Shia Mourners Gather at Grand Kufa Mosque to Mark Martyrdom of Muslim ibn Aqil

Shia Mourners Gather at Grand Kufa Mosque to Mark Martyrdom of Muslim ibn Aqil
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Shia mourners and Husseini processions have converged on the Grand Kufa Mosque to commemorate the martyrdom anniversary of Muslim ibn Aqil, peace be upon him, the cousin and envoy of Imam Hussein, peace be upon him, in Kufa.

The roads leading to the Grand Kufa Mosque in the holy city of Kufa have witnessed a large turnout of pilgrims and Husseini mourning processions marking the martyrdom anniversary of Muslim ibn Aqil, peace be upon him, the cousin and envoy of Imam Hussein, peace be upon him.

According to the Shia Waves Agency correspondent in Kufa, mourners from several Iraqi provinces arrived at the mosque to take part in central mourning ceremonies organized for this painful occasion. Black banners were raised, elegies were recited, and gatherings were held to remember the sacrifices of Muslim ibn Aqil and the noble companion Hani ibn Urwah, may Allah be pleased with them.

Muslim ibn Aqil, son of Aqil ibn Abi Talib, was one of the distinguished figures of Banu Hashim. He accompanied Imam Hussein, peace be upon him, during the Imam’s departure from Medina to Mecca. After letters from the people of Kufa reached Imam Hussein, the Imam sent Muslim ibn Aqil to the city to assess the situation and verify the sincerity of those who had pledged support.

Historical accounts state that Muslim ibn Aqil arrived in Kufa on the fifth of Shawwal. Large numbers of Shias visited him, and he read Imam Hussein’s letter to them. Reports differ on the number of people who pledged allegiance to him on behalf of Imam Hussein, with some accounts mentioning 12,000, others 18,000, and some more than 30,000.

Historical narrations say the people gradually abandoned Muslim ibn Aqil under pressure and threats from Ibn Ziyad’s forces. By night, he was left alone with no supporter or shelter. He later took refuge in the house of a woman named Tawa, but her son informed the authorities the following morning.

Ibn Ziyad then sent a force to arrest Muslim. He was taken to the governor’s palace, where he was martyred while remembering Allah and sending blessings upon the family of the Prophet, peace be upon him and his pure family. His martyrdom took place on the Day of Arafah, the ninth of Dhu al-Hijjah, in the year 60 AH.