Letters of the people of Kufa to Imam Hussein (A.S) (Part 2)

"In the name of Allah the Beneficent, the Merciful. To Hussein bin Ali (A.S) from Suleiman bin Surad, Musayyab bin Najabah, Rufa’ah bin Shaddad, Habeeb bin Muzhaahir and other followers from the citizens of Kufa, the believers and Muslims. Peace be upon you! We praise and glorify Allah before you, besides whom there is no other Deity. Now then! Praise be to Allah that He has destroyed your obstinate enemy. The one (referred to Mu’awiyah)

Who had leapt upon the Islamic nation and snatched their affairs into his own hands and grabbed their booty and seized control of it without their consent. He killed the virtuous and spared the wicked ones. And he scattered the wealth of Allah among the tyrants and the wealthy people and we have no Imam left with us (except you). We request you to come to us so that Allah may unite us upon the truth. Allah’s Peace and Blessings be upon you."

They gave this letter to Ubaydullah bin Musme’ Hamadani and Abdullah bin Wal Taymi and told them to hasten. They rushed until they reached Mecca on the tenth of the month of Ramadhan. Then the people of Kufa waited for two days and again sent Qays bin Mushir Saydawi, Abdul Rahman bin Abdullah bin Shaddad Arhabi, and Ammarah bin Abdullah Saluli with hundred and fifty letters written by one, two, three or four people.

Then again after a lapse of two days they sent Hani bin Hani Sabee’i and Sa’eed bin Abdullah Hanafi with a letter whose contents were as follows: "In the name of Allah the Beneficent, the Merciful. To Hussein bin Ali (A.S) from his followers, believers and Muslims. Now then! Make haste, for people are awaiting you and hold no other opinion, hence hasten, hasten. Peace be upon you."

Another letter was written by Shabas bin Rab’ee, Hajjar bin Abjar Ajali, Yazeed bin Hurayth bin Ruwaym Shaybani, Urwa bin Qays Ahmasi, Amr bin Hajjaj Zubaydi, and Muammad bin Amr Tamimi which read as follows: "Now then! The gardens have turned green and the fruits have ripened. If you desire, you may arrive here, the army is ready to defend you." When all the messengers gathered together, Imam read the letters and inquired from them about the people.

Sayyed ibne Tawoos says that Imam Hussein (A.S) arose and recited Prayers between Rukn and Makan (in the Kaba) and desired goodness from the Almighty. Then he called for Muslim bin Aqeel bin Abi Talib (A.S) and apprised him about the situation and wrote a letter in reply to the people of Kufa.

Shaikh Mufeed says that Imam Hussein (A.S) sent the following reply with Hani bin Hani Sabee’i and Sa’eed bin Abdullah Hanafi, who were the last messengers (from Kufa):

"In the name of Allah the Beneficent, the Merciful. From Hussein bin Ali to the noblemen among the Muslims and believers. Now then! Hani and Sa’eed have brought me your letters; I have realized your opinions through them. I send to you my cousin, my brother and a trustworthy person from among my family Muslim bin Aqeel. And I have instructed him to inquire about your affairs and write to me regarding it. And if he writes to me that your elders, the wise and the learned men hold the same opinion as your messengers have conveyed to me and as written in your letters, then I shall come to you quickly, Allah willing. I swear by my life, that he is not an Imam and guide except he who judges in accordance to the Book of Allah, and establishes justice, and professes the True Religion and dedicates himself to the will of Almighty Allah. Greetings."

Then Imam Hussein (A.S) called Muslim bin Aqeel bin Abi Talib (A.S) and dispatched him to Kufa with Qays bin Mushir Saydawi, Ammarah bin Abdullah Arjee and Abdul Rahman and Abdullah, the sons of Shaddad Arhabi. He enjoined them with fear of Allah to conceal their mission, besides advising them to be merciful, and that if they find people to be firm and resolute then they should immediately inform him.