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MU'AWIYA'S PLAN FAILED 
Yazid son of Mu'awiya came to know about the beauty of Urainab, daughter of Ishaq who was the wife of the Qurayshite Abdullah bin Salam. Urainab, was the most beautiful and accomplished woman of her time and possessed enormous wealth. Yazid fell in love with her without having seen her. He lost all patience and mentioned the matter to Mu'awiya's favorite slave named Rafig. The slave informed Mu'awiya about this love and told him that his son was very keen to marry Urainab. Mu'awiya called Yazid and enquired from him about the matter. Yazid admitted that whatever Mu'awiya had been told was correct. Mu'awiya said: "Be calm and patient. Something will be done in this behalf". Yazid said: It is no use consoling me now because the matter is already finished. She has already been married. Mu'awiya said: My dear son! Keep the secret to yourself, because if it is divulged it will do you no good. God completes what He ordains and what has already happened cannot be helped.
Mu'awiya began thinking of solving the problem and meeting the wish of Yazid to marry Urainab. Abdullah son of Salam, the husband of Urainab was at that time the Governor of Iraq. Mu'awiya wrote a letter to him saying: "I have an urgent business with you. Please come and see me as early as possible. The matter is beneficial to you."
On receiving Mu'awiya's letter Abdullah proceeded to Syria at once and met Mu'awiya. The latter received him with great honor and respect. At that time Abu Darda and Abu Huraira, two companions of the prophet were also available in Damacus. Mu'awiya called for them and said to them: "Such and such daughter of mine is now of age and I am anxious to give away her hand in marriage. I think Abdullah son of Salam is a good man and I wish that she may marry him."
Both of them praised Mu'awiya for his intelligence and devoutness and said that whatever he had thought of was absolutely proper.
Mu'awiya said to them: "Both of you should meet Abdullah and mention the matter to him and find out his opinion about it. Although I have authorized my daughter to marry a man of her choice, but I am sure that she will like Abdullah bin Salam and will not refuse to marry him."
Abu Darda and Abu Huraira went to see Abdullah. In the meantime Mu'awiya went into his palace and said to his daughter: "Dear daughter! Just hear what I have to say. When Abu Darda and Abu Huraira come to you and tell you that I want to get you married to Abdullah bin Salam, you should say: "Of course, Abdullah is a good man and a near relative and of equal status with us. However, he has already married Urainab, daughter of lshaq and I am afraid that if I marry him I may also become jealous of her like all other women. If, in that event, I say something unbecoming about Abdullah I am afraid that I may invite the wrath of God by doing so. However, if Abdullah divorces Urainab I am agreeable to marry him".
When Abu Darda and Abu Huraira conveyed the Message of Mu'awiya to Abdullah bin Salam he was over joyed and told them to inform Mu'awiya that the proposal was acceptable to him. When they informed Mu'awiya of the developments he said to them: "As I have already told you I would like this marriage. However, I have authorized my daughter to marry a man of her own choice. You should, therefore, go to her and ask her whether she is ready to marry Abdullah bin Salam".
When they approached the girl she gave them the same reply, which Mu'awiya had taught her to give. They then conveyed her reply to Abdullah.
When Abdullah son of Salam came to know that it was not possible to marry Mu'awiya's daughter unless he divorced his wife he was overpowered by avarice and divorced Urainab. He said to Abu Darda and Abu Huraira: "Bear witness to the fact that I have divorced Urainab. You should inform Mu'awiya about this and also convey my proposal to him".
When they came to Mu'awiya and told him what had happened he said: "Oh! What has Abdullah done? Why has he divorced his wife? He should not have been so hasty. Had he waited for a few days might have arranged his marriage with my daughter without allowing things to come to such a pass? Anyhow, you should go now and ask my daughter whether she is agreeable to this marriage".
Abu Darda and Abu Huraira approached Mu'awiya's daughter once again and told her that Abdullah had divorced his wife. They also stated that Abdullah was a very noble-minded and competent person and enquired from her whether she was prepared to marry him.
Mu'awiya's daughter replied: "Abdullah no doubt enjoys a high position amongst the Quraysh. However, as you are aware marriage is not something trivial so that one may agree to it without seriously pondering over the matter. It is a contract for one's whole life. You gentlemen may, therefore go now. I shall think over the matter and give you a reply later."
Both of them blessed her and departed. They then went to Abdullah bin Salam and informed him about what the girl had said. Abdullah said: "All right. Let us wait. If it is not settled today, it will be settled tomorrow."
It was the talk of the town that Abdullah bin Salam had divorced his wife and had proposed to Mu'awiya's daughter. As all were aware of the cunning of Mu'awiya and the loose character of Yazid they blamed and censured Abdullah for having divorced his wife without first winning the consent of Mu'awiya's daughter.
After a few days Abdullah sent Abu Darda and Abu Huraira again to the daughter of Mu'awiya. They advised her to give a final reply where upon she said: "I am sure God has decided well for me, because He does not forsake one who relies upon Him. I have pondered over the matter and have come to the conclusion that my marrying Abdullah bin Salam will not be a successful one. I have also consulted my well-wishers in the matter. Some of them have approved the marriage but others have opposed it".
When Abdullah came to know about the reply, which had been given by Mu'awiya's daughter he became sure that he had been duped. This grieved him very much. The news spread was the talk of the town. The people blamed Mu'awiya for having defrauded Abdullah and making him divorces his wife so that she might later marry Yazid.
Mu'awiya was successful at the first stage of his scheme to fulfill the desire of his son but eventually the divine will frustrated his program. His plan failed owing to the interference by Hussain who had grown up on the pattern of life of his illustrious father. Helping the oppressed had become his second nature.
When the waiting period (Idda) of Urainab expired Mu'awiya sent Abu Darda to her to convey to her proposal for marriage on behalf of Yazid. Abu Darda left Damascus and reached Kufa. It so happened that Hussain son of Ali was also in Kufa at that time. Abu Darda considered it proper to pay his respects to the son of the prophet in the first instance. He, therefore, presented himself before the Imam. Imam Hussain enquired from him the reason for his visiting Kufa. Abu Darda informed him that he had been sent by Mu'awiya to propose to Urainab daughter of Ishaq on behalf of his son Yazid. He then related to the Imam in detail the events, which had already taken place. Imam Hussain said: "I also thought that Urainab would marry some other person and intended to propose to her after her "Idda" ended. Now that you have arrived here it will be better if you convey my proposal to her. She may choose whomsoever she likes. However, I am prepared to give her dower equal to that which Yazid has promised her."
Abu Darda promised to convey the Imam's message to Urainab. Then he took leave of Imam Hussain and reached her house. He said to her: "Madam! It was destined that Abdullah son of Salam should divorce you. You are not going to be a loser on this account. Yazid son of Mu'awiya and Hussain son of Ali wish to marry you. Both of them have conveyed their proposals to you through me. You may choose whomever you like."
Urainab kept quiet for some time and then said: "If some other person had brought these two proposals to me I would have called you for consultation and would have acted according to your suggestion. Now that you yourself have brought these proposals I leave the final decision to you."
Abu Darda replied: "It was my duty to convey the proposals to you, but you are yourself the best judge in the matter." Urainab said: "No; that is not so. I am your niece and cannot act in this matter without your advice."
When Abu Darda saw that she was bent upon obtaining his opinion he said: "I feel that the son of the prophet is a better choice." Urainab said: "I agree with you. Also I like him."
Imam Hussain then married Urainab and paid her the stipulated amount of dower.
When Mu'awiya came to know what had happened he was very angry and abused Abu Darda. Then he said to himself: "Abu Darda has not been at fault. It was my own mistake. If a person entrusts such a difficult task to a simpleton he must fail."
At the time of his departure for Damascus Abdullah bin Salam had entrusted a large sum of money to Urainab. Later when he divorced her and Mu'awiya's daughter also refused to marry him it became known to the people that Abdullah had been deceived by Mu'awiya and made to divorce his wife. This was a matter of disgrace for Mu'awiya and he held Abdullah responsible for it. He, therefore, dismissed him from service and stopped his stipend. Abdullah became penniless. He, therefore, returned to Iraq with the hope that he might get back from Urainab the money, which he had left with her. He was, however, afraid that she might decline to return the money on account of his misbehavior and for his divorcing her without a just cause.
After his return to Iraq he met Imam Hussain and said: "As you must be aware I was duped and made to divorce Urainab. While leaving for Damascus I left some money with her as a trust."
Then he praised Urainab much and said: "I shall be grateful if you speak to her and ask her to return that money to me. It is possible that with that amount in hand I may be saved from indigence."
Imam Hussain went to Urainab and said: "Abdullah bin Salam came to see me. He praised you very much for your honesty, which pleased me much. He also told me that he entrusted some money to you at the time of his departure for Damascus. It will be only proper that you should return that money to him because I think that what he has stated is correct."
Urainab replied: "It is true that he left some bags with me, but I don't know what they contain. They are still lying sealed as they were. I shall bring them to you and you may return the same to him."
Imam Hussain praised Urainab on hearing this and said: "Will it not be better if I call him here so that you may return the bags to him yourself?" Then he met Abdullah bin Salam and said to him: I have conveyed your message to Urainab. She admits your having left some bags with her; they are still lying sealed, as they were. It will be better if you come to Urainab and take back the bags from her.
Abdullah felt very much ashamed and said: "I would request you to make arrangements for the return of money to me." (i.e. I feel ashamed to face Urainab). Imam Hussain replied: "No. That cannot be. You should take back the money from her in the same manner in which you gave it to her."
He, therefore, brought Abdullah to his house and then said to Urainab: "Abdullah son of Salam has come and demands the things which he entrusted to you. Return the same to him in the same manner in which you took them from him."
Urainab brought the bags and placing them outside the curtain said to him: "Here it is what you entrusted to me." Abdullah thanked Urainab and praised her for her honesty. Imam Hussain then left the place leaving them alone. Abdullah broke the seal of the bag, took out some dinars from it and presented them to her requesting her to accept the same from him. Thereupon tears trickled from their eyes and they began to cry loudly. Imam Hussain heard the sound of their crying. He then re-entered the room and said with great kindness: "Just hear me. I call God to witness that I have divorced Urainab just now. I call God to witness that I did not marry her for the sake of her beauty or wealth. What I had desired was that it might become lawful for her to re-marry her first husband.
Thus Urainab became the wife of Abdullah bin Salam once again and Mu'awiya's scheme failed.
After re-marrying Urainab Abdullah said to her: "You should return the amount of dower which Imam gave you." She brought the money and gave it to Abdullah to give it to the Imam. However, Imam Hussain declined to accept the money and said: "The spiritual reward which I shall get in the Hereafter for this good deed is much better than worldly wealth."
DO YOU WANT TO STAY AWAY FROM SINS? A man came to Imam Hussain (a.s.) and said, "I frequently disobey Allah and cannot prevent myself from sins; therefore, please, give me an advice O son of the Prophet so that I may keep away from sins."
Imam: "Do five things and then commit sins as much as you want."
Sinner: "Please tell me what those five things are."
Imam: "(1) Do not eat from the provisions of Allah, and then do whatever you like."
Sinner: "Then what will I be able to eat because whatever there is in his universe is from Allah!"
Imam: "(2) Then leave the earth of Allah, and then do whatever you like."
Sinner: "O Imam, this is even more difficult than the first! If I leave the earth, then where would I live-all belongs to Allah."
Imam: "(3) Then find a place where Allah cannot see you, and then do whatever you like."
Sinner: "But, O Imam, nothing is hidden from Allah."
Imam: (4) Then do one thing, when the angel of death comes to you, keep him away from yourself, and then do whatever you like. And if you cannot do that, then lastly, (5) do not enter the Hell when God sends you into it. If you can do that, then go and commit whatever sins you like."
Sinner: "That's it, O son of the Prophet! From today, Allah will not find me in a situation which He dislikes."
Yazid son of Mu'awiya came to know about the beauty of Urainab, daughter of Ishaq who was the wife of the Qurayshite Abdullah bin Salam. Urainab, was the most beautiful and accomplished woman of her time and possessed enormous wealth. Yazid fell in love with her without having seen her. He lost all patience and mentioned the matter to Mu'awiya's favorite slave named Rafig. The slave informed Mu'awiya about this love and told him that his son was very keen to marry Urainab. Mu'awiya called Yazid and enquired from him about the matter. Yazid admitted that whatever Mu'awiya had been told was correct. Mu'awiya said: "Be calm and patient. Something will be done in this behalf". Yazid said: It is no use consoling me now because the matter is already finished. She has already been married. Mu'awiya said: My dear son! Keep the secret to yourself, because if it is divulged it will do you no good. God completes what He ordains and what has already happened cannot be helped.Mu'awiya began thinking of solving the problem and meeting the wish of Yazid to marry Urainab. Abdullah son of Salam, the husband of Urainab was at that time the Governor of Iraq. Mu'awiya wrote a letter to him saying: "I have an urgent business with you. Please come and see me as early as possible. The matter is beneficial to you."
On receiving Mu'awiya's letter Abdullah proceeded to Syria at once and met Mu'awiya. The latter received him with great honor and respect. At that time Abu Darda and Abu Huraira, two companions of the prophet were also available in Damacus. Mu'awiya called for them and said to them: "Such and such daughter of mine is now of age and I am anxious to give away her hand in marriage. I think Abdullah son of Salam is a good man and I wish that she may marry him."
Both of them praised Mu'awiya for his intelligence and devoutness and said that whatever he had thought of was absolutely proper.
Mu'awiya said to them: "Both of you should meet Abdullah and mention the matter to him and find out his opinion about it. Although I have authorized my daughter to marry a man of her choice, but I am sure that she will like Abdullah bin Salam and will not refuse to marry him."
Abu Darda and Abu Huraira went to see Abdullah. In the meantime Mu'awiya went into his palace and said to his daughter: "Dear daughter! Just hear what I have to say. When Abu Darda and Abu Huraira come to you and tell you that I want to get you married to Abdullah bin Salam, you should say: "Of course, Abdullah is a good man and a near relative and of equal status with us. However, he has already married Urainab, daughter of lshaq and I am afraid that if I marry him I may also become jealous of her like all other women. If, in that event, I say something unbecoming about Abdullah I am afraid that I may invite the wrath of God by doing so. However, if Abdullah divorces Urainab I am agreeable to marry him".
When Abu Darda and Abu Huraira conveyed the Message of Mu'awiya to Abdullah bin Salam he was over joyed and told them to inform Mu'awiya that the proposal was acceptable to him. When they informed Mu'awiya of the developments he said to them: "As I have already told you I would like this marriage. However, I have authorized my daughter to marry a man of her own choice. You should, therefore, go to her and ask her whether she is ready to marry Abdullah bin Salam".
When they approached the girl she gave them the same reply, which Mu'awiya had taught her to give. They then conveyed her reply to Abdullah.
When Abdullah son of Salam came to know that it was not possible to marry Mu'awiya's daughter unless he divorced his wife he was overpowered by avarice and divorced Urainab. He said to Abu Darda and Abu Huraira: "Bear witness to the fact that I have divorced Urainab. You should inform Mu'awiya about this and also convey my proposal to him".
When they came to Mu'awiya and told him what had happened he said: "Oh! What has Abdullah done? Why has he divorced his wife? He should not have been so hasty. Had he waited for a few days might have arranged his marriage with my daughter without allowing things to come to such a pass? Anyhow, you should go now and ask my daughter whether she is agreeable to this marriage".
Abu Darda and Abu Huraira approached Mu'awiya's daughter once again and told her that Abdullah had divorced his wife. They also stated that Abdullah was a very noble-minded and competent person and enquired from her whether she was prepared to marry him.
Mu'awiya's daughter replied: "Abdullah no doubt enjoys a high position amongst the Quraysh. However, as you are aware marriage is not something trivial so that one may agree to it without seriously pondering over the matter. It is a contract for one's whole life. You gentlemen may, therefore go now. I shall think over the matter and give you a reply later."
Both of them blessed her and departed. They then went to Abdullah bin Salam and informed him about what the girl had said. Abdullah said: "All right. Let us wait. If it is not settled today, it will be settled tomorrow."
It was the talk of the town that Abdullah bin Salam had divorced his wife and had proposed to Mu'awiya's daughter. As all were aware of the cunning of Mu'awiya and the loose character of Yazid they blamed and censured Abdullah for having divorced his wife without first winning the consent of Mu'awiya's daughter.
After a few days Abdullah sent Abu Darda and Abu Huraira again to the daughter of Mu'awiya. They advised her to give a final reply where upon she said: "I am sure God has decided well for me, because He does not forsake one who relies upon Him. I have pondered over the matter and have come to the conclusion that my marrying Abdullah bin Salam will not be a successful one. I have also consulted my well-wishers in the matter. Some of them have approved the marriage but others have opposed it".
When Abdullah came to know about the reply, which had been given by Mu'awiya's daughter he became sure that he had been duped. This grieved him very much. The news spread was the talk of the town. The people blamed Mu'awiya for having defrauded Abdullah and making him divorces his wife so that she might later marry Yazid.
Mu'awiya was successful at the first stage of his scheme to fulfill the desire of his son but eventually the divine will frustrated his program. His plan failed owing to the interference by Hussain who had grown up on the pattern of life of his illustrious father. Helping the oppressed had become his second nature.
When the waiting period (Idda) of Urainab expired Mu'awiya sent Abu Darda to her to convey to her proposal for marriage on behalf of Yazid. Abu Darda left Damascus and reached Kufa. It so happened that Hussain son of Ali was also in Kufa at that time. Abu Darda considered it proper to pay his respects to the son of the prophet in the first instance. He, therefore, presented himself before the Imam. Imam Hussain enquired from him the reason for his visiting Kufa. Abu Darda informed him that he had been sent by Mu'awiya to propose to Urainab daughter of Ishaq on behalf of his son Yazid. He then related to the Imam in detail the events, which had already taken place. Imam Hussain said: "I also thought that Urainab would marry some other person and intended to propose to her after her "Idda" ended. Now that you have arrived here it will be better if you convey my proposal to her. She may choose whomsoever she likes. However, I am prepared to give her dower equal to that which Yazid has promised her."
Abu Darda promised to convey the Imam's message to Urainab. Then he took leave of Imam Hussain and reached her house. He said to her: "Madam! It was destined that Abdullah son of Salam should divorce you. You are not going to be a loser on this account. Yazid son of Mu'awiya and Hussain son of Ali wish to marry you. Both of them have conveyed their proposals to you through me. You may choose whomever you like."
Urainab kept quiet for some time and then said: "If some other person had brought these two proposals to me I would have called you for consultation and would have acted according to your suggestion. Now that you yourself have brought these proposals I leave the final decision to you."
Abu Darda replied: "It was my duty to convey the proposals to you, but you are yourself the best judge in the matter." Urainab said: "No; that is not so. I am your niece and cannot act in this matter without your advice."
When Abu Darda saw that she was bent upon obtaining his opinion he said: "I feel that the son of the prophet is a better choice." Urainab said: "I agree with you. Also I like him."
Imam Hussain then married Urainab and paid her the stipulated amount of dower.
When Mu'awiya came to know what had happened he was very angry and abused Abu Darda. Then he said to himself: "Abu Darda has not been at fault. It was my own mistake. If a person entrusts such a difficult task to a simpleton he must fail."
At the time of his departure for Damascus Abdullah bin Salam had entrusted a large sum of money to Urainab. Later when he divorced her and Mu'awiya's daughter also refused to marry him it became known to the people that Abdullah had been deceived by Mu'awiya and made to divorce his wife. This was a matter of disgrace for Mu'awiya and he held Abdullah responsible for it. He, therefore, dismissed him from service and stopped his stipend. Abdullah became penniless. He, therefore, returned to Iraq with the hope that he might get back from Urainab the money, which he had left with her. He was, however, afraid that she might decline to return the money on account of his misbehavior and for his divorcing her without a just cause.
After his return to Iraq he met Imam Hussain and said: "As you must be aware I was duped and made to divorce Urainab. While leaving for Damascus I left some money with her as a trust."
Then he praised Urainab much and said: "I shall be grateful if you speak to her and ask her to return that money to me. It is possible that with that amount in hand I may be saved from indigence."
Imam Hussain went to Urainab and said: "Abdullah bin Salam came to see me. He praised you very much for your honesty, which pleased me much. He also told me that he entrusted some money to you at the time of his departure for Damascus. It will be only proper that you should return that money to him because I think that what he has stated is correct."
Urainab replied: "It is true that he left some bags with me, but I don't know what they contain. They are still lying sealed as they were. I shall bring them to you and you may return the same to him."
Imam Hussain praised Urainab on hearing this and said: "Will it not be better if I call him here so that you may return the bags to him yourself?" Then he met Abdullah bin Salam and said to him: I have conveyed your message to Urainab. She admits your having left some bags with her; they are still lying sealed, as they were. It will be better if you come to Urainab and take back the bags from her.
Abdullah felt very much ashamed and said: "I would request you to make arrangements for the return of money to me." (i.e. I feel ashamed to face Urainab). Imam Hussain replied: "No. That cannot be. You should take back the money from her in the same manner in which you gave it to her."
He, therefore, brought Abdullah to his house and then said to Urainab: "Abdullah son of Salam has come and demands the things which he entrusted to you. Return the same to him in the same manner in which you took them from him."
Urainab brought the bags and placing them outside the curtain said to him: "Here it is what you entrusted to me." Abdullah thanked Urainab and praised her for her honesty. Imam Hussain then left the place leaving them alone. Abdullah broke the seal of the bag, took out some dinars from it and presented them to her requesting her to accept the same from him. Thereupon tears trickled from their eyes and they began to cry loudly. Imam Hussain heard the sound of their crying. He then re-entered the room and said with great kindness: "Just hear me. I call God to witness that I have divorced Urainab just now. I call God to witness that I did not marry her for the sake of her beauty or wealth. What I had desired was that it might become lawful for her to re-marry her first husband.
Thus Urainab became the wife of Abdullah bin Salam once again and Mu'awiya's scheme failed.
After re-marrying Urainab Abdullah said to her: "You should return the amount of dower which Imam gave you." She brought the money and gave it to Abdullah to give it to the Imam. However, Imam Hussain declined to accept the money and said: "The spiritual reward which I shall get in the Hereafter for this good deed is much better than worldly wealth."
DO YOU WANT TO STAY AWAY FROM SINS?
A man came to Imam Hussain (a.s.) and said, "I frequently disobey Allah and cannot prevent myself from sins; therefore, please, give me an advice O son of the Prophet so that I may keep away from sins."Imam: "Do five things and then commit sins as much as you want."
Sinner: "Please tell me what those five things are."
Imam: "(1) Do not eat from the provisions of Allah, and then do whatever you like."
Sinner: "Then what will I be able to eat because whatever there is in his universe is from Allah!"
Imam: "(2) Then leave the earth of Allah, and then do whatever you like."
Sinner: "O Imam, this is even more difficult than the first! If I leave the earth, then where would I live-all belongs to Allah."
Imam: "(3) Then find a place where Allah cannot see you, and then do whatever you like."
Sinner: "But, O Imam, nothing is hidden from Allah."
Imam: (4) Then do one thing, when the angel of death comes to you, keep him away from yourself, and then do whatever you like. And if you cannot do that, then lastly, (5) do not enter the Hell when God sends you into it. If you can do that, then go and commit whatever sins you like."
Sinner: "That's it, O son of the Prophet! From today, Allah will not find me in a situation which He dislikes."
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