THE STORY OF MUKHTAR
EPISODE 1
HUSNA: (PRETTY PREGNANT)
ABU OBAIDA:
SAFIYA:
OTHER SISTER:
PROPS: HOME SCENE, TAIF-MOUNTAINOUS BACKGROUND
SETTING: A HOME
NARRATOR: You are about to watch the enactment of a popular lesson marked in the Islamic History. "The role of Mukhtar As Thaqafi after the event of Kerbala. This play is based on the book "Mukhtar" by Dr. Mahmood Datoo.
The call of Halmin Nasirin Yansuruna, Hal Min Mughisin Yughisuna that echoed on the plains of Kerbala on that fateful day continues to resonate to this day. In the past 14 centuries many have risen to answer this call against oppression and tyranny. Mukhtar was one such personality who took upon himself to avenge the perpetrators, rising to this last call of help from Imam Hussain.
[CURTAIN OPENS]
NARRATOR: Abu Obaida Masood As-Thaqafi and his family live in the city of Taif. Taif is located within a valley in a mountainous range in Hijaaz. The year is 1 AH
[2 small girls SAFIYA and SISTER playing]
[HUSNA (mother) sitting on a stool with head bent down.]
[Walks in: ABU OBAIDA (father)]
ABU O: Ya allah, ya allah
SAFIYA: Baba, baba please come and play with me, please please please Baba
ABU O: Safiya wait my child, go play with your sister. I will play with you later let me first speak to your mother.
ABU O: Assalamu Alaikum Husna
HUSNA: [replies very softly still looking down] Wa Alaykumus Salam
ABU O: What's wrong Husna? I've noticed that you have been a little upset for the past 2 days. You know you should not be upset in your pregnancy, it will affect our child.
HUSNA: [looks up at her husband stands up, puts her hand on her stomach] I've had 2 strange dreams O Abu Obeida, two very unusual dreams. In my first dream, I saw a horse (raises her hand and forms a shape in the air) a beautiful horse, coming down from the sky. On the horse, I saw a rider who comes to me and congratulates me for a brave son that I am going to have.
HUSNA: [while looking questioningly/strangely at her husband continues] In my second dream last night, I saw the same horse rider descending from the sky who congratulates me on the actual birth of a boy who would be a firm follower of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), the AhlulBayt, and the avenger of Imam Hussain (a.s.)'s killers and enemies.
ABU O: That sounds like a wonderful dream to me! I'd be happy to have a "basharat" like that. O Umm-Safiya, why don't you go and rest and Allah will take care of us all!
[CURTAIN CLOSES]
[THE CAST EXITS]
NARRATOR: The following day Husna gives birth to Mukhtar.
The Historical Background of Mukhtar: Due to the fact that Mukhtar successfully avenged the enemies of Imam Hussain (a.s.), there were many false accounts and distortions of his life at the time- such as he was from a "low" family, not to be respected. However, contrary to these allegations, Mukhtar belonged to the tribe of the Banu Hawazin and many important women who were married into the Prophet's family came from this tribe, such as the Prophet's wife, Maimuna, Imam Ali's wife Ummul Baneen, mother of Hazrat Abbas and Laila, wife of Imam Hussein (a.s.) and the mother of Ali Akbar.
Mukhtar's sister Safiya, got married to Abdullah Omar, who was a very influential person. He was the son of the second "so-called" Khalifa. Ironically, Mukhtar's other sister was married to Umar Sa'ad, The Commander-in Chief of Yazeed's army in Kerbala.
SCENE TWO – MUKHTAR IS IMPRISONED IN AL-TAMURA (Dungeon in Kufa)
CAST:
MUKHTAR:
PRISONERS-KAFELA:
GUARD 1:
GUARD 2:
RUDE GUARD:
MALE PRISONERS @ TAMURA-few guys?
PROPS: DARK SCENE, WIRED MESH (LATTICE LIKE) CANNON BALL, CHAINS, ROPES, SWORDS, RED SASHES, 2 BLACK KAFTANS, DISMEMBERED HEAD/MASK
SETTING: DARK DUNGEON, PEOPLE HUDDLED TOGETHER.
[MANY PRISONERS SITTING TOGETHER WITH THEIR HEADS AND BACKS BENT]
[CURTAIN OPENS]
NARRATOR: The year is 60 A.H, Mukhtar resides in the city of Kufa. Muslim Bin Aqeel, Imam Hussain's cousin and ambassador arrives in Kufa and stays at Mukhtar's place. Mukhtar is the first person to pay homage to Muslim. Mukhtar leaves the city of Kufa to raise an army of supporters for Imam Hussain after Muslim's arrival in Kufa. While he is away from Kufa, Muslim is murdered. When Mukhtar hears about the death of Muslim bin Aqeel, he returns to Kufa and on the way back is confronted with some soldiers of Ubaydullah bin Ziyaad who were guarding all the borders of the city of Kufa. A battle breaks out and Mukhtar kills some of the soldiers. This eventually leads to his capture by Ubaidullah bin Ziyaad and he is thrown into the infamous prison called Al-Tamura where all the other Shia supporters of Imam Hussain are also imprisoned.
[GUARD 1 pokes at the prisoners of Al-Tamura huddled together]
GUARD 1: Move! Move!
[PRISONERS GROAN]
GUARD 1: Quiet! SHHHH, keep quiet!
[GUARD 2 runs in from outside]
GUARD 2: Hurry! Hurry! Bring Mukhtar Al-Thaqafi upstairs now! Hurry up! Ibne Ziyad has ordered that he should be taken up to see the parade!
[GUARD 1 and GUARD 2 again push and shove the Al-Tamura prisoners]
[RUDE GUARD goes over to MUKHTAR and drags him. A ball and chain hanging from MUKHTAR'S foot]
RUDE GUARD [laughs viciously]: HAHAHA! So YOU are the lover of Hussein! Come see your "brave" master and his friends and family! [laughs]
[The Kafela from Kerbala along with the head of Imam Hussain are being paraded in front of the Cage/Grid/ Wires]
[GUARDS are being abusive. GUARDS are smiling. Prisoners of Al-Tamura are shocked.]
[MUKHTAR looks through the wires: shows feelings of disgust and grief.]
[GUARDS move away.].....[Only MUKHTAR is peering through the wires, appearing distraught & helpless.]
MUKHTAR: I promise myself I will NOT rest until I have avenged the perpetrators of Kerbala!
[CURTAIN CLOSES]
NARRATOR: The prison of Al-Tamura is a dungeon 75 feet below ground level. Mukhtar is kept in an extreme corner so as to even deny him any fresh air from the opening of the door. There are forty guards who patrol the dungeon in two shifts.
With Mukhtar there are approximately 4,000 to 5,000 other Shias imprisoned at Al-Tamura. Even though most Shias at the time do not openly declare their faith, Mukhtar does not keep his faith a secret, and publicly proclaims his love for the Ahlul-Bait.
SCENE THREE – MUKHTAR MEETS MAITHAM-E-TAMMAR
CAST:
MUKHTAR:
MAITHAM–E–TAMAAR:
PROPS: ROPE, CHAINS. SAME DUNGEON
SETTING: SAME DUNGEON. ABSENT OF GUARDS
[CURTAIN OPENS]
NARRATOR: Back in the dungeon, the atrocities towards Mukhtar increase because of his open proclamation of love for the family of the Holy Prophet. Mukhtar's hands & waist are chained. Unlike the other prisoners, Mukhtar's leg is chained to a heavy cannon ball which would require 20 people to lift!
Coincidently Mukhtar meets a companion of Imam Ali (a.s.) who was also imprisoned at Al-Tamura.
MT: Salaam-Alaykum, Mukhtar!
M [looks up]: Wa alaykumus Salaam, Maitham. May Allah bless you and peace be upon the Prophet of Allah and Imam Ali and his children. Brother, we are in the same predicament. [His voice gets desperate] I NEED to get out of the prison in Kufa. I have vowed to avenge the killers of Imam Hussein (a.s.). How will I and you and all of these people ever get out of this prison? [Shows some emotion]
MT: Mukhtar, please, don't anguish yourself. My Mawla, Imam Ali (a.s.) the master of the universe, had taught me "ILMUL BALAYA WAL MANAYA," which is "the knowledge of dream interpretation" and predicting some future events.
M: How can I not be distressed and upset? I need to get out and avenge the killers of my Mawla Hussain...........!
MT [interrupts; holds MUKHTAR by his arms]: Listen to me my brother. Listen very carefully. You, Mukhtar, WILL be released from this prison. And your wish to avenge the killers of Imam Hussain WILL BE fulfilled.
M [looks up; his eyes eyes brighten up; raises his hands in prayer]" Alhamdulillah, May Allah bless you, O Maitham-e-Tammar!
[They embrace]
[CURTAIN CLOSES]-NARRATION IS LONG TO ALLOW SET UP IN NEXT SCENE
NARRATOR: Mukhtar is released from the prison due to the intervention of his brother-in-law Abdullah Omar. Abdullah Omar lives in Medina, and is a VERY influential person due to his lineage – he was after all the son of the "so-called" second Khalifa Omar. Safiya coerces her husband to write to Yazeed in Sham so that he would issue a decree stating her brother Mukhtar's release from Al Tamura. When he received the verdict, Ubaidallah bin Ziyaad does not dare oppose Yazeed's order. He has no choice but to release Mukhtar, even though he recognizes that the release of Mukhtar from Al-Tamura will eventually be the cause of his downfall.
A blacksmith is ordered to cut of Mukhtar's chains; his wounds are attended to by a doctor. (It is said that Mukhtar's one eye had turned blind because the guards had hit him when he refused to salute to Ibne Ziyaad in the presence of the other Chiefs.) He is then brought to Ubaidullah bin Ziyaad. Mukhtar is ordered to leave Kufa within 3 days or he will be imprisoned again.
SCENE FOUR – DEATH OF YAZEED (BAZAAR SCENE)
CAST:
MAN 1
MAN 2
MAN 3
COFEE SELLER & EXTRAS
PROPS: BAZAAR SCENE, VENDORS, WARES, COFFEE SET, BRIGHTLY COLORED SCARVES, FRUITS, SMALL TABLES
SETTING: A BUSY BAZAAR
[CURTAIN OPENS]
NARRATOR: The year is 64 A.H.
[MAN 1 AND MAN 2 talking, other people in bazaar and stalls]
[Enter M3, whispers something in M1's ears]
M1 [loudly]: Alhamdulillah! Yazeed bin Muawiyah has died!
M2: Not so loud!
M1: Who do you fear now? One of the worst enemies of the Ahlul-Bait has finally died!
M2: Who killed him? Are you sure he's dead?
M3: Yessssssssss, Yazeed, while on his hunting trip spotted a handsome deer the like of which he had never seen before. He ordered his group to hold back and tried to hunt the deer alone.
M1: What happened? Did someone kill him??
M3: No one knows! He did not return for two days. When the bodyguards went searching for him, they saw his horse and his THIGH WRAPPED IN HIS CLOTHES, dangling from the horse...
M1 [recites ayah]: It is just like it is said in the Quran! "And let not those who disbelieve think that Our granting them respite is better for their soul; We grant them respite only that they may add to their sin; and they shall have a disgraceful chastisement." May Allah curse Yazeed until eternity!
[CURTAIN CLOSES]
NARRATOR: At the time of Yazeed's death, Ubaidallah bin Ziyaad was not in Kufa. Since he was the Governor of 2 cities, Kufa and Basra, he would alternate his time within the year between the two cities.
Upon the news of Yazeed's death (in the year 64 A.H.) the Shias gain confidence and since Ubaidallah was not in Kufa, the non-Shias join the Shias to revolt against Ibne Ziyaad's despotic and tyrannical rule.
His palace is taken over, and the gates of the infamous prison of Al-Tamura, which was housing the Shia prisoners are thrown open. The prisoners are released and come to know of the cruelty on the family of the Holy Prophet and the massacre at Kerbala in detail. They are deeply grieved and feel remorse
SCENE FIVE – MUKHTAR GETS THE CONSENT OF IMAM ZAINUL ABIDEEN.
CAST:
MUKHTAR:
MOHAMMED HANAFIYA:
4TH IMAM:
PROPS:
TASBIH
CHAIRS
RUGS/CARPET
SETTING: MEDINA BACKDROP
[CURTAIN OPENS]
4th IMAM sitting, covered in robes, with Tasbih in hand.]
NARRATOR: Mukhtar leaves Kufa and goes to Medina to meet with Imam Zainul Abideen to seek his permission and blessings for his upcoming mission. He first meets with Mohammed Hanafiya, the son of Imam Ali (a.s.) and half brother of Imam Hussain (a.s.)
[ENTER: MH & M]
[4th IMAM stands]
MH & M: Assalamun Alaykum, O Imam of our Time.
IMAM: Wa alaykumus salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.
MH: My Imam, with me is Mukhtar Ibne Abu Obaida Thaqafi and I am sure you are aware of his intentions. He has vowed to avenge the atrocities done to your father, his family and companions
IMAM: Yes, Uncle, I am fully aware of Mukhtar's intentions. Avenging the killers of my father and the Shuhada of Kerbala is a right and Wajib for everyone to perform. I cannot perform it myself at this time because of the political situation.
M: I understand my Imam.
IMAM: I am very pleased to see you have been released from the prison. I have to look at the interest of spreading Islam and be a guide to those who are my followers at this time. However, I leave this matter in my Uncle Mohammed Hanafiya's hands and you, Mukhtar, have my full blessings.
M & MH: Shukran
IMAM: Tafadhul lil ghadaa, please join us for dinner
[CURTAIN CLOSES]
NARRATOR: With the implicit permission of Imam Zainul Abideen, Mohammed Hanafiya consents to Mukhtar's mission, acting as the Imam's power of attorney. Mukhtar now sets out on his mission of avenging the death of Imam Hussain (a.s.)! Before Mukhtar can start his mission he realizes that he has to find a group of ardent supporters-the task ahead was too big for him to handle alone.
There were five other groups that assembled together to revolt against the Ummayid rule due to the massacre at Kerbala...Each of these groups had the same underlying reason but different political associations!
SCENE SIX – SULAIMAN SUARD KHUZAI'S MEETING
CAST:
SULAYMAN SURAD KHUZAI:
MAN 1:
MAN 2:
CROWD
PROPS: FLAGS, ALAMS, BANNERS "ALAA SIRATUL HUSSAIN" &"
ON THE PATH OF HUSSAIN"
SETTING: INSIDE OF KHUZAI'S HOUSE
[CURTAIN OPENS]
[SSK has white hair, his back is slightly bent and he appears to be 90 years old. There is a crowd of people standing/sitting on the floor.]
[Computerized noises]
NARRATOR: Sulayman Surad Khuzai is about 90 years old. He has been a companion of the Prophet and Imam Ali (a.s.). History reports that the Holy Prophet had given him this name for his birth name was Yassar. SSK fought in the battle of Siffeen and it was from his house that the first letters of support were sent out to Imam Hussain calling him to come to Kufa
SSK [walking back and forth]: O my Brothers! We have failed! WOE BE UPON US! Yes! We have failed our Imam! We are the ones who invited Imam Hussain (a.s.) to Kufa and then we were not able to help him.
SSK [raises his hands]: Yes! Yes I know we had our reasons! Either we were imprisoned or we could not leave the city of Kufa!
MAN 1 [stands & speaks up from the crowd]: BUT NOW THE TIME HAS COME!
SSK: YES! The time has come to avenge the blood of Imam Hussain (a.s.). [makes fist to show strength] We have control of Ubaidallah's palace! We have to go after him now!
MAN 2 [stands to face the crowd]: We will avenge the blood of Imam Hussain!
[CROWD starts chanting, progressively getting louder and louder until it becomes a mob scene.]
CROWD (Alternating to chant in Arabic/English): ALAA SIRATUL HUSSAIN/ON THE PATH OF HUSSAIN
[CURTAIN CLOSES]
NARRATOR: Sulayman Surad Khuzai recruits more people. History records that up to 16,000 Muslims join him to revolt against the Umayyids. This group becomes known as the "Tawabbun" or the "Penitents" – the people who feel sorry and remorseful.
Eager to fight, the "Tawwabun" first went to the grave of Imam Hussein (a.s.) and wept for their Mawla in Kerbala. They then headed for Shaam. In the meantime, Ubaidullah Ibn Ziyad formed an army of 8,000 soldiers to combat them. The two armies met at a place called "Aynal-Warda", a place on the border of Damascus and Iraq. In this fierce battle, Sulayman Surad Khuzai is killed. Rifah bin Shaddad took over and later withdrew his army and headed back to Kufa.
SCENE 7 – MUKHTAR BECOMES GOVERNOR OF KUFA
CAST:
MUKHTAR:
ABDALLAH KAMIL:
GUARD 1:
GUARD 2:
PROPS: TABLE, HIGH CHAIR/MIMBAR, BLACK SASHES, PULPIT
SETTING: MASJID E KUFA
[CURTAIN OPENS]
[MUKHTAR sits on a chair with ABDULLAH KAMIL standing ]
NARRATOR: While there are many who are remorseful over the massacre at Kerbala and revolt against the Omayyid rule, most of the time they are reduced to nothing by the large armies of the Umayyad Dynasty. Mukhtar on the other hand seeks a political position for his upcoming mission. After several fights and clashes with the opposition, on 17th Rabiul Awwal 66 AH, Mukhtar finally becomes the Governor of Kufa. He had tremendous help from Ibrahim Malik e Ashtar in pursuing his mission of becoming the governor. Ibrahim's father, Malike Ashtar was the Commander-in-Chief of Imam Ali's army. It is now 5 years since the massacre at Kerbala.
[MUKHTAR moves toward the pulpit.]
MUKHTAR: In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
I will conform to Allah's Book and to his Prophet's Sunnah. I will take revenge on Imam Hussain's killers. I will fight against those who have broken Allah's laws. I will defend the weak against the strong.
Abdullah Kamil! [MUKHTAR turns and looks at Abdallah Kamil] I am giving you complete authority to blockade Kufa's borders tight so nobody can go out or come in without passing our soldiers. Remember Abdullah, ALL the borders of Kufa MUST remain shut!
A.KAMIL: Yes, I will make sure all borders are closed right away!
MUKHTAR: Every perpetrator of Kerbala is going to be caught and brought to justice. If someone is caught who was in Kerbala and denies having committed any atrocities and provides two reliable witnesses, he will be released. However, the excuse that "I was under orders" will not be accepted. Every person who was in the land of Kerbala had a chance to change sides, and if they chose not to side with my Imam Hussain (a.s.), they will be punished!
[CURTAIN CLOSES]
SCENE EIGHT – PERPETRATORS AND TRIALS
CAST:
MUKHTAR:
ABDALLAH KAMIL:
WOMAN FROM CROWD:
1 GUARD:
11 PERPETRATORS:
1. ABDALLAH ASAD
2. MALIK E BASHIR
3. NAAFEE BIN MALIK
4. KHOOLI
5. GOOD WIFE (SYRIAN)
6. BAD WIFE (KUFAN)
7. Leader of 10 LEADERS
8. SINAAN BIN ANAS
9. HURMALA BIN KAHIL
10.UMAR SA'D
11.SHIMR
PROPS: SMALL STOOL, OVEN, TRIFOLD, RED BULB, DISMEMBERED HEAD/MASK, BLACK SASHES, HIGH CHAIR/MIMBAR
SETTING: MUKHTAR'S COURT
NARRATOR: With the borders of Kufa blocked tight, the local people could not move out freely limiting the escape of the convicts. The faithful friends of Mukhtar like Abdallah Kaamil and his men bring in the perpetrators one by one as they are caught. Mukhtar sets up a court where each perpetrator is tried. Mukhtar asks each one of them to narrate what atrocities they committed. No second-hand accounts were accepted in Mukhtar's court. He wanted each perpetrator to disclose the crime committed in Kerbala on Imam Hussein (a.s.), his family and his companions. The trials took place almost one year after Mukhtar became the Khalifa
[CURTAIN OPENS]
[MUKHTAR is seated on a High Chair. There is a crowd assembled. The perpetrators are being brought in by the guards.]
[ENTER: GUARD with AA & MB]
GUARD: Your Honor, I have with me my first catch – Abdallah Assad & Maalik Bashir
MUKHTAR: What crime did you commit Abdallah Assad in Kerbala?
AA: I burnt the tents of the family of Hussain. When the ladies ran from one burning tent, I followed them and burnt the next tent...there were so many small children trying to run away from the flames screaming and shouting in panic.....yes I burnt all the tents one by one until there were no tents left. Also I robbed Hussain's turban when he lay on the battleground
MUKHTAR: And you Maalik Bashir, what did you do in Kerbala?
MB: ...and I, and I, I robbed his sword. [Looks down and sobs]...I took it before anyone else stole it...I knew Hussain's sword would fetch a big price and I wanted to sell it
MUKHTAR [raises his hand to direct them to be moved]: Take them out of here! Cut their hands and legs; those hands and legs were disrespectful to my Imam (a.s.)!!! And make sure that they die a death of agony!
GUARD: Naafee Bin Malik
[ENTER: NBM]
[MUKHTAR looks at him in silence]
GUARD: Say, Say what did you do in Kerbala?
NBM: I was the Commando of Umar Sa'ad's army. I was in charge of the River Euphrates' banks. My job was to ensure that no drop of water reached Hussain's camp. [pauses, crowd sobbing] Also...when Abbas was returning with the water, I was the one that ordered an arrow be aimed at the water bag so no water would reach the tents of Hussain!
CROWD: Hai Sakina! Hai Abbas! (>< 2) plus computerized sobbing
[NAWHA]
MUKHTAR [tears in his eye, turns his face away]: Take him out! Execute him immediately!
[ENTER: ABDULLAH KAMIL with KHOOLI and his 2 WIVES]
AK: Khalifa Mukhtar! Here is Khooli and his two wives!
MUKHTAR: Why did you bring his wives Abdullah?
AK: Mukhtar, you need to listen to their story.
[CURTAIN CLOSES]
NARRATOR: We will take you back to the year 61 AH. When the caravan from Kerbala was en-route to Kufa with the women, children and Imam ZA in chains & ropes, all the severed heads of the martyrs were also traveling on lances alongside them. The severed heads were always safe-guarded because they would fetch the ransom in money or political positions when finally delivered to Yazeed in his capital in Shaam. Upon reaching the city of Kufa, Khooli brought the head of Imam Hussain (a.s.) to his house.
[CURTAIN OPENS]
[SYRIAN WIFE sitting on a stool.]
[ENTER: KUFAN WIFE. She wears colorful clothes; singing or humming and wiggling her body in joy.]
[SYRIAN WIFE looks up at her.]
KUFAN WIFE: So, is Hussain still your Imam? Do you not realize that he has been killed and tortured? Do you not see that Yazeed has defeated him?
SYRIAN WIFE: Stop this blasphemous talk you wretched woman! Don't say those awful things! [begins to cry] O may Allah keep my Imam safe!
KW: So you don't believe me huh! Have a look at the hot pit and find your Imam there!
SW [Stands and goes over to the pit and brings out the covered head. Puts her head to it and cries and laments]: O my Imam, is this what Yazeed has done to you! And my husband Khooli has been abusing and torturing your sacred head!
KW [Walks over]: O! not just that, Khooli is my hero! He will get a grand reward from Yazeed. Do you know that he was in charge of the archers and gave orders to fly arrows at the tent of Husain, HA HA, and do you know, he also stripped Sakina's veil! And pulled off her earrings! And then, and then –
SW [Cries]: STOP! You evil woman!
KW: And then, you know your other Imam, the son of Hussain, well, Khooli rolled him off his bed and your Imam couldn't do anything because he was sick!
SW [still crying]: That's enough! I can't bear this anymore!
KW: O and you didn't hear the best part! He also stole his covers and not only that he was the one who stripped your Lady Zainab's veil.
SW: [Cries uncontrollably]
KW: And he was the one who raised Hussain's head on a lance!
[CROWD is heard crying-Computerized?]
[CURTAIN CLOSES]
NARRATOR: Khooli's Syrian wife had been living in taqaiyya, like many other Shia, she did not proclaim her love for the Ahlul bayt openly. The political climate was so insecure that most people remained in Taqaiyya. The Syrian wife was a true lover of the Ahlul-Bait and knew that the time was just right for her to come out of Taqaiyya. When she heard of Mukhtar's plan to avenge each and every perpetrator of the Kerbala massacre, she gave away her husband & his Kufian wife to the soldiers of Mukhtar.
[CURTAIN REOPENS and the Court Scene continues with Khooli and the 2 wives.]
[CROWD is crying]
MUKHTAR: Cut Khooli's hands and legs and then throw him alive into the fire to burn to death. As for the Kufian wife – dismember her body and then cut those limbs into small pieces.... And as for the Syrian wife, give her money and set her free.
[CROWD reaches to attack them as they EXIT with stones.]
[ENTER: GUARDS with 10 men]
GUARD: These are the leaders from Ibne Ziyaad's army.
MUKHTAR: What did you all do in Kerbala?
MAN 1 (FROM THE 10): When everybody from the army of Hussein was killed, it was us!.... It was us who got on our horses and trampled Hussain's body along with the rest of his family and companions. We were in charge of this task after all the corpses were beheaded!
MUKHTAR: Tie them and pin them to the ground alive, then trample them with wild horses until they die an agonizing death. [Mukhtar puts his head down-sobbing loudly.] O my Imam, what atrocities these people committed against you!
[ENTER: ABDULLAH KAMIL with the head of Hakim Tufail.]
AK: This is the head of Hakim Tufail. He was the one who killed my Abbas [Cries.]
MUKHTAR: Why didn't you bring him alive?
AK: I had arrested him and as we were coming toward you, a crowd of people ran towards him angrily and killed him! [EXIT AK]
[ENTER: A group of people with SINAAN.]
GUARD: Here is Sinaan Bin Anas. He escaped from Kufa thinking we would give him refuge!
MUKHTAR: O Sinaan you wretched soul. Which one of your crimes are you going to tell us about?
SINAAN [proudly]: I still remember how Hussain was trying to cover his belt that I was after. This was during the last moments of his life. For some reason, Hussain kept covering his belt with his hands as if there was something precious in it. I wanted that belt and I knew I would get it no matter what. When Hussain wouldn't take his hands off the belt, I cut off his hands and stole his belt!
MUKHTAR: Sinaan, did you know that Sayyada Fatema, his mother, had sewn this belt for my Imam [Cannot hide his emotion.]
[SINAN looks down!]
MUKHTAR: Cut off his fingers, one at a time, then cut off his wrists, then his elbows, followed by his arms, then his legs and finally throw him into fire until he is burnt to death.
[ENTER: ABDALLAH KAAMIL with HURMALA]
AK: Here is Hurmala Bin Kaahil!
MUKHTAR: Hurmala! My Imam Zainul Abideen has asked his companion Minhal repeatedly if and when you will be caught! Tell us Hurmala. Tell us your atrocities in Kerbala!
HURMALA: It was my arrow that pierced the water mushk of Abbas.
WOMAN FROM CROWD: Hai Sakina! Hai Pyas! (><2)
MUKHTAR: And Hurmala, what else did you use your arrows for?
HURMALA: I fired a three-pronged arrow at the tender neck of Hussain's 6-month old baby Ali Asgher! [Hurmala starts to cry]
MUKHTAR: What good are these tears that did not make your heart humble? Hurmala didn't you have a heart? Hurmala, didn't the arrow weight more than my Imam's little Ali Asgher!?
WOMAN FROM CROWD: [Screams loudly and becomes unconscious]
[CROWD cries loudly-computerized]
[NAWHA ye to bataade ai Hurmala...]
MUKHTAR: Hurmala did you not also fire an arrow at my Imam that caused him to fall to the ground from his horse?
HURMALA [nods his head]: Yes, I did, I was the cause of Hussain's fall!
MUKHTAR: Dismember his hands and feet and shower him with arrows until he dies.
[MUKHTAR puts his head down on the arm of the chair and cries – sobbing and crying in the CROWD heightens.]
NARRATOR: Like Sinaan Bin Anas, the killer of Imam Hussain, SHIMR ZIL JAWSHEN attempted to escape Kufa but he was tracked down and brought to Mukhtar.
[Abdallah Kaamil bringing Shimr (looking bloody) in to the court by the collar.]
MUKHTAR: "Shimr! What did you do Shimr! Was it not you who killed my Mawla?!"
SHIMR: Yes! Yes! It was me! I sat on the chest of Hussein when he fell off his horse. Hussain was still alive when I held him by his hair and I slit his throat with my sword.
MUKHTAR: How will face the Holy Prophet and Hassain's mother on the day of Judgement? What did Hussain tell you as you beheaded him?
SHIMR: He spoke with me as he turned his face towards the camp of his women & children, but I did not care for his words because I was promised the Governship of Rai
[NAWHA (Khanjer qareeb, zaanu e qaatil qareeb hai)]
MUKHTAR: what else did you do on that day when my Imam was so deserted?
SHIMR: I slapped his daughter Sakina when she was crying for her father
MUKHTAR: Execute him! Before you execute him, keep him thirsty and hungry....and make sure he suffers a painful death....Take him out of here!
NARRATOR: Umar Sa'd attempts to escape from Kufa but fails. He then tries to seek protection with several influential people including his wife who was Mukhtar's sister so that Mukhtar would not arrest him. He is finally arrested.
[ENTER: GUARD]
GUARD: My Master, here is Umar Sa'd, the Commander-in-Chief of Yazeed's army.
[CROWD becomes wild/uncontrollable. Throws stones. GUARDS try to control them.]
MUKHTAR [raises his hands to calm them down and address Sa'd]: Uskut, tafadhel uskut, please stay calm
[Continues] So Umar Sa'd, how can I even ask what you did. Wasn't the whole army under your command?
SA'AD:[Nods his head.]
MUKHTAR: Tell us what YOU did in Kerbala.
SA'AD [haughtily]: I was in charge of the whole army. Khooli, Shimr, Sinaan, Hurmala were all under my command. I was the one who shot the first arrow towards Hussain's camp. I was the one who ordered to ambush Ali Akbar. I was the one who ordered to trample the bodies.... [PAUSES]
[CROWD cries, MUKHTAR cries]
SA'AD: I was the one who ordered that Hussain be surrounded from all sides; I was the one who burnt the tents and ordered the snatching of the veils... I called all the shots in Kerbala [PAUSES]
MUKHTAR [Stands and raises his hands]: That's enough! Umar Sa'ad that's enough! No punishment will justify your crime. However, I'll give you the most severe punishment. [PAUSES] Immerse him alive in boiling oil, then have his nails removed and gorge those eyes out! Then call all the lancers and swordsmen and probe him with their weapons until he dies.
O Hussain! O Hussain! O Hussain!
Ya Hussain Ya Hussain
[CURTAIN CLOSES]
NARRATOR: Haseen Bin Nameer; the Chief of Police in Kufa was killed by Ibrahim Malik Ashtar in a battle outside the city of Kufa. Haseen Bin Nameer was responsible for tracking down Muslim bin Aqeel, and arresting him. He was also the one who set up road blocks so that Imam Hussain could not enter Kufa and had to revert towards Iraq. In Kerbala, he was the head of the expert archers and he delivered the fatal lance at Ali Akbar.
Ibrahim Malik e Ashtar also goes after Ubaidallah Ziyaad, the mastermind of the Kerbala massacre, and has a one-on-one battle with him. Historians have recorded that when Ubaidallah had kept the severed head of Imam Hussain (a.s.) on his leg, a drop of sacred blood from Imam Hussain's head fell on his thigh, which caused a festering wound and gave off a foul odor. He would therefore wear heavy perfumery to neutralize this odor. This smell and the wearing of perfumery in a battlefield helped Ibrahim Malik Ashtar track Ubaidallah Ziyaad.
Ibrahim, after capturing Ubaidallah Ziyaad, had his kneecaps, legs and hip joints broken. He then had his hands cut, head shaved, eyes gorged out, lips and cheeks cut. Lances are finally probed into him until his whole body was cut into little pieces, Ubaidallah bin Ziyaad is killed on the 10th of Muharram 67 AH exactly 6 years to date after the Kerbala massacre.
Ibrahim Malik Ashtar then sent UZ's severed head to Mukhtar in Kufa. Mukhtar treated the head of UZ in the same manner as UZ had treated Imam Hussain's sacred head. He paraded it through the town for 3 days, mounted in on the same door of the Palace's courtyard for the public to see. Eyewitnesses say that they saw a snake slithering from UZ's mouth through the nose, nipping flesh as it went along.
[CURTAIN OPENS]
[KA'ABA in the background]
[Imam & Abdallah Kamil sitting]
NARRATOR [Continues]: Mukhtar then sends the head of UZ to Mohammed Hanafiya in Mecca. Coincidentally Imam Zainul Abideen (a.s.) was in Mecca at that same time. The date was 9th Rabiul Awwal 67 AH. AND for the first time after Kerbala a smile appears on the face of the Imam Zainab Abideen (a.s.)
[CURTAIN CLOSES]
FINALE
[Cast assembles for curtain call PLUS banner]
NARRATOR: Mukhtar is martyred on 15th Ramadhan 67 AH and he is buried in Kufa, near Masjid e Kufa behind the grave of Muslim bin Aqeel, the ambassador of Imam Hussain (a.s.) and the very first Shaheed of the Imam's mission
In the short time that Mukhtar was the governor of Kufa, from 17th Rabiul Awwal 66 AH to 15th Ramadhan 67 AH, he is reported to have brought approximately 18,000 perpetrators of Kerbala to justice!
The Holy Prophet had prophesized Mukhtar's birth and life mission to Husna and his struggle is testimony to this.
[Narrator joins for acknowledgements]
[CURTAIN OPENS]
[Acknowledgements by narrator on stage with cast members ONLY]
[CURTAIN CLOSES]
[CURTAIN OPENS FOR MATAM]
[Cast plus all the helpers-props, curtain etc NO BANNER]
[AAWO EK KAAM KARE]
[FINAL CURTAIN CLOSES]