The
map shows the Route that Imam Hussain (A.S) took when he
left Makkah for Iraq. The date was 8th Zilhijja 60 Hijri
(10.9.680 AD). With him there were about 50 people including
women and children of his family and friends. His uncle Ibne
Abbas and his brother Mohammad-e-Hanafiya did not go with
him. They came to bid farewell and tried to warn the Imam of
the dangers ahead. Mohammad-e-Hanafiya told him that the
Makkans and other pilgrims were wondering why he was leaving
just one day before the Hajj. Imam left a letter with his
brother which explained his position clearly. The letter
read as follows:
"I
have not come out to stir emotions, to play with oppression.
I want to bring the Ummah back to the path of Amr-bil-Marouf
& Nahyi Anil Munker. I want to lead them to the path of
my Grandfather and my father Ali Ibne Abi Talib."
After
leaving Makkah there were 14 places mentioned in history
books where Imam either stayed or met people or gave
sermons.
1.
Saffah: Here Imam met Farazzdaq the poet whom Imam asked
about conditions in Kufa. He said, ' He said, 'People's
hearts were with you but their swords were against you.'
Imam replied, 'Allah does what he wishes. Ileave it to him
who proposes the just cause.
2.
Dhat-el-Irq: Here Imam's cousin Abdullah Ibne Jafar brought
his two sons Auwn and Mohammed to their mother Hazrat Zainab
and to help the imam. He tried to persuade the Imam to
return to Madina but Imam replied, 'my destiny is in the
hands of Allah.'
3.
Batn-er-Rumma: Imam sent a letter to Kufa with Qais bin
Mashir, met Abdullah bin Mutee who came from Iraq. When he
heard of Imam's intention, he tried to stop him. He said
Kufans were not faithful and could not be trusted. But Imam
continued his journey.
4.
Zurud: Imam met Zohair Ibne Qain. Zohair was not among the
followers of Ahlulbait. But when Imam told him of the
purpose of his journey Zohair gave all his possesions to his
wife, told her to go home and said that he wished to be
martyred with the Imam.
5.
Zabala: Imam learnt from two tribesmen coming from Kufa of
the death of Hazrat Muslim. Imam said, 'Innan Lillahe wa
Inna Elaihe Rajeoon. Indallah-Nahtasib Anfusana.' 'We are
for Allah and we shall return to Him who surely accouts for
our sacrifices. Asadi Tribesmen tried to dissuade the Imam
from his journey but he persisted. Here Imam told his
companions the news of the death of Muslim and Hani and that
people in Kufa were not prepared to be their helpers. Imam
said, 'Those who want to depart leave now.' Hoards of
various tribesmen who had followed the Imam in the hope of
collecting the booty realised their false hopes and
scattered to their own homes. Only 50 odd people remained.
6.
Batn-e-Aqeeq: Imam met a man from the Tribe of Akrama who
told him that Kufa was no more a friendly town and was now
surrounded by Yazid's army. No one could get in or out of
the town. But the Imam carried on.
7.
Sorat: Imam stayed the night here and in the morning ordered
his companions to take as much water as they can.
8.
Sharaf: While the Imam was passing from this place, one of
his companions shouted that he could see the approach of an
army. Imam asked for a safe place, preferably a mountain
behind them. A guide took them to the nearest mountain.
9.
Zuhasm: It was here that Imam met Hurr's army of 1000 men.
They wre thirsty so Imam ordered his men to give them water.
Imam himself helped several thirsty soldiers to drink. Even
animals were given water to drink. Zohr prayers were led by
the Imam and all followed him including Hurr's soldiers.
Here Imam told hurr about many letters from Kufa. He said,
'O People of Kufa, you sent me your delegations and wrote me
letters that you had no Imam and that I should come to unite
you and lead you in the way of Allah. You wrote that we
Ahlulbait are more qualified to govern your affairs than
those who claim things to which they have no right and act
unjustly and wrongly. But if you have changed your mind,
have become ignorant of our Rights and have forgotten your
promises, I shall turn back. But he was denied to turn back
by Hurr's army and was lead to by-pass Kufa.
10.
Baiza: Imam reached Baiza the next day and delivered one of
his most famous sermons. 'O People, the Prophet has said
that if a man sees a tyrannical ruler transgressing against
Allah and the Prophet and oppressing people but does nothing
by word or action to change the situation then it will be
just for Allah to place him where he deservingly belongs. Do
you not see to what low level the affairs have come down...
Do you not observe that truth has not adhered to and
falsehood has no limit. And as for me, I look upon death as
but a means of attaining martyrdom and I consider life among
transgressors as nothing but an agony and an affliction.'
11.
Uzaibul Hajanat: Here Imam stayed away from the army of Hurr
and met Trimmah bin Adi. After having learnt about the Kufan
abandonment of his envoy it was clear that he had no hope of
support or even survival in Kufa. Nevertheless he refused an
offer of safety, if not success extended to him. Trimmah
pleaded to him to accept the offer of 20,000 trained men of
his tribe to help him if he wanted to go to Kufa or he could
retire to the mountains and safety. Imam replied to Ibne Adi,
'Allah bless you and your people. I cannot go from my word.
Things are destined. It is clear from this reply that he was
fully aware of the dangers he would face and that he had a
certain strategy and plan in mind to bring about a
revolution in the conscience of the Muslim Ummah. He did not
try to mobilise military support which he could easily have
done in Hejaz nor did he try to exploit whatever physical
strength was available to him.
12.
Qasr-e-Bani Makatil: It was evident here that Kufa was no
more his destination. As Hurr did not want to leave him, he
by-passed Kufa and took a new route. Resting in the
afternoon he uttered 'Inna Lillah.' His 18 years old son Ali
Akber approached him and enquired. Imam said that in his
sleep he had heard someone saying that these people were
going to their deaths. Ali Akber asked, 'Are we not on the
Right path. Death meant nothing to them. Death of this kind
transforms into the glory of martyrdom.
13.
Nainawa: At this place a messenger of Ibne Zaid brought a
message for Hurr not to leave the Imam. The battered caravan
passed through Ghaziriya to a place called Karbala. Imam
sighed, asked for the name of the place. Someone said
Kerbala. Imam said, yes, this is the place of Kerbin-wa-bala.
(a place of pain and torture.) Let us stop here for we have
arrived at our destination. This is the place of our
Martyrdom. This is Karbala.
14.
Karbala: On the orders of the Imam, the tents were erected
near the river which was a tributary of the River Eupheretes
some miles away. The date was 2nd Muharram 61 Hijri (3rd
October 680 AD).
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