Muslim ibn Aqeel

Who is Muslim ibn Aqeel?

Muslim ibn Aqeel Al-Hashimi was the son of Aqeel ibn Abu Talib and a member of the clan of Bani Hashim, thus, he is a cousin of Husayn ibn Ali. The people of Kufa called upon Husayn to overthrow the Umayyad dynasty who was on his way to Mecca for the Hajj pilgrimage. He wanted to confirm the loyalty of the people of Kufa, so he sent Muslim ibn Aqeel, a famous warrior, to Kufa to observe the situation. He sent a letter to Husayn confirming their loyalty, before knowing that the 30,000 followers that he gained would all betray him. He was executed by the newly installed governor, Ubaydallah ibn Ziyad, on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, 60 AH, and is buried at the back of Great Mosque of Kufa.