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opinion that if you give the oath of allegiance to Yazid, the Commander of the Faithful, it will be good for you in this world and in the you Hereafter." Hearing this the Imam said, "I bid my final farewell to an Islam that has become afflicted by a ruler such as Yazid. I have heard my grandfather (the Prophet) say that the Caliphate is forbidden for the sons of Abu Sufyan."
(Muthir al-Ahzan)
THE NIGHT JOURNEY OF THE IMAM AND HIS HELPERS
The Imam's meeting with Walid took place on the night of Saturday, 27th Rajab in 60A.H. This night the Imam spent at his house in Medina. In the evening of the next day, Walid sent a group of his people to the Imam to bring him to pledge allegiance to Yazid. The Imam asked Walid's representatives to give him until the next morning in order for both the parties to consider the matter carefully. When Walid heard the Imam's request, he granted it. On that very night, the night of Sunday, 28th Rajab, the Imam together with his sons, brothers, nephews and most of his family, except one of his brothers Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah, left for Mecca.
The Imam and his family arrived in Mecca on 3rd Sha'ban in 60 A.H.
(Kitab al-Irshad)
THE LETTERS OF THE PEOPLE OF KUFAH
The news of Mu'awiyah's death, Imam Husayn's abstention from pledging allegiance and his arrival in Mecca reached the people of Kufah. The Shi'ah of Kufah gathered in the house of Sulayman ibn Surad Khuza'i. After hearing his explanation of the situation, they decided to write a letter to the Imam inviting him to Kufah. Among the people who signed the letter were Sulayman ibn Surad, Musayyib ibn Najabah, Rifa'ah ibn Shaddad and Habib ibn Muzahir together with other faithful members of the Shi'ah.
The letter was dispatched to the Imam and reached him on 10th Ramadan. Subsequent letters from different people in Kufah were also sent to the Imam. There were over a hundred and fifty letters inviting him to lead them against Yazid. The following is the text of a letter as quoted in Kitab al-Irshad: "In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate, this is a letter to al-Husayn ibn 'Ali from the faithful Muslims of the Shi'ah of Kufah. After praise and glory to Allah, O al-Husayn, advance to us for we are waiting for you and have no one other than you. Thus hurry, hurry and again hurry. Peace be with you."
(Kitab al-Irshad)
According to another report, one letter stated: " There are a thousand swords in Kufah waiting to defend you. Do not delay your coming to Kufah."
(A'yan al-Shi'ah)
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