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The Journey Of Caravan Al-Husayni From Kufa To Damascus

Routes And Halts

Karbala

From Kufa the caravan reached Karbala as the first halt on 20th Safar 61 Hijra and on that day the family or Imam Husayn (‘a) held first Majlis and that was the first Chelum of the oppressed Imam. Prophet's Sahabi Hazrat Jabir Ibn Abdullah Ansari was already there on this occasion. He was the first Zayer (Pilgrim) of Syedus Shuhada With him was his companion Janabe Ata. They gave condolence to Abid-e-bimar (the ailing Imam Zainul Abedeen (‘a)) and kept weeping and mourning for a long time.

Tikrit

According to Mulla Husayn Kashfi, Tikrit1 is some ninety miles from Karbala. When the caravan reached there Shimr asked the Governor to decorate the city and give the army a grand welcome. The Governor not only obeyed but also came out of the city to welcome them.

The elders of the city were perturbed at the sight or those severed heads and were told that the heads were told rebellious group which was defeated by ‘Ubaidullah Ibn Ziyad. At that moment, a man coming from Kula arrived there. He narrated the truth about what happened in Karbala:

“Oh people! I have just come from Kufa and I have seen these heads there. These do not belong to rebels but to Imam Husayn (‘a) Ibn Ali (‘a) and his devotees”. Hearing this the people of Tikrit became against the Khalifa's army and cursed them.

There was a large population of Christians who joined the Muslims saying that they cannot support such heartless people. Seeing this the army decided not to enter the city but camped at “Dare-Urwa” which is situated some distance from Tikrit.

Wadi al-Nakhla

Mulla Husayn Waiz Kashifi writes that From “Dare-Urwa”. The caravan reached Mosul via Kahee12 According to Maqtal Abu Makhnaf and Nasikhut Tawareekh this Caravan reached Wadi al-Nakhla passing through Dare Urwa. They halted for a night and departed the next day.

Lia’

The city of Lia was very beautiful. When Shimr reached there the citizens seeing the heads of the martyr’s curse Yazid's army. They addressed them: “Oh Killers of the family of the Prophet (S)! leave our city. We will not let you come here”. The army retaliated and killed many of them, looted and destroyed the city and left for Mosul via Kaheel.

Mosul

Mosul is a historical city and is situated in the northern part of Iraq. According to Mulla Husayn Kashifi it is around three hundred twenty-five miles from Kufa3. Shimr Ziljoshan sent an advance notice to the Governor telling him that the victorious army was coming more with the heads of the rebels so the market place and all Government buildings should be decorated.

The Governor called the citizens and asked them whether they would resist if he acted according to Shimr's orders. They said they would not welcome them so he wrote back to Shimr saying that in the city there was a sizeable presence of those who loved and respected the Ahl al-Bayt and they might become hostile so the army should camp at a distance from the city, provisions of course would be supplied to them.

According to some source the people of “Aus” and “Khazraj” tribes, numbering above Forty Thousand wanted to attack Yazid's army to recover the head of Imam Husayn (‘a) to bury. The army did not enter Mosul.

A notable event related with Mosul is that when Shimr took down the head from the spear a drop of blood fell on the boulder and till late fresh blood was seen there on every Ashura. For its Ziarat thousands of pilgrims from the vicinity visited and enriched their faith in God by seeing this miracle or the oppressed Imam.

People named the place as “Shaheed Nuqta” After several years Marwan Ibn Hakam destroyed that boulder and since then there is no trace of it.

Sanjar

They reached Sanjar from Mosul via Balad and Tif al-Afar. Allama Hashim Saadi writes in Geographia Al Iraq that supporters of Yazid lived there. Adjacent to this town was Qaza al-Mashikhan valley which was sacred place of Yazid's supporters, they halted there, quaffed wine and made merry.

Nasibayn

In Nasibayn they camped and the heads orther martyrs and the prisoners were exhibited to the public for publicity as rebels.

Hearing this Bibi Zaynab (‘a) started weeping and said, “you insult and exhibit us to ridicule us with the help of your might though our grandfather was the one on whom Allah had sent His revelations, you are now denying Allah and His Prophet (S) as if no apostle had come to you. May the Lord of the skies curse you. You are the worst Ummah and you will wail in the fires of Hell”.

Dawat

The Governor of the city of Dawat had obeyed Shimr's orders, welcomed the army and brought them to the town's square called “Rahba”. On one long spear was the head of Imam Husayn (‘a) and as ordered, a man stood below it crying out:

“This is the head of the person who rebelled against Yazid Ibn Mu’awiyah”.

This depraved man kept doing so since morning till evening. The heads of other martyrs of Karbala were also kept there. Some who saw the heads rejoiced while others were sad but the army spent the day in revelry and left the place next day.

Raqqa

After Dawat the Caravan reached Raqqa4 at a distance of 65 miles from Dawat. There were two brothers governing the city name of one brother was Sulaiman Ibn Yousuf. As they came out of the city gates to welcome Shimr's contingent they had a quarrel which led to a serious fight and Suleiman killed his brother. Hearing this news, the Yazidi forces marched quickly and left the area.

Josaq

It was settlement of the Jews some thirty miles from Raqqa. The ruler here was Aziz. After Raqqa Shimr with Caravan stayed in this place.

Bashar

From Josaq Yazid's army reached Bashar with the Caravan. This place was twenly two miles from Josaq.

After Josaq Yazid's army came to this thinly populated place, stayed for some time and left.

Halab

It is siuated on the northern borders of Syria. Halab was large town and this town still exists. Yazid's army with Caravan after Bashar reached here and was welcomed by Syrians. Passing through kohe Joushan and Sarmeen they reached Qansareen.

Qansareen

From Halab the caravan reached Qansareen5. This was a very populated and prosperous area. When people heard the army approaching, they shut their doors and from the rooftops cursed the killers of Imam Husayn (‘a), pelted stone on them and said: “O killers of the Prophet's family! If you put all our necks under the sword, we will still not allow even one of you to enter our city”. The army halted outside.

Marat Al-Nu’man

Leaving Qansareen the army and the caravan reached Marat Al-Nu’man where they were warmly welcomed by the citizens who made the provision of their festivity.

Shairez

When they reached Shairez one elderly resident called the people and said, “This army is bringing the head of the grandson of the Prophet (S), son of Hazrat Ali (‘a) and Bibi Fatimah (‘a). Do not let these wretched people enter the city. If they enter, we will be excluded from the Ummah of the Prophet (S)”.

They then decided not to let Shimr and his army enter the city and when Shimr came to know about it he decided to by-pass it.

Qila Kafre Taab

After fleeing from Shiarez they reached, the fortress of Kafre Taab situated at a small distance from there. When the people came to know the truth, they closed the gates of the fortress. Khuli asked them:

“Are you not in our kingdom? Give us water to drink”.

They replied: “By Allah you will not get a drop of water because you never gave water to Imam Husayn (‘a) and his companions”.

Saibur

The caravan reached Saibur where Imam Ali Ibn Husayn (‘a) said a few verses which mean: “The disbelievers have become leaders and the wretched have become the heroes of the Ummah. Nothing is stranger than the vagaries of time. The progeny of the Prophet (phuh) is on the bare backs of camel and the descendants of Marwan are on well harnessed camels”.

In this city there was an old man who had seen Imam Husayn (‘a). He gathered the youth and the elders and said:

“These people have killed Husayn Ibn Ali (‘a) and this is his head”. So the people told the Yazid forces: “By Allah we will not let you enter the city” but the old man said: “Allah does not like bloodshed. This head passing through many cities has reached here so we should let them pass”.

The young men refused and gathered near a bridge. Khuli told them to give way but they attacked. The clash was fierce with heavy casualties on both sides. Bibi Umm - Kulthoom asked the name of the place and then prayed for it.

“May Allah make their water sweet, resolve their problems and protect them from tyranny.”

Hamat

People of Hamat also did not allow Yazid's troops to enter the city and its gates were closed. Yazid's army camped outside the city and moved ahead.

Hamas

They reached Hamas, which was a big city. The Governor Khalid Ibn Sheath welcomed the army outside the gate but the people rained stones at them when they entered the city. They were shouting:

“Oh People! do not become Kafirs after believing and do not go astray after receiving guidance”. Seeing this, Yazid's troops took shelter in Khalid's palace. People of the place vowed that they would kill Khuli and take Imam Husayn's head from him so that they could feel privileged on the Day of Judgement. When Yazid's people knew it they fled away.

Deir al-Rahib

Deir al-Rahib has an ancient monastery of the Christians and one very renowned priest headed that monastery. According to “Rauzalul Ahbab-Fil-Maqtal-Al-Husayn”, the army camped near a stream and encased the head of Imam Husayn in a box. They became busy in imbibing wine when they saw a finger before them writing on the wall.

“Does the Ummah that has killed Husayn (‘a) think that they can hope for the Prophet's (S) recommendation on the day of Qiyamat?”

The army became frightened, some tried to catch the hand but it vanished and then reappeared to write next verse:

“By God! they will have no intercessors and they will be given eternal punishment on the day of Qayamat.”

In the mid night the monk looked out of the window and was surprised to see a box lying close to the monastery's walls. It was glittering and he saw the angels coming down saying:

“Salam on you O son of the Prophet (S)! Salam on you O the servant of Allah!”

Hearing this the Rahib was moved and wept copiously. He was disturbed for the whole night. In the morning Rahib went to Yazid's troops and asked the leader Khuli:

Rahib: What is in this box?

Khuli: It has the head of a rebel of Iraq, ‘Ubaidullah Ibn Ziyad killed him.

Rahib: What was his name?

Khuli: Husayn Ibn Ali Ibn Abi Talib.

Rahib: What was his mother's name?

Khuli: Fatimah Bint Muhammad (S).

Rahib: which Muhammad your Prophet (S)?

Khuli: Yes, the same.

Rahib: May God curse you and ruin you. Our elders were true when they said that when a person will be killed the sky will rain blood. This happens only when a Prophet or his successor is killed. He tried to take the head out of the box but Khuli prevented him so he as demanded by Khuli gave him many thousand Dirhams to have it for some time.

He kissed the head and said, “Oh Aba Abdullah I am sorry that I could not help you. I give witness that you are Allah's wali and your religion is Truth. I begin to believe In Islam, please give witness to the Prophet (S) that I believe in Islam. He recited the Kalama”.

He gave the head back to Khuli and left the monastery never to be seen again.

Baalbek

The Governor of this city warmly welcomed Yazid's forces. The people were happy and the family of the Prophet (S) was proclaimed to public. Baalbek is now a city in Lebanon where Hizbollah have their control.

Hiran

This city is 3 miles from Baalbek just one halt short of Damascus. In this very city Yazid was reveling, praying and recreating himself at the time when his father Mu’awiyah Ibn Abu Sufiyan died and Yazid came three days after his father's death. According to “Rauzatul Abbab”, when the army camped a man named Yahya and another man inquired about the heads of the martyrs.

When Yahya came to know that one of the heads was of grandson of the prophet (S) and other of his companions, he started invoking God's blessings on the holy Prophet Muhammad (S) and his Ahl al-Bayt and cursed Yazid and his army. Yazid's army cut his head off. He is buried outside the gate of the city. The place is famous as the “Mazar of Yahya Shaheed”.

Damascus, The Final Halt

Damascus was the capital of Syria like it is today this is where the Ameer of Sham Muaviya iIbn Abu Sufiyan ruled for thirty-nine years. He was buried here but there is no trace of his grave and no one knows his name. This is miracle of Nature. Detail may be seen in my Book “Hadith Al-Ishq”.

The Arrival in Damascus

The aggrieved Caravan entered the city on 1st of Safar 61Hijra. Yazid ordered for the caravan to be waiting at the gate of the city in Baab-us-Saat but for some reason it entered the city through Baab al-Suba. They were allowed to enter it after the city was fully decorated.

It was like a festival with people attired in gaudy dresses and the shops well decorated. They heard the tumult and saw Shimr Ziljoshan marching ahead with the head of Imam Husayn (‘a) on his spear and the other 71/72 heads elevated on spears following him. These are the heads of Martyrs of Karbala, some are of Kins of Prophet Muhammad (S) and some are of the companions. Leading all the heads is the head of the grandson of Muhammad (S) which did not surrender6 at any cost, though severed from the body.

It stands elevated on spear and commands a very high status in the world even today. This is the same Imam Husayn (‘a) about whom the Prophet (S) had said:

“Husayn (‘a) is from me and I am from Husayn (‘a); “Hasan (‘a) and Husayn (‘a) are the leaders of the young men in Paradise”.

Allama Iqbal had said:

Shabbir is negatio of materialism, holiness of life and height of piety Muslim should acquire this legacy and this to them is my entreaty.

Shimr was saying proudly:

I am the owner of the long spear. I am the killer of the successors of the true religion. I have killed the son of Ali (‘a) and have brought his head for Ameerul Muslimeen Yazid Ibn Mu’awiyah Ibn Abu Sufyan. A tyrant like Shimr himself accepted that Husayn (‘a) was the successor of true religion7.

This is a fact whether one accepts the Truth or not it is unfailingly accepted at last:

Their sacrifices were greatest and God blessed them Status grandeur,

People can crave more but can match them now nor ever before.

The heads behind Shimr were in the order Qasham Jafai had the head of Abul Fazlil Abbas on his spear, Sanan Ibn Anas had the head of Aun Ibn Abdullah Ibn Ja’far Tayyar and then followed the heads of the other martyrs of Karbala on the spear of their murderers.

Witness of The severed Head of Imam Husayn (‘a)

The oratory by Imam Husayn’s (‘a) head on spear was a great miracle in itself and is an uncontradicted proof that the martyrs do not die. Minhal Ibn ‘Umar says, “that as the head of Husayn (‘a) on spear passed the streets I was in Damascus and saw myself that a man near the head recited Surah Kahaf (18) and when he reached Ayat (9)”.

أَمْ حَسِبْتَ أَنَّ أَصْحَابَ الْكَهْفِ وَالرَّقِيمِ كَانُوا مِنْ آيَاتِنَا عَجَبً

“Could you not know that Ashabe Kahaf and Raqeem were a miracle among the signs of God”. (18:9).

Allah gave Imam Husayn's (‘a) head the power to speak in clear words and they all heard the head reciting:

“My killing and the exhibition of my head is stranger than the event or “Ashab Al-Kahaf” 8

Undoubtedly slaying of Imam Husayn (‘a) and carrying his head on spear for exhibiting it was mere strange than the event of “Ashab al-Kahaf”, because for the fear of those the “Ashab” escaped leaving their houses and belongings and hid themselves in “Cave”, were Kafirs but those who disgraced and oppressed Hazrat Imam Husayn (‘a), his Ahl al-Bayt and other companions were pretenders of “Faith and Islam”.

Ashab Al-Kahaf were “Walee Ullah”, they woke up and spoke after sleeping for centuries and yet they were alive. Imam Husayn's (‘a) head was severed from the body and was held on the spear point and its speaking only after a few days was undoubtedly more miraculous than the event of Ashabe Kahaf.

Following the severed heads came the line of sick camels on bare back of them rode the family of the Prophet (S) and other ladies who are all weak and fatigued but contented and peaceful. Why should they not be so, among them some are the mothers, some sisters and some wives of martyrs.

They are those dignified ladies who sacrificed their everything in the way of God, Conditions are odd and very painful but every face is full of contentment because they are the bearer of contented Self and contented Soul.

The caravan passing through Damascus market stopped at the gate of Jama Masjid. Shimr made them stand in a place reserved for Turk and Velum Prisoners. One person came up to a girl amongst the prisoners and asked:

“What sort of prisoners are you people?”

One of the Ahl al-Bayt answered: “We are the progeny of the Prophet (S)”.

“Thanks to Allah that he has killed your people and eradicated mischief by destroying you”.

Imam Ali Ibn Husayn (‘a) hearing the words of the old man asked:

“Oh Shaikh!: Have you read the Holy Qur’an”?

Shaikh: “Qur’an!! Yes I have read Holy Qur’an”.

Imam said: “Have you read the ayat?”

قُلْ لَا أَسْأَلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا إِلَّا الْمَوَدَّةَ فِي الْقُرْبَىٰ

“Tell them O Prophet (S) that I desire no recompense from you but that you love my progeny” (42:23).

The man said: “No doubt this is about the progeny of Muhammad (S)”.

The Imam said: “Believe me that we are that Zilqurba (progeny) and the above ayats are about us”.

The Imam again said: “Oh Shaikh! you must have read this ayat too”.

فَآتِ ذَا الْقُرْبَىٰ حَقَّهُ

O Muhammad! give the Zilqurba their rights.” (30:38).

He said, “Yes I have read this Ayat also”

Imam continued: “Have you read this ayat in which the Muslims have been addressed”.

وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّمَا غَنِمْتُمْ مِنْ شَيْءٍ فَأَنَّ لِلَّهِ خُمُسَهُ وَلِلرَّسُولِ وَلِذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ

“And know (O belivers) that whatever you acquire as a booty, fifth of it is for God, for the Prophet (S) and for his kins (Ziqurba).” (8:41).

He said again: “Indeed I have read it”.

The Imam said: “We are that Zilqurba whom the Prophet (S) had declared the rightful sharers of Khums”.

“And have you read Ayate Tathir”? The Imam asked:

He said: “Yes I have read it”.

إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ لِيُذْهِبَ عَنْكُمُ الرِّجْسَ أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَيُطَهِّرَكُمْ تَطْهِيرًا

“Allah wants to keep all sins away from you O Ahl al-Bayt and Allah may keep you pure as you merit to be pure”. (33:33).

“We are those Ahl al-Bayt about whom God revealed this Ayat”.

The Shaikh exclaimed! “By Allah tell me if it is so. Are you really from the family of the Prophet (S)?”

“By our Grandfather the Prophet (S) we are Indeed the same”.

Hearing the words of the Imam the old man felt ashamed, started apologising, threw turban (amama) off his head and started weeping. He raised both his hands towards sky and said three lines:

Oh God! I awfully repent: Oh God! I declare my abhorrence for the enemies and killers of household of the Prophet Muhammad (S). I beg Your forgiveness and beg Your acceptance of my penitence.

This news was to reach Yazid and it reached him and he had killed the old man.

Some accounts of history (Tareekhe Qafti) say that Yazid was watching the entry of the caravan of the prisoners from his palace top. He was deadly drunk at that time and was humming the verse:

“When these camels and the sun came out of the hills of Jairon the crow started cawing and I said whether you can or not I have settled my debt from the Prophet (S) to my debtor”.

The distressed Caravan of the Ahl al-Bayt was taken around the city and its markets then made to wall at the Palace of Khizra. On construction of this Palace Mu’awiya Ibn Abu Sufian had spent millons of Dirham and sahabi of Prophet Hazrat Abuzar Ghaffri had raised serious objections and had said:

“If it was built out of your own money, it is “lsraf” (lavishness) and Qur’an declares Israf to be Haraam (forbidden) If you have built it from the Islamic exchequer, you have committed embezziment because it belongs to the Muslims”.

This is why he was banished to the barren wilderness of 'Rabza' where he passed his days in extreme poverty and died as a destitute. May God bless his soul! What an undaunted individual he was? This detail may be seen in “Tareekh al-Islam ka Safar” written by Syed Ali Akbar Rizvi.

This was that historical palace which was very lavishly decorated and where Yazid held a general audience of the wealthy people of Damascus to facilitate them to witness the grandeur or the palace in awe.

  • 1. This is the ancestral city of Saddam, who after defending against the attack of U. S and British Army for about three weeks was defeated on 18th April 2003. He himself absconded but caused ruination of Iraq after which U. S. captured the country but Guerilla war is going on. Tikrit is a city between Baghdad and Mousal. It is 30 farsakh from Baghdad.
  • 2. Kaheel was a big city on the bank of Dajla but there are no remains of the city now. (Muajjam Al-Baldan,Vol. IV,page 439).
  • 3. Mousal important and ancient city situated on the bank of Dajla. In the heart of the city is the grave of messenger Hazrat Jirjees.
  • 4. Raqqa is a city on the bank of Euphrates.
  • 5. Qansareen is a city of Damascus, where the grave of Prophet Hazrat Saleh is present.
  • 6. The Syrians did their best to see Husayn's head showing down.
    Now they proudly elevate the head and themselves bowing down,
  • 7. How to believe that we are the heirs or that Muslim nation?
    Which put Ahle Bayt to agony enjoyed the incarceration
    (Shorish Kashmiri)
  • 8. Sirr-us-Shahdatien-:35, Nur-al-Absar page 149, Sharh-us-Sadoor: page 88) Extract from "Falsafa al-Shahadat Al-Imam Husayn' by Prof Dr. Tahir-Al-Qadiri, (page 60,61)