Martyrdom of Hazrat Muslim-Safeer-E-Husssain

(This article is a tribute to First Martyr of Karbala and Emissary of Imam Hussain who is a role model for Ambassadors of all generations)   

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Hazrat Muslim is not only the first martyr of ‘Karbala Revolution’. Rather, the way he handled the situation at Kufa before attaining martyrdom puts him as a role model for existing and future emissaries and ambassadors. The basic and most important duty of an ambassador is to represent the interests of his appointee in the best possible manner. These interests shift over time and new developments make his job far more complex than it might appears. A steadfast ambassador stays loyal even in adverse circumstances and does not switch loyalties. It is expected of an able ambassador to deal with different situations, personalities and political undercurrents successfully. He is supposed to manage often less ideal situations and deal with those who do not wish to come to terms. A strong ambassador also needs to be an effective communicator. He needs to speak and enunciate clearly what needs to be conveyed. A good ambassador cares not just about those he represents, but also protects the interests of the people of the area where he has been sent as an emissary.  Hazrat Muslim emerges as an exemplary ambassador when one looks at his heroic deeds after confronted with unexpected developments at Kufa.

It is a well- known fact that the people of Kufa had invited Imam Husain to overthrow the Umayyad rule. The had written : "We are sparing allegiance for you only, we are not attending prayers with the authority’s loyalist, and we ask that you come to us, we are almost one hundred thousand men. Injustice has spread, subjecting us to rules neither provided in the book (Holy Qur’an) nor imposed by its Prophet’s rules. We hope that Allah will allow us to meet with you on the truth, and thus relieve us from oppression. You are the rightful party for the reign, instead of Yazid who had forcefully taken the tax money that belonged to the nation; drinks alcohol, plays with monkeys and lute, and manipulate religion". Imam was on his way to Mecca for the Hajj and preferred to confirm the loyalty of Kufians. He sent his cousin Hazrat Muslim as his emissary to ascertain the situation at Kufa before taking any decision. He arrived in Kufa on the fifth of Shawwal. The admirers of Panjatan flocked to Hazrat Muslim to complain about their sufferings under the Umayyad rule. Whenever such persons approached him, Hazrat Muslim used to read them the letter of Imam Hussain and called upon them:"Do rise with my cousin, pledge him allegiance, support him and don’t let him down!".Such meetings continued until the number of people pledging allegiance to Imam Hussain touched the figure of eighteen thousand. They wept and repeatedly declared “By Allah, we shall hit with our swords between his hands, until we all die". Based upon their allegiance, Muslim sent report about their loyalty and Imam began his journey to Kufa.

So persuasively Hazrat Muslim conveyed Imam’s message to Kufians that when he used to lead prayers at the Mosque of Kufa. 30,000 people followed him. The support garnered by Hazrat Muslim made the ‘Yazidi’ regime apprehensive. Yazid replaced the governor of Kufa and appointed Ubaidullah ibn Ziyad to check the growing following of Hazrat Muslim. The new governor sent his men during evening prayers to announce publicly announcing that anyone found supporting Muslim ibn Aqeel will be tortured and executed. Instead of raising voice against the Governor’s order, Kufians preferred to desert Hazrat Muslim. The impact of Governor’s threat could be gauged from the fact that when Hazrat Muslim finished Maghrib prayers, out of 30,000 only 18 remained with him. After Isha prayers only. Hazrat Muslim found the mosque empty with the exception of the presence of his host Hani Ibn Urwah. The treachery left Hazrat Muslim greatly perturbed. He had only one thing in his mind- how to inform Imam Hussain to stop his journey? On 7^th and 8^th Zil Hijj, he made desperate attempts to get out of kufa but failed as all the exits were closely guarded by Ibn Ziyad’s soldiers. He also urged people to pay no heed to the threats of Yazidi regime if they wanted to appease Allah. Since only few of among those who had invited Imam were honest and the majority was in a stage of psychological paralysis with their  love and attachment to the worldly life intact, Hazrat Muslims returned to the house of his host with a heavy heart.

After isolating him completely, about 500 soldiers were sent to capture him but Hazrat Muslim outsmarted them with his bravery. He was so strong that he could grab a man with one hand and throw him over the house. Ibn Ziyad sent more soldiers were summoned but Muslim remained inaccessible. Then, they played a trick, dug a pit and covered it with leaves .While fighting ferociously, Hazrat Muslim fell into the pit and was captured. Historians narrate that Hazrat Muslim was badly wounded when he entered the court of Ibn Ziyad. His teeth were broken and blood was gushing out from all over. Yet he entered the court like a 'Lion' and refused to pay any respect to the governor when someone asked , saying “My Amir is only Imam Hussain”. An infuriated ibn Ziyad told Hazrat Muslim that he would be shortly killed and asked him to make his last wishes. The Hashemite Lion replied “I owe a debt which should be discharged by selling off my sword and armor. Secondly I want my body to be given a proper burial. Thirdly I want a message sent to Hussain advising him not to come to Kufa." Ibne Ziyad agreed to the first request but refused to do anything about other two requests. It is also recorded in some narrations that Hazrat Muslim also asked the Governor to spare the life of his host, taking full responsibility of all his actions. Hazrat Muslim remained steadfast till his execution. He never thought of his own death but kept praying for the safety of Imam Hussain. His blunt replies to the absurd questions in the open court made ibn Ziyad so furious that he ordered the   execution of Hazrat Muslim on the roof top of his palace. He remained calm and composed as he was dragged up to the roof top. He kept reciting “Allah-O-u Akbar" till his beheading. Then, his body was thrown to the ground. He was mercilessly killed on 9t^hof Zil Hijj in 60 AH- just a day before when Muslims were preparing themselves to celebrate the festivities of Eid- al- Hajj. He is buried in Kufa and thousands of people go annually to visit his holy tomb to pay their respects. They visit his shrine, for he strived for the fulfillment of the responsibility entrusted to him by Imam Hussain and sacrificed himself in the cause. His dialogue with Ibn Ziyad, his fearlessness till his last moment and his last wishes not only symbolize his Islamic ethics but also serve as a lesson to modern diplomats as to how should they behave in adversity? (The article has been written as a mark of respect to the first martyr of Karbala Hazrat Muslim on the eve of his martyrdom’s anniversary.Photo courtesy Google Image).