Quick answer
Hazrat Muslim bin Aqeel (a.s.) was the cousin and envoy (Safeer) of Imam Hussain (a.s.). Sent to Kufa in 60 AH to take the people’s pledge of allegiance, he was abandoned when Ubaidullah ibn Ziyad seized the city, and was martyred on 9 Dhul Hijjah 60 AH (the Day of Arafah). He is buried beside Masjid al-Kufa in Iraq.
Before the caravan of Imam Hussain (a.s.) reached Karbala, one man went ahead of it and gave his life first. Hazrat Muslim bin Aqeel (a.s.) is remembered as the first martyr of the movement of Imam Hussain. In many Shia homes and Imambargahs, the first majlis of Muharram is dedicated to him. You can also read the Ziyarat of Hazrat Muslim ibn Aqeel (a.s.).
| Full name | Muslim ibn Aqeel ibn Abi Talib |
|---|---|
| Title | Safeer-e-Hussain (the envoy of Imam Hussain) |
| Father | Aqeel ibn Abi Talib, brother of Imam Ali (a.s.) |
| Wife | Syeda Ruqayya bint Ali (a.s.) |
| Mission | Envoy of Imam Hussain (a.s.) to Kufa, 60 AH |
| Martyrdom | 9 Dhul Hijjah 60 AH, the Day of Arafah, in Kufa |
| Shrine | Beside Masjid al-Kufa, Iraq |
Family and early life
Muslim was the son of Aqeel ibn Abi Talib, the elder brother of Imam Ali (a.s.), which made him the first cousin of Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Imam Hussain (a.s.). He grew up in the household of the Ahlul Bayt, fought alongside Imam Ali (a.s.), and was known for his courage, knowledge and loyalty. He married Syeda Ruqayya, a daughter of Imam Ali (a.s.).
Why Imam Hussain sent him to Kufa
After the death of Muawiya in 60 AH, Yazid demanded allegiance from Imam Hussain (a.s.), and the Imam refused. The people of Kufa then sent letter after letter inviting the Imam to come and lead them. Before travelling, Imam Hussain (a.s.) sent his trusted cousin to check whether the invitation was sincere. In his letter to the Kufans, the Imam described Muslim as “my brother, my cousin and the trusted one of my family”.
In Kufa: the pledge and the betrayal
- Arrival (Shawwal 60 AH): Muslim reached Kufa and stayed first in the house of Mukhtar al-Thaqafi. Thousands of Kufans, commonly reported as about 18,000, pledged allegiance to Imam Hussain (a.s.) through him.
- Letter to the Imam: encouraged by this support, Muslim wrote to Imam Hussain (a.s.) inviting him to come.
- Ibn Ziyad takes over: Yazid appointed Ubaidullah ibn Ziyad governor of Kufa. Through threats, bribes and spies, he turned the people away.
- Hani ibn Urwa: Muslim moved to the house of Hani ibn Urwa, a chief of Kufa. Hani was arrested and later martyred for refusing to hand him over.
- Left alone: when Muslim rose with his supporters, the crowds melted away. By nightfall not one remained with him.
The night with Tau’a and his last stand
Alone in the streets of Kufa, Muslim was given shelter by a pious woman named Tau’a. Her son told the governor’s men, and the next morning a force led by Muhammad ibn al-Ashath surrounded the house. Muslim fought bravely and alone until he was wounded and captured under a false promise of safety.
Brought before Ibn Ziyad, he stayed firm. His last wishes were to pay a small debt he owed in Kufa and to send word to Imam Hussain (a.s.) not to come, because the people had betrayed him. On 9 Dhul Hijjah 60 AH, the Day of Arafah, he was beheaded on the roof of the governor’s palace (Dar al-Imara), and his body was thrown to the ground. He faced the direction of Madinah and sent salaam to his Imam with his final words.
His sons and his legacy
Imam Hussain (a.s.) received the news of Muslim’s martyrdom on the journey to Karbala and wept for him. Muslim’s son Abdullah ibn Muslim was martyred in Karbala on Ashura. Narrations also tell of his two young sons, Muhammad and Ibrahim, remembered as Tiflan-e-Muslim, who were martyred after Karbala.
Today his shrine stands beside Masjid al-Kufa, and pilgrims recite the Ziyarat of Muslim ibn Aqeel there. His loyalty, keeping his pledge when everyone else broke theirs, is one of the first lessons of Karbala. Read more about Hazrat Qasim (a.s.), Bibi Sakina (s.a.) and Imam Zain ul Abideen (a.s.).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Muslim bin Aqeel?
Hazrat Muslim bin Aqeel (a.s.) was the cousin of Imam Hussain (a.s.) and the son of Aqeel ibn Abi Talib, the brother of Imam Ali (a.s.). In 60 AH, Imam Hussain sent him to Kufa as his envoy. He was martyred there on 9 Dhul Hijjah 60 AH, before the tragedy of Karbala.
Why was Muslim bin Aqeel sent to Kufa?
The people of Kufa sent thousands of letters inviting Imam Hussain (a.s.) to lead them. The Imam sent Muslim bin Aqeel to see whether the invitation was sincere and to take the pledge of allegiance (bayah) on his behalf.
How was Muslim bin Aqeel martyred?
After Ubaidullah ibn Ziyad took control of Kufa, the people abandoned Muslim. He fought alone, was captured under a false promise of safety, and on 9 Dhul Hijjah 60 AH was beheaded on the roof of the governor’s palace, and his body was thrown to the ground.
Where is Muslim bin Aqeel buried?
Muslim bin Aqeel (a.s.) is buried beside Masjid al-Kufa in Kufa, Iraq, near the shrine of Hani ibn Urwa, who was martyred for sheltering him.
What happened to the sons of Muslim bin Aqeel?
His son Abdullah ibn Muslim, whose mother was Syeda Ruqayya bint Ali, was martyred in Karbala on Ashura. Narrations also tell of his two young sons, Muhammad and Ibrahim (known as Tiflan-e-Muslim), who were martyred after Karbala.
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