—he was thirty-four years old. He confirmed his father’s governors in their provinces, dismissing none of them; this (1) was a mark of his astuteness.

Hishām ibn Muḥammad al-Kalbī (2) reports—on the authority of Abū Mikhnaf Lūṭ ibn Yaḥyā al-Kūfī, the historian—that Yazīd assumed office at the new moon of Rajab in the year 60 AH. At that time al-Walīd ibn ʿUtbah ibn Abī Sufyān was governor of Madinah, al-Nuʿmān ibn Bashīr governor of Kūfah, ʿUbayd (3) Allah ibn Ziyād governor of Basrah, and ʿAmr ibn Saʿīd ibn al-ʿĀṣ governor of Makkah. Once Yazīd had taken power he cared for nothing so much as securing the oath of allegiance from the few men who, during Muʿāwiyah’s lifetime, had refused to pledge to Yazīd. He therefore wrote to his deputy in Madinah, al-Walīd ibn ʿUtbah:

“In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Ever-Merciful. From Yazīd, Commander of the Believers, to al-Walīd ibn ʿUtbah. To proceed: Muʿāwiyah was one of Allah’s servants. Allah honored him, made him His vicegerent, enriched him, and established him. He lived the span allotted to him and died at the appointed time. May Allah have mercy on him: he lived praiseworthy and died righteous and devout. Peace.”

He also sent him a second message, written on a slip no larger than a mouse’s ear:

“To proceed: Exact a firm, uncompromising pledge of allegiance from Ḥusayn, ʿAbd Allah ibn ʿUmar, and ʿAbd Allah ibn al-Zubayr—grant them no leniency until they have pledged. Peace.”

When the news of Muʿāwiyah’s death reached al-Walīd, he was alarmed and deeply perturbed (4). He summoned Marwān, read the letter to him, and sought his advice regarding those men. Marwān said, “My opinion is that you should call them to pledge before they learn of Muʿāwiyah’s death; if they refuse, strike off their heads.”

Al-Walīd therefore immediately dispatched ʿAbd Allah ibn ʿAmr ibn ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān to Ḥusayn and Ibn al-Zubayr, who were in the mosque, saying to them, “Answer the governor!” They replied, “Go back; we will come to him presently.” When he left them, Ḥusayn said to Ibn al-Zubayr, “It seems to me that their tyrant has perished.” Ibn al-Zubayr answered, “I think the same.”

Ḥusayn then rose, took his retainers with him, came to the governor’s door, and asked permission to enter; permission was granted. He entered alone, seating his followers at the door and telling them, “If you hear anything alarming, come in.” He greeted al-Walīd and sat down; Marwān was beside him. Al-Walīd handed him the letter and announced Muʿāwiyah’s death. Ḥusayn said, “We belong to Allah and to Him we return. May Allah have mercy on Muʿāwiyah and recompense you.” The governor then invited him to pledge allegiance. Ḥusayn replied, “Someone like me does not pledge in secret, nor do I think that would satisfy you. Rather, when the people have gathered, summon us along with them and the matter will be decided publicly.” Al-Walīd—who preferred a peaceful outcome—said, “Go in Allah’s name until you return to us with the people assembled.”

Marwān said to al-Walīd, “By Allah, if he leaves you without pledging this very hour, bloodshed between you and him will surely increase. Detain him; do not let him depart until he pledges, or else strike off his head.” Ḥusayn arose and said, “Son of the blue-eyed woman, will you kill me? By Allah, you lie and sin!” He then withdrew to his house.

Marwān said to al-Walīd, “By Allah, you will never see him again.” Al-Walīd replied, “By Allah, O Marwān, I would not wish to possess the whole world and all it contains if the price were to kill Ḥusayn. Glory be to Allah! Should I kill—"