Page "Muslim ibn Aqeel" Paragraph 17

Ibne Ziyad was a cruel, unjust and shrewd man.

He kept his journey from Basra to Kufa a secret and just before entering Kufa he covered his face with a black scarf so that he could not be recognized.

He had a few horsemen in front of him and a few behing him as he entered Kufa.

The people of Kufa had been waiting for the arrival of Imam Hussain ( a. s .) anxiously and they presumed that the Imam had arrived.

Soon people started gathering around him and singing welcoming songs.

Ibne Ziyad kept observing the people and memorizing faces as the crowd grew and soon it was difficult for his convoy to proceed swiftly.

One of his guards, Muslim bin Amr Bahili, shouted " Clear the way, this is the Amir Ubaidullah ibne Ziyad ".

Hearing this, people started running away quickly and when ibne Ziyad reached the Dar-al-Amara only a handful people had been left.

Ibne Ziyad arrived in Kufa on the evening of 2nd Zil-Hajj.

On the following day he went to the mosque and addressed the people of Kufa.

He first announced his appointment as Yazid's governor.

He then threatened any one who was engaged in any activity against the government with immediate death, and ordered them to surrender Hazrat Muslim ( a. s .) to him.