Ibne Ziyaad, the accursed governor of Kufa, sent a message to Umar Ibne Sa’d- his commander in chief- giving him two options: kill Husain (a.s.) or hand over the charge of the chief commander to the ruthless Shimr Ibne Zil Jaushan. Cunningly, this memo was communicated to Umar Ibne Sa’d through Shimr himself. When Shimr was being dictated this communiqué, the nephew (brother’s son) of Umm al-Baneen (Hazrat Abbas’ mother), Abdullah Ibne Abi al-Mahall Ibne al-Harraam was present. On hearing the dictation of Ibne Ziyaad, Abdullah stood up and pleaded, ‘O Ameer! My cousins Abbas, Abdullah, Ja’far and Usman are also accompanying Husain (a.s.). If you so desire, please write an amnesty offer for them.” Ibne Ziyaad accepted the suggestion.
Strange! Abdullah, the cousin of Hazrat Abbas (a.s.) thought that by seeking amnesty from Ibne Ziyaad, he is doing a great service to them. But will they accept the offer and forsake their brother, their master and Imam, Husain (a.s.) just to save their skins?
When Abdullah’s slave reached Karbala with the amnesty offer, he must have thought that they would heave a sigh of relief. But these were sons of Ameerul Mo’meneen Ali Ibne Abi Taalib (a.s.). They all replied to him in one voice,
“Give our salutations to our cousin. Inform him that we are not in need of Ibne Ziyaad’s amnesty offer. The amnesty of Allah is far better than that of the son of Sumayyah.”
This is obedience. That is, to give preference to the life and limb of Imam (a.s.) over one’s own. This is the highest level of belief and faith .
Candid Riposte to Shimr the accursed
When Shimr reached Karbala and handed over the letter of Ibne Ziyaad to Umar Ibne Sa’d, the latter succumbed to the ultimatum of the governor. Shimr, who was related to Umm al-Baneen, {he belonged to the same tribe as hers. It is customary amongst the Arabs that the farthest of relatives of one’s tribe as called as nephews (sister’s son). Umm al-Baneen was not the real sister of Shimr. Rather, she belonged to the same tribe}, came to the tent of Hazrat Abbas (a.s.) and his brothers and called out,
“Where are the sons of my sister? Where are Abdullah, Ja’far, Abbas and Usman?”
Imam Husain (a.s.) advised Hazrat Abbas (a.s.),
“Although Shimr is a transgressor, nevertheless, you answer him.”
Obeying the command of their master, Hazrat Abbas (a.s.) and his brothers asked Shimr,
“What do you want?”
Shimr, the accursed, retorted,
“My nephews! You are safe. So, don’t kill yourself along with your brother Husain and obey the command of the chief of the faithful Yazeed.”
This was the moment of intense examination. Please read the reply of Hazrat Abbas (a.s.) and ponder!
“May your hands be paralyzed! How bad an amnesty you have offered, O enemy of Allah! Are you ordering us to forsake our brother and our master, Husain, the son of Fatemah, and enter into the obedience of the accursed and the children of the accursed?”
On hearing this reply, Shimr returned to his army, fuming and fretting .
Abul Fazl al Abbas: Eminence and Status Syed Mohamad Masoom