A group of Muslims seek to exonerate Yazid b. Muawiyah of all his crimes. As a matter of fact, these Muslims do not even acknowledge the crimes and for the most evident crime of killing the son of Allah’s Prophet ” Imam Husain b. Ali (a.s.), they are quick to gloss over it with the most weird claims including the ridiculous one of Shias themselves having killed Imam Husain (a.s.)!
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| Grand Mufti of Mecca defended Yazid(l.a) in one of his speech |
To such Muslims, it is fitting to point out that not every crime perpetrated by Yazid is easy to sweep under the carpet. Although no crime can parallel the killing of Imam Husain (a.s.), Yazid is responsible for many crimes that are evident even to the most biased historian and no one doubts even for a moment that Yazid is the perpetrator of these crimes. If the most biased historian was to ignore Imam Husain’s (a.s.) killing under one pretext or another, there is no way for him to ignore Yazid’s other crimes. The incident of Harrah is one such crime and all Muslims regardless of their sect are unanimous that the responsibility for Harrah lies at the doorstep of Yazid b. Muawiyah.
But first an interesting comparison to underscore Yazid’s antecedents.
Who is most despicable, Yazid or Firaun?
Yazid is often referred to as the Firaun of the Islamic nation. But this comparison is not entirely fair to Firaun. Yazid was far worse than Firaun and he dared to commit some of the most heinous crimes in the history of mankind that even Firaun hesitated from committing.
A very interesting incident that occurred in Yazid’s court highlights how he was far more wretched than Firaun. After the incident of Karbala, the women of Imam Husain’s (a.s.) household were brought in Yazid’s court devoid of their veils. Along with the women was Allah’s Proof ” the son of Imam Husain (a.s.) ” Imam Zainul Abedeen (a.s.). Yazid began gloating over his success in front of his courtiers and sought to belittle the exalted status of Imam Husain (a.s.) and his father ” Ameerul Momineen (a.s.). However, Zainul Abedeen (a.s.) despite being fettered in heavy chains and shackles was not intimidated and gave a fitting reply to Yazid’s taunts. This sparked off a dialogue between Yazid and Zainul Abedeen (a.s.) in which Imam (a.s.) as expected, held the upper hand and crushed Yazid’s arguments with utter disdain. This did not go down well with Yazid and he turned to his advisors to counter Zainul Abedeen (a.s.). His advisors advised him to condemn Zainul Abedeen (a.s.) to death.
When Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.), who was merely two years and some months old at the time, heard this suggestion made by Yazid’s advisors, he addressed Yazid, ‘They have recommended to you as opposed to the recommendation of the courtiers of Firaun. When he (Firaun) asked their opinion regarding Prophet Moosa (a.s.) and Prophet Haroon (a.s.), they said: Give respite to him and his brother, while these people recommend that you should kill us, whilst there is a reason for this.’
Yazid was confused with this argument and sought the reason for Firaun’s benevolence towards Prophet Moosa (a.s.) and Prophet Haroon (a.s.) in this matter.
Imam Baqir (a.s.) clarified, ‘The reason why Firaun did not kill Moosa (a.s.) was because he (Firaun) was of legitimate birth, while a Prophet and his children are only slain by the illegitimate ones.’ When Yazid heard Imam’s (a.s.) explanation he became silent and hung his head in shame. (Nafasul Mahmoom, Section 13, from Isbaat al-Wasiyyah of Masoodi)
It is apparent that Yazid was subdued by Imam Muhammad Baqir’s (a.s.) arguments and his silence only affirms his guilt. His sending the captives back to Medinah is further admission of this guilt. What is ironical however is that even though Yazid had accepted that he was wrong in slaying the son of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), he still finds widespread support from his ardent fans who 1,400 years after Karbala insist on affixing his name with the reverential suffix ‘May Allah be pleased with him’ something that is reserved for the Holy Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.) choicest companions like Hazrat Salman Muhammadi (r.a.), Hazrat Abu Zarr Ghaffari (r.a.), Hazrat Miqdaad (r.a.), etc.
Yazid’s reign lasted for three years and nine months. In a short period of just 45 months, Yazid perpetrated crimes that would make even the most oppressive tyrants shudder. In the very first year of his reign (61 AH), he dispatched a huge army to murder the son (according to the verse of Mubaahelah) of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) ” Imam Husain (a.s.). The army was given explicit orders to show no mercy to Imam Husain (a.s.), to cut all water supply to his tents, to surround him and his women, to kill the men mercilessly, to take the women captive and parade them on the streets without their veils.
Yazid stands exposed
After Imam Husain’s (a.s.) martyrdom, news of Yazid’s transgressions spread far and wide. The people of Medinah dispatched a delegation to Syria to get first-hand information of Yazid’s offenses. As was expected the delegation was disgusted with Yazid’s corrupt ways and returned to inform the Medinites of his innumerable vices ” alcoholism, chess addiction, seeking entertainment with singing girls, dogs and monkeys, indulging in intercourse with mehram women (mother, sister), abandoning prayers, and topping all this by murdering the grandson of their beloved Prophet (s.a.w.a.).
The Medinites were appalled to hear that the Caliph of the Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.) nation indulged in such unmentionable indecencies. They began cursing Yazid openly and finally drove out his governor ” Usman b. Muhammad b. Abi Sufyan, along with Marwan b. Hakam and other members of Bani Ummayyah from Medinah. They appointed Abdullah b. Hantala as the governor and gave him their allegiance.
Yazid retaliatesObviously a man of Yazid’s status and tyrannical temperament would not take such a rebellion lying down. He immediately dispatched a large army towards Medinah under the command of Musrif b. Aqbah Muri (also called as Mujrim). When Musrif approached Medinah, he camped at a place called Harrah-e-Raqim (Sangistaan), which is at a distance of one mile from the mosque of Suroore Ambiya. Seeing Yazid’s army camped outside their city, the Medinites came out to fight the army. Yazid’s army was equipped with lot of ammunition and overwhelmed the Medinites in every department. Consequently the Medinites were no match against this army and a large number of them were killed in the ensuing battle. The accursed Marwan b. Hakam was constantly inciting Yazid’s army to attack the Medinites. Finally the Medinites realized that they could not successfully counter the army and retreated to Medinah and sought shelter in the shrine of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.).
Medinah under attack
But first an interesting comparison to underscore Yazid’s antecedents.
Who is most despicable, Yazid or Firaun?
Yazid is often referred to as the Firaun of the Islamic nation. But this comparison is not entirely fair to Firaun. Yazid was far worse than Firaun and he dared to commit some of the most heinous crimes in the history of mankind that even Firaun hesitated from committing.
A very interesting incident that occurred in Yazid’s court highlights how he was far more wretched than Firaun. After the incident of Karbala, the women of Imam Husain’s (a.s.) household were brought in Yazid’s court devoid of their veils. Along with the women was Allah’s Proof ” the son of Imam Husain (a.s.) ” Imam Zainul Abedeen (a.s.). Yazid began gloating over his success in front of his courtiers and sought to belittle the exalted status of Imam Husain (a.s.) and his father ” Ameerul Momineen (a.s.). However, Zainul Abedeen (a.s.) despite being fettered in heavy chains and shackles was not intimidated and gave a fitting reply to Yazid’s taunts. This sparked off a dialogue between Yazid and Zainul Abedeen (a.s.) in which Imam (a.s.) as expected, held the upper hand and crushed Yazid’s arguments with utter disdain. This did not go down well with Yazid and he turned to his advisors to counter Zainul Abedeen (a.s.). His advisors advised him to condemn Zainul Abedeen (a.s.) to death.
When Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.), who was merely two years and some months old at the time, heard this suggestion made by Yazid’s advisors, he addressed Yazid, ‘They have recommended to you as opposed to the recommendation of the courtiers of Firaun. When he (Firaun) asked their opinion regarding Prophet Moosa (a.s.) and Prophet Haroon (a.s.), they said: Give respite to him and his brother, while these people recommend that you should kill us, whilst there is a reason for this.’
Yazid was confused with this argument and sought the reason for Firaun’s benevolence towards Prophet Moosa (a.s.) and Prophet Haroon (a.s.) in this matter.
Imam Baqir (a.s.) clarified, ‘The reason why Firaun did not kill Moosa (a.s.) was because he (Firaun) was of legitimate birth, while a Prophet and his children are only slain by the illegitimate ones.’ When Yazid heard Imam’s (a.s.) explanation he became silent and hung his head in shame. (Nafasul Mahmoom, Section 13, from Isbaat al-Wasiyyah of Masoodi)
It is apparent that Yazid was subdued by Imam Muhammad Baqir’s (a.s.) arguments and his silence only affirms his guilt. His sending the captives back to Medinah is further admission of this guilt. What is ironical however is that even though Yazid had accepted that he was wrong in slaying the son of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), he still finds widespread support from his ardent fans who 1,400 years after Karbala insist on affixing his name with the reverential suffix ‘May Allah be pleased with him’ something that is reserved for the Holy Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.) choicest companions like Hazrat Salman Muhammadi (r.a.), Hazrat Abu Zarr Ghaffari (r.a.), Hazrat Miqdaad (r.a.), etc.
Yazid’s reign lasted for three years and nine months. In a short period of just 45 months, Yazid perpetrated crimes that would make even the most oppressive tyrants shudder. In the very first year of his reign (61 AH), he dispatched a huge army to murder the son (according to the verse of Mubaahelah) of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) ” Imam Husain (a.s.). The army was given explicit orders to show no mercy to Imam Husain (a.s.), to cut all water supply to his tents, to surround him and his women, to kill the men mercilessly, to take the women captive and parade them on the streets without their veils.
Yazid stands exposed
After Imam Husain’s (a.s.) martyrdom, news of Yazid’s transgressions spread far and wide. The people of Medinah dispatched a delegation to Syria to get first-hand information of Yazid’s offenses. As was expected the delegation was disgusted with Yazid’s corrupt ways and returned to inform the Medinites of his innumerable vices ” alcoholism, chess addiction, seeking entertainment with singing girls, dogs and monkeys, indulging in intercourse with mehram women (mother, sister), abandoning prayers, and topping all this by murdering the grandson of their beloved Prophet (s.a.w.a.).
The Medinites were appalled to hear that the Caliph of the Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.) nation indulged in such unmentionable indecencies. They began cursing Yazid openly and finally drove out his governor ” Usman b. Muhammad b. Abi Sufyan, along with Marwan b. Hakam and other members of Bani Ummayyah from Medinah. They appointed Abdullah b. Hantala as the governor and gave him their allegiance.
Yazid retaliatesObviously a man of Yazid’s status and tyrannical temperament would not take such a rebellion lying down. He immediately dispatched a large army towards Medinah under the command of Musrif b. Aqbah Muri (also called as Mujrim). When Musrif approached Medinah, he camped at a place called Harrah-e-Raqim (Sangistaan), which is at a distance of one mile from the mosque of Suroore Ambiya. Seeing Yazid’s army camped outside their city, the Medinites came out to fight the army. Yazid’s army was equipped with lot of ammunition and overwhelmed the Medinites in every department. Consequently the Medinites were no match against this army and a large number of them were killed in the ensuing battle. The accursed Marwan b. Hakam was constantly inciting Yazid’s army to attack the Medinites. Finally the Medinites realized that they could not successfully counter the army and retreated to Medinah and sought shelter in the shrine of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.).
Medinah under attack
However, Musrif was not satisfied at overcoming the Medinites in battle. Being Yazid’s associate, he wanted to complete their humiliation and wished to be remembered in history for this. So he entered Medinah with all pomp and splendour at the head of his massive army. This incident became famous as the incident of Harrah and occurred in Zilhajj 63 A.H., three months before Yazid’s death.
On entering the city of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) ” Medinatun Nabi, Musrif perpetrated such adversities that indeed he and his master, Yazid, will be remembered in history for a very long time. On entering Medinah, Musrif and his army showed utter disdain for the Holy Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.) shrine, which was only to be expected from Yazid’s henchmen. They entered the revered shrine of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) along with their horses. They used the shrine as a horse-stable. As in a stable, their animals urinated and excreted in the holy shrine. The animals even littered the strip between the pulpit of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and his grave, which according to traditions is a garden from Paradise.
However, they were not content with defiling the shrine of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.). They were intent on unleashing their tyranny and oppression on the Medinites in a most inhuman manner. They set about doing this most systematically. Musrif and his army began butchering the Medinites mercilessly. In this regard, they did not make any discrimination between the Muhaajireen and the Ansar, the companions of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.), women and children. They killed whoever got in their way. We have outlined below a historical record of their butchery from various sources, Shiite as well as Ahle Sunnah.
Rape, murder and plunder
Madaini narrates from Zohri that Yazid’s army killed 700 famous Medinites from the Quraysh, Muhajireen and Ansar. In addition to these, they also massacred 10,000 other unknown Medinites, including women, children and men ” both free men and slaves.
Abul Faraj narrates ” 200 from the progeny of Abu Taalib (a.s.) were martyred. Two of these were the children of Abdullah b. Jafar ” Abu Baqr b. Abdullah b. Jafar and Aun-e-Asgar b. Abdullah b. Ja’far. Aun-e-Akbar was martyred in Karbala along with Imam Husain (a.s.).
Masoodi narrates ” Jafar b. Muhammad b. Ali b. Abi Talib (a.s.) was also slain in the incident of Harrah. Apart from the progeny of Abu Taalib (a.s.), several from Bani Hashim were massacred viz Fazl b. Abbas b. Rabiyyah b. Haaris b. Abdul Muttalib, Hamzah b. Abdullah b. Nawfal b. Haaris, Abbas b. Utbah b. Abi Saeed. In addition to these, 4,000 other known personalities were slain from Quraysh and Ansar. Many other unknown and ordinary Medinites were also killed.
Musrif also made the wealth, honour and women of the Medinites permissible for his men for three days. In this period, his men did as they pleased. They looted the houses of the Medinites and ravaged their daughters and women. They did not follow any law except that of Yazid and considered permissible everything under the sun and even raped women inside Masjidun Nabawi ” the most sacred mosque for Muslims after Masjidul Haraam.
Madaini narrates ” After the incident of Harra, there were 1,000 women who gave birth to children whose fathers were not known and these were referred to as the children of Harrah. According to another report there were 10,000 such women. As per a report in Akhbaar al-Daul, Yazid’s men raped 1,000 virgin girls.
Shaikh Sulaiman Balkhi Naqshbandi in Yanabiul Mawaddah writes ” The Medinites were subjected to a course of tyranny and oppression for several days. It was impossible for any Medinite to enter Masjidun Nabawi. To the extent dogs used to enter the Masjid and urinated on the venerated pulpit of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) on which he (s.a.w.a.) narrated many a sermon and revelation.
Ibne Hajar also reports about dogs defiling Masjidun Nabawi. Then he narrates how Musrif forcibly took oath from the Medinites on behalf of Yazid and in this manner tried to complete their humiliation and disgrace. Those who rejected his invitation were killed immediately.
On entering the city of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) ” Medinatun Nabi, Musrif perpetrated such adversities that indeed he and his master, Yazid, will be remembered in history for a very long time. On entering Medinah, Musrif and his army showed utter disdain for the Holy Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.) shrine, which was only to be expected from Yazid’s henchmen. They entered the revered shrine of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) along with their horses. They used the shrine as a horse-stable. As in a stable, their animals urinated and excreted in the holy shrine. The animals even littered the strip between the pulpit of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and his grave, which according to traditions is a garden from Paradise.
However, they were not content with defiling the shrine of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.). They were intent on unleashing their tyranny and oppression on the Medinites in a most inhuman manner. They set about doing this most systematically. Musrif and his army began butchering the Medinites mercilessly. In this regard, they did not make any discrimination between the Muhaajireen and the Ansar, the companions of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.), women and children. They killed whoever got in their way. We have outlined below a historical record of their butchery from various sources, Shiite as well as Ahle Sunnah.
Rape, murder and plunder
Madaini narrates from Zohri that Yazid’s army killed 700 famous Medinites from the Quraysh, Muhajireen and Ansar. In addition to these, they also massacred 10,000 other unknown Medinites, including women, children and men ” both free men and slaves.
Abul Faraj narrates ” 200 from the progeny of Abu Taalib (a.s.) were martyred. Two of these were the children of Abdullah b. Jafar ” Abu Baqr b. Abdullah b. Jafar and Aun-e-Asgar b. Abdullah b. Ja’far. Aun-e-Akbar was martyred in Karbala along with Imam Husain (a.s.).
Masoodi narrates ” Jafar b. Muhammad b. Ali b. Abi Talib (a.s.) was also slain in the incident of Harrah. Apart from the progeny of Abu Taalib (a.s.), several from Bani Hashim were massacred viz Fazl b. Abbas b. Rabiyyah b. Haaris b. Abdul Muttalib, Hamzah b. Abdullah b. Nawfal b. Haaris, Abbas b. Utbah b. Abi Saeed. In addition to these, 4,000 other known personalities were slain from Quraysh and Ansar. Many other unknown and ordinary Medinites were also killed.
Musrif also made the wealth, honour and women of the Medinites permissible for his men for three days. In this period, his men did as they pleased. They looted the houses of the Medinites and ravaged their daughters and women. They did not follow any law except that of Yazid and considered permissible everything under the sun and even raped women inside Masjidun Nabawi ” the most sacred mosque for Muslims after Masjidul Haraam.
Madaini narrates ” After the incident of Harra, there were 1,000 women who gave birth to children whose fathers were not known and these were referred to as the children of Harrah. According to another report there were 10,000 such women. As per a report in Akhbaar al-Daul, Yazid’s men raped 1,000 virgin girls.
Shaikh Sulaiman Balkhi Naqshbandi in Yanabiul Mawaddah writes ” The Medinites were subjected to a course of tyranny and oppression for several days. It was impossible for any Medinite to enter Masjidun Nabawi. To the extent dogs used to enter the Masjid and urinated on the venerated pulpit of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) on which he (s.a.w.a.) narrated many a sermon and revelation.
Ibne Hajar also reports about dogs defiling Masjidun Nabawi. Then he narrates how Musrif forcibly took oath from the Medinites on behalf of Yazid and in this manner tried to complete their humiliation and disgrace. Those who rejected his invitation were killed immediately.
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