By: Ghulam Hussain Ghazi
Evening was falling over Kufa. Just a few hours ago, the entire city was echoing with one name. The historic Mosque of Kufa was alive with the thunderous cry of “Labbayk Ya Hussain (AS)”. Thousands had gathered around a single man. Every hand was raised for allegiance. Every voice carried one belief: “O beloved nephew of the Messenger (PBUH), come. Kufa will lie at your feet.”
And when the sun set… loyalty sank with it. That noble envoy of Ahlul Bayt now stood alone in the deserted streets of Kufa. No companion. No shade. No army of 18,000 pledges. The people of the morning had become strangers by the evening.
Ubaydullah ibn Ziyad who was made Kufa Governor in a rush by the illegitimate ruler Yazid Bin Muaviya, his first decree was: “Whoever gives shelter to Muslim bin Aqeel will have his head severed.” That was all it took. The crowd scattered like sand. After Maghrib prayer, Muslim (RA) was alone in the mosque and after Isha prayer, when he stepped outside, every lane of Kufa felt like a foreign land.
Thirsty, exhausted and helpless, he kept knocking on doors. One door opened. An elderly woman stood there. It was Taw’ah (RA). With a trembling voice, Muslim (RA) said: “Mother, I am a weary traveler. Just give me shelter for one night.”
Taw’ah looked at his radiant face and recognized him. She asked: “Who are you?”
He replied: “I am Muslim bin Aqeel, the envoy of Hussain (AS).”
Taw’ah’s heart trembled. Her son, Bilal, was serving in Ibn Ziyad’s army that very night. One word and death was certain. But Taw’ah did not hesitate for a second. She said: “O guest of Allah! You are from Banu Hashim. You are safe in my home. The enemies of the Prophet’s family cannot enter here.”
She hid Muslim (RA) in the upper room of her house. She stayed awake all night, gave him water and food, and stood guard like a mother.
But the test of loyalty was not over yet. The next day, Bilal grew suspicious. Despite his mother’s denial, he went upstairs by force. He found Muslim (RA). Bilal ran to Muhammad bin Ash’ath and informed him. 70 swords descended on one lone man. Muslim (RA) fought alone and wounded many. His sword broke. He was captured by deceit.
Taw’ah looked at her son and cursed him: “May Allah make you disobedient to your mother.” History records that Bilal later became afflicted with leprosy. One woman risked her life and proved that loyalty was not yet dead in Kufa.
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Who was Muslim bin Aqeel (RA)? He was not an ordinary man. He was a lamp from the household of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). The nephew of Hazrat Ali (RA). The cousin of Imam Hussain (AS). The same hand upon which thousands pledged allegiance to Imam Hussain (AS).
He was born during the caliphate of Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA). His father Hazrat Aqeel bin Abi Talib (RA), was the elder brother of Ali (RA) and the cousin of the Prophet (PBUH). Aqeel (RA) was a master of genealogy and eloquence. The Prophet (PBUH) loved him dearly.
Muslim (RA) was raised in that noble household. His childhood was spent in the scholarly and spiritual atmosphere of Madinah Munawwarah, surrounded by the Companions (RA), Ahlul Bayt (AS) and the Tabi’een.
From childhood, Muslim (RA) was known for his courage, honesty and devotion. Hazrat Ali (RA) held him very dear. Imam Hasan (AS) and Imam Hussain (AS) regarded him like a brother.
During the caliphate of Ali (RA), he stood by his uncle and proved his loyalty in times of war and tribulation. After the martyrdom of Imam Hasan Mujtaba (AS) in 50 AH, the leadership of Ahlul Bayt passed to Imam Hussain (AS).
Then came the time when, after the death of Amir Muawiyah (RA), Yazid declared himself caliph. Imam Hussain (AS) refused allegiance. Letters began pouring in from Kufa: “O beloved nephew of the Messenger (PBUH), come to Kufa. We are with you.”
Imam Hussain (AS) was a wise and responsible leader. He did not trust letters alone. He decided to send his most trusted representative to Kufa. That responsibility was given to Muslim bin Aqeel (RA).
When Muslim Bin Aqeel (RA) arrived in Kufa, he was welcomed grandly. Thousands pledged allegiance. He wrote to Imam (AS): “The people are waiting for you. Please come.”
But circumstances changed suddenly. Yazid appointed Ubaydullah ibn Ziyad as the governor of Kufa. Harsh, cunning and a master of political manipulation, he began to change the atmosphere of Kufa through threats, fear, greed and tribal pressure.
Henceforth those who stood with Muslim (RA) yesterday began to step back. Tribal chiefs were bought. People were intimidated. Government officials became active. And then came the moment history will never forget.
A crowd of thousands turned into a few hundred. A few hundred into a few dozen. And finally, Muslim (RA) was left completely alone. During this time, his host and loyal companion, Hazrat Hani bin Urwah (RA), was arrested. He was tortured severely but he did not abandon Muslim (RA).
Eventually, Muslim (RA) was also arrested and taken to the governor’s palace in Kufa. He knew only a few moments of life remained. But there was no fear on his face. His final wish was that the message be conveyed to Imam Hussain (AS): “The situation in Kufa has changed.”
According to narrations, on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, 60 AH, the Day of Arafah, Muslim bin Aqeel (RA) was martyred. Hani bin Urwah (RA) was also martyred that same day. The blood of these two loyal soldiers of Ahlul Bayt flowed in the streets of Kufa. It was that blood which opened the door to the tragedy of Karbala.
Imam Hussain (AS) was traveling from Makkah toward Iraq when he received the news of Muslim (RA)’s martyrdom. It was a heartbreaking tragedy.
Because Muslim (RA) was not just an envoy. He was family. He was trust. He was the symbol of loyalty. His life teaches us that the path of truth is not always with the crowd. Sometimes, thousands claim to stand with you but in the hour of trial, they desert you one by one.
Muslim (RA) did not abandon loyalty even in solitude. He did not leave the side of truth even in fear. And knowing full well that the end was martyrdom, he never stepped back from the mission of Ahlul Bayt.
The first martyr of Karbala did not fall on the field of Karbala. He fell in the streets of Kufa. His name was Muslim bin Aqeel (RA). May Allah be pleased with him.
Dear readers! The next article in Ghazi Stories’ Muharram Series will be on Imam Hussain (AS) journey to Karbala.
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