Book 5 - Imam Hussain | the Martyr

Chapter 1 - The Companion

Chapter 1 - The Companion
Dissent - Year 60 AH month of Thu Alhja

The horse was galloping so hard it left a trail of dust big enough to be seen several kilometers away. Still, not many in the market gave notice. Horses and camels coming in and out of the city was a daily occurrence. This was Mecca after all! Yet this particular traveler had a dark omen about him. He would arrive around the thuhr prayer as the sun was rising to its zenith blazing down on the Meccan land with heat so intense that no shade can provide refuge. Even so, the Arabs in the land have lived here for centuries. they have adapted superbly. So well in fact that the Meccan market was full of life, full of barters negotiating, hassling and praying to get the best deal possible on fabric, spices and a plethora of merchandise. The people walked as if swimming through the sun beams and humid air searching for their daily livelihood. Some successful but most returning to their homes empty-handed. The ominous dust trail would make that the least of their worries. Oblivious to what was coming the people went on with little thought to the approaching traveller. Only one man was staring at the galloping beast. A gallop carrying a sense of urgency with its momentum. The man, while still staring, slowly but surely began to pace towards the dark apparition, receiving many signs of respect as he moved. Not surprising as it was Habib son of Muthaher. A well-known companion of the prophet during his life. For this reason, other Muslims would bow their heads while placing their right hande to their chest as he passed. Habib would graciously reciprocate. His clothes gave no indication as to his status among his fellow Muslims, no in fact, his patched wool Cloak layered on top a plain tunic and pants gave a sense of humbleness to the companion. This was further enhanced by his friendly features. His face seemed to perpetually carry a soft smile that would instantly put those around him at ease and as his name would suggest endear him to others. Still moving with his endearing smile through the crowds Habib halted at the very edge of the market place and around the spot in which a small podium was mounted. A podium reserved for the caliph’s messenger to ascend and announce his master’s declarations upon. True enough, mere minutes passed before the traveler arrived and dismounted his horse. The traveler was middle aged with skin clearly darkened by prolonged exposure to the Arabian sun. he was wearing a white turban on his head as was customary for a messenger, however, his chest was covered with thick leather armor which covered a white tunic reaching only to his waist. To complete the ensemble, he wore a white pair of pants. To slightly tighten the garment around his ankles the man had laced his Caligula sandals. Similarly, he had laced thick leather cuffs from his wrist half way to his elbow. Most disconcerting was the sheaved sword and dagger attached to his belt. Definitely not a conventional messenger, thought Habib. Regardless of the mixed wardrobe the man approached and then ascended the podium confirming his purpose. His eyes staring with malice and his thin sneering lips slightly covered by his greying beard the man spoke. He spoke with a loud thundering voice which echoed throughout the market and said: Oh people of mecca, hear me! It was as if all those in the market lost their voices, all activities cessed then he continued, For those of you who don’t know me I am Amro son of AlAas. I bring sad news from Damascus. The people instantly intrigued hurried to get close and listen.  Our Caliph Mouawea has passed from this world. This statement was of no shock to many since it was well known Mouawea was terminally ill and people visibly lost interest. However, it was not the case for the next revelation. Amro grinned and boomed, Do not despair! All murmurs and whispers of indifference started by his previous announcement stopped abruptly then Amro spoke. He has appointed his son Yazid as successor and our new caliph has appointed me as governor to Mecca. Such an unexpected announcement which caught everyone by surprise. That did not slow Amro down. In fact he continued speaking in a sinister tone: As your governor I am to personally take your pledge of allegiance to Yazid son of Mouawea. As everything unfolded Habib’s perpetual smile faded, replaced with an expression of shear anger. Habib could no longer be silent only listening after the last statement Amro made. As if a dam broke in his heart Habib screamed rather than spoke and said, how dare you and your drunken master assume I or any devote Muslim would pledge. His words agitated the crowd and loud voices of discontent erupted. Amro replied, I only do what has been legitimised by Mouawea, who are you that dares to speak in defiance. Habibs blood boiled and again with rage in his voice he answered, WHAT LEGITIMACY! His roar made the crowd disperse around him and he stood now face to face with Amro unimpeded. The crowd was now encircling the two men in obvious anxiety. Habib stared rigidly at Amro and said, Mouawea campaigned in his life to secure allegiance for his son from our leaders and failed miserably. Many companions of the Prophet including his grandson refused and now on his death bed he thinks he can ignore this fact and appoint his son!   Amro twisted his lips and slowly asked again,  I asked who you are. now answer me! Habib answered his opponent defiantly, I am among the few privileged to be called companion of the prophet. I am Habib son of Muthaher. Amro’s eyes narrowed as if unimpressed, make no mistake! You will all give your allegiance to our new caliph and as a companion you will be among the first.  As if on cue the moment he finished a large dust trail emerged on the horizon. Ten’s possibly hundreds of horses galloping furiously towards the city. The sound of hoofs on dry sand getting louder by the second and the new governors sneer getting more and more sinister. He spoke once more with absolute blood thirst in his tone, he said, If not! My blade will find its way to your throat! With this threat the people in the market found the distant trail of dust no longer at the horizon, the galloping horses have entered the market and slowly surrounded its perimeter. Some stayed at the city border as obvious sentinels daring any one to try leaving Mecca. Our prophet Mohammed would weep at the state of his people if he saw them today. These were Habib’s thoughts as he looked onwards to the armed men surrounding the city. Throughout the recently deceased caliph’s rule Habib observed  Muslims suffer from injustice and corruption propagated by Mouawea and his family. He momentarily hesitated on what action he must take, giving allegiance to Yazid I will never do! He said with an inaudible voice as if reasserting his allegiance to the Prophet. The armed men entering the city caused a commotion. Habib decided to escape the market place as chaos ensued and before all exits are sealed. Just then the new blood thirsty governor opened his mouth to make one more declaration to all those still listening. This time he spoke with a cautionary tone and said, I am obligated to inform you all the following, as I speak an emissary from Yazid is arriving at Medina. People still running from the armed men all around Amro as he continued, His sole purpose is insuring that both Hussain the grandson of the prophet and Abdullah son of Zubair give their allegiance to Yazid. He paused for a moment looking all around in search of Habib but the commotion was too great, he lost sight of him and so boomed for all to hear,  As I already said, ALL WILL CONFORM! even the grandson and companions of the prophet. With this final ultimatum Habib stopped for just a moment understanding the warning directed specifically to him and promptly became more determined on escaping and manoeuvred to do so.   

Summons
"To the man full of knowledge, Habib son of Muthaher, and so Habib, you know of our kinship to the Messenger of Allah may Allah bless him and his family, and you know us better than other's. You are a man of honor and truth. So do not deny us your sword; and your reward shall be at his hands, my grandfather the Messenger of Allah may Allah bless him and his family to the Day of Resurrection"
Imam Hussain son of Ali (peace be upon them)

Given the chaos Habibs escape from the market place was relatively smooth. Having lived in Mecca for so long Habib knew all its ally ways like the back of his hand. The market was right next to the Prophets Mosque and the main exit leading to it was already sealed. However, Habib knew another. Being very cumbersome to find people rarely used it. You had to enter a specific spice shop then exit from the other side and from there pass between the black smith and carpenter shops. After passing this narrow ally you would find a wall that was less than two feet away from the row of shop walls on either side. Habib knew he had to turn left then pass three shops including the carpenter. After the third shop a hole just big enough for a person was waiting. With a background of screaming solders and pounding of swords on shields Habib wasted no time and made use of this concealed exit. It took minutes for him to reach his home of mud bricks and palm tree leaves for a roof. He was very surprised to find a horse secured to his house and quickly entered finding his wife right in front of him fully covered. Startled by his demeanour, she immediately said, Habib you have a visitor, he has an urgent message. Habibs anxiety showed clearly but had no time to waste. Wait here Om Alqasem, he said. Then he walked from the entrance and through the small front yard which doubled as a cooking area and into the single room they had. In there he found a man seated on the carpet looking even more anxious than himself. The man was dressed as a messenger normally did and thankfully with out any of the armament which the previous traveller had worn. The messenger got up and pulled out a leather parchment and handed it to Habib then said, I am truly sorry for my unannounced visit. I come from Imam Hussain with what you hold in your hand and again I am sorry but I must leave immediately to complete another urgent delivery. Habib was still shaken from the event at the market and so asked no questions. He simply nodded his head at the man after which the unannounced visitor promptly left. Om Alqasem seeing the messenger leave rushed to her husband to find him reading the leather parchment. With his back still to his wife he said with a soft subdued voice, I have been summoned by Imam Hussain. Habib's wife saw him immediately head for his sword and shield which were rapped and stored in one corner of their one room. She must have sensed his intentions. She removed her hijab while asking: Habib are you preparing to answer imam Hussains summons? An opportunity just presented itself to Habib; I will test my beloved wife’s convictions, he thought and replied to her question indifferently to gage her loyalty. he said, I don't believe it wise to answer the Imam’s call my beloved, we can not associate with imam Hussain given current events with the caliphate. I am in fact preparing to travel to Yemen to stay far from the coming conflict and you along with our daughters are coming with me. as the words left his mouth he berated himself silently. For a moment his mind wondered back in time to the beginning of an age of justice and spiritualty.

Early memories – Year 7 AH
“I promise you Habib that you will live long after me and you will do battle alongside my child, a battle in which you shall gain martyrdom”
Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him and his family)

It was so long ago, one of Habib's earliest memories of Imam Hussain; the young Imam was with the Prophet at the time. They passed Habib after leaving the Prophets Mosque. he stood up from his place and headed to the ground were Imam Hussain walked. Scraping some of the sand on which Hussain stepped Habib lifted it close to his face and said with a loving tone; you have a big place in my heart young Imam. To this the prophet stopped then turned and said “is this true Habib?” to which he answered “it is Messenger of Allah” and the prophet answered “I promise you Habib that you will live long after me and you will do battle alongside my grandson, a battle in which you shall gain martyrdom”. Back in the present, truly strange emotions have taken over Habib. Remembering the Prophets words filled his very soul with strength in body and soul.  Still, being told the event in which he will finally meet his end has given him a sense of finality and worry. How could you Habib, this is the son of Fatima, son of Imam Ali, grandson of our prophet! How could you not answer his summons! a desperate plea from Om Alqasem broke him from his reverie. Habib's heart filled with joy and relief at his wife’s words. He could lie no longer and without hesitation said to her, you have made me a happy man Om Alqasem, my words were only to gage your conviction and your response was as desired. I promise you that imam Hussain will have my will and sword to command how he sees fit. Om Alqasem in turn sighed in relief. She put her hand on his chest, looked deeply into his eyes and said, Habib, do not fall short in your service to the son of Fatima. I wish meet my lady on the day of judgment proud to say you my husband gave your life in service to her son. Her features serious throughout. Habibs warm smile returned. His wife’s words cemented his resolve and he hugged Om Alqasem. With his head on her shoulder, his eyes staring into nothing he replied, you will meet her with your head held high.