hazrat Hurr.

 Not only did Imam Hussain (as) and his men give water to the army but also to their horses. 

Whenever other Muslims heard about the events of Karbala, they would ask themselves, why it was that men from different backgrounds, different circumstances, different ways of life, all came together to fight and die with Imam Hussain (as). 

Every Muslim regardless of his colour, his race, his background, his financial situation, his age, could identify himself with one martyr in the army of Imam Hussain (as) and through him understand why Imam Hussain (as) did what he did.
Imam Hussain's sacrifice started a Hussaini Revolution that not only took down Yazid's rule, but still continues after 1400 years today and is revived every year in Muharram with mass commemorations accross the world by Shia Muslims.

Imam Hussain (as) and Martyrdom in the way of Truth (Islam)

Imam Hussain (as) was a man of faith and action. During nights, he worshipped Allah (SWT) in privacy, while during the day he worked hard and guided the people. He was constantly mindful of the poor and the needy, and he used to visit them and cheer them up. He used to tell his followers: "Be always in touch with the needy, for Allah (SWT) does not love the arrogant".

 Imam Hussain (as) always helped the poor as much as he could. At night he would carry sacks of food to the houses of the poor by following the footsteps of his father Imam Ali (as) and leave them near the doors. He worked hard to eradicate poverty, establish justice and acquaint the people with Allah (SWT).

During the time of Imam Hussain (as) a tyrant called Yazid ibn Muawiya became the ruler. Yazid called himself the successor of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw), but this was a lie. He used to spend the income of the Islamic realm on drinking, gambling and wild parties. Public wealth was wasted for supporting his regime and the rights of the poor were trampled upon. In this way he totally scorned the instructions of Islam.

When Yazid ibn Muawiya became ruler of the Muslims he immediately demanded Imam Hussain (as) to recognize him as the ruler and accept his leadership (give Bayat); but Imam Hussain (as) was the true successor of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) and could not accept and endorse the leadership of an oppressor. Imam Hussain (as) began to enlighten and awaken the people about Yazid ibn Muawiya and exhorted them to dissociate from him. He would tell them: "Do you not see that the truth is being trampled upon and the falsehood and oppression are prevailing? In such conditions, a Muslim must be ready for martyrdom in defense of the right. Martyrdom and self-sacrifice for the sake of truth is victory and success, while life with the oppressors is no more than shame and disgrace."

At that time the people of Kufa (Iraq) were loving followers of Imam Hussain (as) who had been suffering at the hands of Yazid and his father, Muawiya. They invited Imam Hussain (as) to Kufa to lead them against Yazid and his wicked rule. Imam Hussain (as) had indeed decided to rise up and fight, and so he accepted the invitation and set off for Kufa.

When Imam Hussain (as) and his followers were near Kufa, they were met by Yazid's troops under the leadership of Hazrat Hurr. The troops wanted to arrest Imam Hussain (as) and his followers and take them to Yazid. Imam Hussain (as) told them: "Never will I accept disgrace and surrender to Yazid ibn Muawiya. Death for me is superior to disgrace and I am ready to defend Islam and the Muslims until I get martyred."

At a place called Karbala Imam Hussain (as), his family and helpers were surrounded by Yazid's troops. Imam Hussain (as) and his followers stood firm as they fought against thousands of troops of Yazid. Finally, on 10th Muharram, 61 AH (the day we call 'Ashura'), they were martyred.

Imam Hussain (as) and his followers were martyred, but they did not submit to injustice and oppression. They defended Islam and the Muslims. With their blood they saved Islam and the Holy Qur'an from the danger of annihilation at the hands of Yazid ibn Muawiya. Imam Hussain (as) fought against oppression and defended the religion of Islam, and by doing so he taught the world the greatest lesson on freedom and righteousness.

 For this reason we call Imam Hussain (as) "Sayyid al-Shuhada" which means lord of the martyrs. Now the turn has come for us to safeguard and defend Islam. We must shoulder this magnificent responsibility.

Imam Hussain (as) his kindness, charity and love for the poor

Imam Hussain (as) is the grandson of Holy Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). He was well known for his kindness, charity and love for the poor.

 One day when Imam Hussain (as) was riding through the streets of Madina, he came across some beggars who had gathered together to eat the food that they had begged for during the day. The beggars saw Imam Hussain (as) and invited him to join them.
Imam Hussain (as) was not allowed to take anything given in charity (Sadaqah) as he was from the family of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw). Sadaqah is forbidden (Haraam) for all members of the family (Ahlul Bayt) of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw). Imam Hussain (as) got off his horse and sat down with the beggars.

 Imam Hussain (as) then explained to them that although he would love to eat with them, he could not because as a member of the family of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) he could not take Sadaqah. As an alternative he invited all of the beggars to his house for food so that they could all eat together.