Bayda

Bayda is a way station on the way from Kufa to Mecca where Imam Hussain stayed for a rest on his journey to Kufa. According to some sources, Imam delivered a speech before al-Hurr’s army at this station.

Location

It is located between Waqisa and Udhayb al-Hajanat and is a spacious land inhabited by the offspring of Yarbu’ Ibn Hanzalah.

Events

At al-Bayda, the Imam delivered a speech to al-Hurr's companions after having praised and glorified Allah. In it he said,

“O people! The Messenger of Allah has said, “If one sees an oppressive ruler, who makes lawful what Allah has made unlawful, and he does not get him to alter his conduct through something he does or says, it will be incumbent upon Allah to resurrect him in that ruler's company. These folks have upheld Satan and abandoned their obedience to the most Merciful One, demonstrating corruption and making mischief evident.

They idled the limits (set forth by Allah) and took to their own selves what belonged to others, prohibiting what Allah has permitted and permitting what He has prohibited. I am the best suitable person to change the situation. Your letters reached me, and so did some of your messengers who brought me your oath not to hand me over [to my foes] or to betray me.

If you, therefore, complete the terms of your oath of allegiance, you will achieve the right guidance, for I am al-Hussain son of ‘Ali and Fatima daughter of the Messenger of Allah. My soul is with yours, my family is with your families, and you have in me a model of conduct.

But if you do not, and if you violate your promise and renege in your oath of allegiance to me, then, by my life, it will not be the first time that you do so: you did so to my father, to my brother Imam al-Hasan, and to my cousin Muslim.

Deceived is whoever trusts you. Surely it is to the detriment of your own luck that you thus err, rendering your lot a loss. Whoever reneges, he, indeed, reneges against his own soul, and Allah shall suffice me for you, and peace be with you and the mercy and blessings of Allah”.

Source

• Abd al Razzaq al-Muqarram, Maqtal al-Hussain: Martyrdom Epic of Imam al-Hussain