The Release Of The Ahl Al-Bayt
No one is certain about the period of their imprisonment in Damascus. Majority of People were not literate in those days and there were only a select few who recorded the incidents on paper. With the efforts of such people, we have been able to know the historical events, although it is very difficult to believe that it all happened exactly as they wrote because the records differ from writer to writer.
When Yazid foresaw horrible consequences of his sins, he was convinced that keeping the Ahl al-Bayt in prison any longer will be vulnerable to his power, he called Syed Al-Sajjad (‘a) in his court, had him seated by the side of himself, looked at him very affectionately and said:
“May Allah curse Ibn Ziyad who treated your father in this way. Had Imam Husayn (‘a) and me met face to face I would have replied positively to all his desires”. After this, he said:
'I am releasing you all, you are free to live in Damascus, go to Madina or wherever you please. “
The Imam preferred to act upon the advice of Bibi Zaynab (‘a). It was then decided that the caravan of Ahl al-Bayt would go to Madina from Damcsus. Yazid agreed to this and ordered for the preparations of the journey.
The Majlis In Damascus
The Imam spoke to Yazid “Due to restriction by your security people our women have not been able to mourn their martyrs. We would like to assemble and hold a condolence gathering (Majlise Aza) if you grant permission”.
Yazid gave permission and a house for this purpose in “Daral-Hajarah” was vacated. The Ahl al-Bayt went to that house and the women of the Qurayshi and Hashmi family living in Damascus joined the mourning.
Yazid was not quite willing for this condolence and mourning commemoration held by the Ahl al-Bayt but instead he wanted them to leave for Madina without any delay yet for three days the mourning in Damascus continued against yazid's desire to send the Ahl al-Bayt back to Madina immediately. It is said that Yazid himself participated in the mourning in his misgiving that the load of his sins may reduce.
Before leaving, the Imam demanded that the assets looted from them should be returned. Yazid said he would give manifold more. The Imam hearing this said:
“I do not want anything in excess. I want you to return only what was looted because in that was Veil, Necklace, dress, weaving mill and other relics of my grandmother Fatimah Zahra (‘a) “.
Yazid ordered that the looted items be returned and from his side he added some Dinars but the Imam did not accept any Dinar and returned to Yazid.
Departure Of Ahl Al-Bayt From Syria
Yazid asked Nu’man Ibn Bashir Ansari1 to make the arrangement for the journey and to send a sincere person as an escort. Before leaving, Imam was again called by Yazid who said:
“May Allah curse the son of Marjana, if I and your respected father had met, I would have accepted all his conditons and with all possible efforts even at the cost of my son's life had saved him from being slain but I feel that his martyrdom was destined2“. Yazid also said to the Imam to write to him if they needed any thing after they resettle in Madina3.
This was just a sort of exhibitionism as he soon attacked Madina and Makkah, details may be seen in “Arze Jalal-wa-Jamal” By Syed Ali Akbar Rizvi, (Events of Hirra and showering fire on Khana al-Ka’bah are given in the books of history which can never be forgotten).
Nu’man Ibn Basheer was called again and was told “Guard the honour, respect and dignity of Ahl al-Bayt. Travel in the night, lead the caravan and if they need anything on the way they should be provided.”
The Ahl al-Bayt were treated well on their return journey and Yazid's men flung a ring of security around them. They used to stand at a distance away when the caravan halted for wazu or other reasons. 4
Chehlum (Arbayn) At Karbala
While returning through Iraq the Imam asked Nu’man to take them to Karbala. When they reached there, they met Jabir Ibn Abdullah Ansari5 who had come there for Ziarat of Imam Husayn (‘a) with some people of Bani Hashim and some people of Prophet's family. The women held condolence and mourning of grandson of the Prophet (S). This was second time that the caravan of Ahl al-Bayt had reached Karbala on 20th Safar 62 Hijra.
If different version of Ahl al-Bayt's arrival at Karbala are put together that would read like:
(1) The prisoners of the family of the Prophet after the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (‘a) left Karbala for Kufa on 11th of Muhurram 61 Hijra then from Kufa to Damascus. While going from Kufa to Damascus this caravan passed through Karbala for the first time on 20th Safar 61 Hijra and held Chehlum (Arbayn) mourning there.
(2) On 14th Rabi-al-Awwal 61 Hijra the caravan reached Damascus.
(3) According to Jabir Ibn Abdullah Ansari when he reached Karbala on the 20th of Safar 62 Hijra for Ziarat of Imam Husayn (‘a). Imam Zayn al-Abidin (‘a) also with the caravan Al-Haram after being released from imprisonment reached Karbala on the same date. Caravane Ahl al-Bayt, if I could still call it Caravan Al-Husayni! But how can I?
Now, the great Imam (‘a) is not there nor his full family, remaining are Syed-us-Sajjad only in males, prophet's granddaughter Bibi Zaynab (‘a), some aggrieved ladies and Innocent male and female children. This was, however, the second time the caravan of prisoners reached Karbala on 20th of Safar 62 Hijra, spent a few days in mourning and then left for Madina.
- 1. When Muslim Bin Aqeel reached Kufa, Nu’man Ibn Bashir at that time was Yazid's Governor there. Yazid deposed him & appointed Obaidullah Ibn Ziyad in his place. Nu’man Ibn Bashir then returned to Syria (Al Astiyab Vol-IV, page 1496).
- 2. At this stage I recall the event of "Mubahila" 10 Hijrah. When the Prophet (S) set out for "Mobahila" with Christian of Yemen, Hasan and Husayn (‘a) were ahead, behind them was Hazrat Fatima-tuz-Zehra (‘a) and following her was Ali Murtadha (‘a). This was just to indicate to them that there was a challenge to Islam and they should sacrifies everything but save Islam. And these reverend personalities sacrificed themselves and saved Islam and got eternal Life.
- 3. Tareekhe Tabree Vol V, Page 233
- 4. Saheefa al-Karbala Page 472, Hujatul islam Ali Nazari Munfarid.
- 5. Hazrat Jabir Bin Abdullah Bin Umro Bin Haram Anasari was with the Prophet (S) in 18 Ghazwat, then was with Hazrat Ali (‘a) in Siffeen. He has quoted many Hadith. He became blind in his last days and died at the age of 94(Al Istiyab Page-319)