This 58-part programme introduces the uprising of the Chief of Martyrs, Imam Husain (Peace upon him), the grandson of Prophet Mohammad (blessings of God upon him and his progeny). What events led to the epic of Ashura , and we present you with a brief history of the uprising of Imam Husain (PBUH).
With the death of tyrant and usurper, Mu’awiya ibn Abu Sufyan, in the month of Rajab of the Year 60 AH, his equally cruel and tyrannical son, Yazid took over as caliph or political leader of the Muslim lands, contrary to the terms of the treaty that was concluded some two decades earlier with the Prophet’s elder grandson, Imam Hasan (AS) that the caliphate should return to the Ahl al-Bayt or the blessed family of the Prophet of Islam. On assuming rule in Damascus Yazid immediately sent a number of letters to provincial governors and informing them of his father’s death, and his takeover of the caliphate. Yazid also wrote a letter to the governor of Medina, "Waleed Bin Otbah", ordering him to "use any means at his disposal to force Imam Husain (PuH) to take an oath of allegiance to his rule.
On receiving the letter Waleed, after consulting with the crafty Marwan ibn Hakam, decided to invite Imam Husain to his palace. Waleed wanted to pressure the Imam into taking the oath of allegiance to Yazid, before news of Mu’awiya's death became common knowledge in Medina. When the messenger of Waleed reached Imam Husain (PBUH) and delivered his message, the Imam asked 30 of his closest relatives and companions to take up arms and accompany him to the governors’ palace, and wait outside the hall, so that if it was required, they could enter to defend the Imam.
Waleed informed the Imam of Mu’awiya's death, and asked him to take an oath of allegiance to Yazid’s rule. The Imam’s reply was characteristically forthright, decisive and unequivocal. He said: "A person like me will never give oath of allegiance – whether in public or private – to a libertine like Yazid.”
Thus, the Imam rejected outright Yazid’s ungodly rule, and declared his reasons for this rejection as follows: "O Waleed! We (the Ahl-ul-Bayt) are the family of prophet-hood and a treasure of the prophet’s mission. It is to our family that the angels descend, and God's mercy is sent down through our family.
The Lord commenced Islam through our family, and right till the end our family will accompany Islam step-by-step. But Yazid, the person whom you expect me to gives an oath of allegiance to, is a drunkard whose hands are stained with the blood of many innocent people. He is a person who openly opposes and contravenes God's commands, and he openly engages in immoral behaviour, debauchery and libertinism in front of everyone's eyes. Is it then appropriate (or proper) for someone like me, with such a brilliant background, and from such a noble family, to give an oath of allegiance to such a corrupt individual as Yazid?! Both of us (you and us) need to consider the future. You will see who is worthy and deserving of the caliphate and of leading the Islamic ummah, and which one of us is worthy of receiving the oath of allegiance of the people."
The Imam's forthright and prophetic words sets out the motives for his future uprising , and clearly shows what line the Imam will take in relation to Yazid. The Imam will smash Yazid's power and will not let this corrupt Libertine to lead astray the Islamic Ummah. Many scholars consider the above few sentences by the Imam as effectively the start of his uprising!!
source : irib
