How Mu‘awiyah Imposed Yazid and Paved the Way for Karbala

How Mu‘awiyah Broke the Peace Treaty and Forced Yazid’s Bay‘ah

People are told that Yazid’s rule was normal “bay‘ah” and that the Ummah accepted him peacefully.

But when we open Sunni books, a very different picture appears.

This was not free shura.
This was not the Prophetic model.
This was not even the model of Abu Bakr and Umar.

Sunni sources show three stages:

Mu‘awiyah broke the peace treaty with Imam Hasan a.s.
Mu‘awiyah used money, governors, propaganda and threats to secure Yazid’s bay‘ah in his own lifetime.
When Yazid took power, his first concern was to force the same people who had refused, especially Imam Hussain a.s.
The peace treaty said Mu‘awiyah should not appoint anyone after him

Sunni source: Ibn Hajar al-Haytami, al-Sawa‘iq al-Muhriqah

Arabic:

وليس لمعاوية بن أبي سفيان أن يعهد إلى أحد من بعده عهدا بل يكون الأمر من بعده شورى بين المسلمين

English:

“Mu‘awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan has no right to appoint anyone after him; rather, the matter after him shall be shura among the Muslims.”

Reference:

Ibn Hajar al-Haytami, al-Sawa‘iq al-Muhriqah, vol. 2, p. 399, quoted by Banuri Dar al-Ifta.

So according to this Sunni-quoted treaty text, Mu‘awiyah had no right to make Yazid his successor.

Sunni source: Imam Hasan a.s had conditioned succession after Mu‘awiyah

Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani quotes in Fath al-Bari:

Arabic:

وذكر محمد بن قدامة في كتاب الخوارج بسند قوي إلى أبي بصرة أنه سمع الحسن بن علي يقول في خطبته عند معاوية إني اشترطت على معاوية لنفسي الخلافة بعده

English:

“Muhammad ibn Qudamah mentioned in Kitab al-Khawarij with a strong chain to Abu Basrah that he heard Hasan ibn Ali saying in his sermon before Mu‘awiyah: ‘I placed a condition upon Mu‘awiyah that the caliphate after him would be for me.’”

Reference:

Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, Fath al-Bari, Kitab al-Fitan, quoted by Banuri Dar al-Ifta.

Another report in Fath al-Bari says:

Arabic:

وبايع معاوية على أن يجعل العهد للحسن من بعده

English:

“He gave bay‘ah to Mu‘awiyah on the condition that succession after Mu‘awiyah would be for Hasan.”

Reference:

Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, Fath al-Bari, quoted by Banuri Dar al-Ifta.

So whether the condition was “after Mu‘awiyah, it returns to Imam Hasan a.s” or “after Mu‘awiyah, it returns to shura,” both versions destroy the legitimacy of Mu‘awiyah appointing Yazid.

Ibn Kathir admits Mu‘awiyah had promised the matter after him to Imam Hasan a.s

Arabic:

وقد كان معاوية لما صالح الحسن عهد للحسن بالأمر من بعده، فلما مات الحسن قوي أمر يزيد عند معاوية

English:

“When Mu‘awiyah made peace with Hasan, he had covenanted that the matter after him would be for Hasan. When Hasan died, the matter of Yazid became stronger with Mu‘awiyah.”

Reference:

Ibn Kathir, al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah, events of 56 AH.

This is very important.

Ibn Kathir is not a Shia historian. Yet he clearly records that Mu‘awiyah had made a covenant regarding Imam Hasan a.s. After Imam Hasan a.s died, Mu‘awiyah pushed Yazid.

This is the first betrayal: the treaty was pushed aside.

Mu‘awiyah started Yazid’s bay‘ah during his own lifetime

Ibn Kathir writes:

Arabic:

فلما مات زياد وكانت هذه السنة، شرع معاوية في نظم ذلك والدعاء إليه، وعقد البيعة لولده يزيد، وكتب إلى الآفاق بذلك، فبايع له الناس في سائر الأقاليم، إلا عبد الرحمن بن أبي بكر، وعبد الله بن عمر، والحسين بن علي، وعبد الله بن الزبير، وابن عباس

English:

“When Ziyad died, in that year Mu‘awiyah began arranging that matter and calling to it. He concluded the bay‘ah for his son Yazid and wrote to the regions about it. So people in the provinces pledged to him, except Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr, Abdullah ibn Umar, Hussain ibn Ali, Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr, and Ibn Abbas.”

Reference:

Ibn Kathir, al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah, events of 56 AH.

Notice the names who refused:

Imam Hussain a.s
Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr
Abdullah ibn Umar
Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr
Ibn Abbas

So where is the “free ijma‘ of Sahaba” for Yazid?

The idea was political engineering from al-Mughirah ibn Shu‘bah

Ibn al-Athir records that al-Mughirah pushed the idea of Yazid’s succession.

Arabic:

فقال: يا أمير المؤمنين قد رأيت ما كان من سفك الدماء والاختلاف بعد عثمان، وفي يزيد منك خلف، فاعقد له

English:

“He said: ‘O Commander of the Believers, you have seen the bloodshed and disagreement after Uthman. In Yazid there is a successor from you, so appoint him.’”

Then al-Mughirah said:

Arabic:

لقد وضعت رجل معاوية في غرز بعيد الغاية على أمة محمد وفتقت عليهم فتقا لا يرتق أبدا

English:

“I have placed Mu‘awiyah’s foot in a stirrup whose end is far-reaching over the Ummah of Muhammad, and I have opened upon them a tear that will never be repaired.”

Reference:

Ibn al-Athir, al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh, events of 56 AH.

Even the political architect of Yazid’s nomination knew this was a permanent disaster for the Ummah.

Paid delegations were used

Ibn al-Athir records that al-Mughirah gathered pro-Umayyad people in Kufa, sent them to Mu‘awiyah, and gave them money.

Arabic:

وسار المغيرة حتى قدم الكوفة وذاكر من يثق إليه ومن يعلم أنه شيعة لبني أمية أمر يزيد، فأجابوا إلى بيعته، فأوفد منهم عشرة... وأعطاهم ثلاثين ألف درهم

English:

“Al-Mughirah went to Kufa and discussed the matter of Yazid with those he trusted and those he knew were supporters of Banu Umayyah. They agreed to his bay‘ah, so he sent ten of them... and gave them thirty thousand dirhams.”

Then Mu‘awiyah asked:

Arabic:

بكم اشترى أبوك من هؤلاء دينهم؟ قال: بثلاثين ألفا. قال: لقد هان عليهم دينهم

English:

“For how much did your father buy the religion of these people?” He said: “For thirty thousand.” Mu‘awiyah said: “Their religion has become cheap to them.”

Reference:

Ibn al-Athir, al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh, events of 56 AH.

This is not Shia accusation. This is Sunni history saying their religion was “bought.”

Another paid delegation version

Arabic:

فقال معاوية لعروة سرا عنهم: بكم اشترى أبوك من هؤلاء دينهم؟ قال: بأربعمائة دينار. قال: لقد وجد دينهم عندهم رخيصا

English:

“Mu‘awiyah secretly asked Urwah about them: ‘For how much did your father buy the religion of these people?’ He said: ‘For four hundred dinars.’ Mu‘awiyah said: ‘He found their religion cheap with them.’”

Reference:

Ibn al-Athir, al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh.

So the method was clear: create delegations, pay them, send them as if they represent the Ummah, then claim the people want Yazid.

Ibn Umar was sent 100,000

Ibn al-Athir records:

Arabic:

فلما مات زياد عزم معاوية على البيعة لابنه يزيد، فأرسل إلى عبد الله بن عمر مائة ألف درهم، فقبلها، فلما ذكر البيعة ليزيد قال ابن عمر: هذا أراد أن ديني عندي إذن لرخيص. وامتنع

English:

“When Ziyad died, Mu‘awiyah resolved to take bay‘ah for his son Yazid. He sent Abdullah ibn Umar one hundred thousand dirhams, and he accepted it. But when Yazid’s bay‘ah was mentioned, Ibn Umar said: ‘This is what he intended; then my religion would be cheap to me.’ And he refused.”

Reference:

Ibn al-Athir, al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh.

Al-Dhahabi also records this report in Siyar A‘lam al-Nubala, and Islamweb notes that its chain is marked sahih in the margin of Siyar.

Careful point:

The report does not say Mu‘awiyah openly said, “This is a bribe.” But Ibn Umar himself understood the money as connected to Yazid’s bay‘ah and refused to sell his religion.

Marwan pressured Madinah from the pulpit

Sahih al-Bukhari records:

Arabic:

كان مروان على الحجاز استعمله معاوية فخطب فجعل يذكر يزيد بن معاوية لكي يبايع له بعد أبيه، فقال له عبد الرحمن بن أبي بكر شيئا، فقال: خذوه، فدخل بيت عائشة فلم يقدروا

English:

“Marwan was over Hijaz, appointed by Mu‘awiyah. He gave a sermon and began mentioning Yazid ibn Mu‘awiyah so that bay‘ah would be given to him after his father. Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr said something to him, so Marwan said: ‘Seize him.’ He entered the house of Aisha, so they could not reach him.”

Reference:

Sahih al-Bukhari 4550; Ibn Hajar, Fath al-Bari.

This is in Sahih al-Bukhari.

A Sahabi objected, and Marwan ordered: “Seize him.”

Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr called it Heraclius/Caesar-style monarchy

Ibn Hajar explains the words of Abd al-Rahman:

Arabic:

فقال عبد الرحمن: ما هي إلا هرقلية

English:

“Abd al-Rahman said: ‘This is nothing but Heraclian rule.’”

Another wording:

Arabic:

سنة هرقل وقيصر

English:

“The way of Heraclius and Caesar.”

Another wording:

Arabic:

أجئتم بها هرقلية تبايعون لأبنائكم؟

English:

“Have you brought a Heraclian system, pledging allegiance to your sons?”

Reference:

Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, Fath al-Bari, commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari 4550.

This Sahabi understood Mu‘awiyah’s move clearly: father-to-son kingship, not Islamic shura.

Imam Hussain a.s rejected it

Ibn al-Athir records:

Arabic:

وقام الحسين بن علي فأنكر ذلك، وفعل مثله ابن عمر وابن الزبير

English:

“Hussain ibn Ali stood and rejected that, and Ibn Umar and Ibn al-Zubayr did the same.”

Reference:

Ibn al-Athir, al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh.

So Imam Hussain a.s’s refusal was not a later personal rebellion. He rejected Yazid’s forced nomination from Mu‘awiyah’s own lifetime.

Governors were ordered to praise Yazid and send delegations

Ibn al-Athir writes:

Arabic:

وكان معاوية قد كتب إلى عماله بتقريظ يزيد ووصفه وأن يوفدوا إليه الوفود من الأمصار

English:

“Mu‘awiyah had written to his governors ordering them to praise Yazid, describe him, and send delegations from the regions to him.”

Reference:

Ibn al-Athir, al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh.

This was state propaganda.

Governors were not asked to hold free shura. They were ordered to promote Yazid.

Public speeches were staged

Arabic:

ثم إن معاوية قال للضحاك بن قيس الفهري لما اجتمع الوفود عنده: إني متكلم فإذا سكت فكن أنت الذي تدعو إلى بيعة يزيد وتحثني عليها

English:

“When the delegations gathered before him, Mu‘awiyah said to al-Dahhak ibn Qays al-Fihri: ‘I will speak, and when I become silent, you be the one who calls to the bay‘ah of Yazid and urges me toward it.’”

Reference:

Ibn al-Athir, al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh.

This was not spontaneous public demand. The speech was pre-planned.

Sword-language was used in the bay‘ah gathering

Arabic:

ثم قام يزيد بن المقنع العذري فقال: هذا أمير المؤمنين، وأشار إلى معاوية، فإن هلك فهذا، وأشار إلى يزيد، ومن أبى فهذا، وأشار إلى سيفه

English:

“Then Yazid ibn al-Muqanna‘ al-‘Udhri stood and said: ‘This is the Commander of the Believers,’ pointing to Mu‘awiyah. ‘If he dies, then this one,’ pointing to Yazid. ‘And whoever refuses, then this,’ pointing to his sword.”

Mu‘awiyah replied:

Arabic:

اجلس فأنت سيد الخطباء

English:

“Sit down, for you are the master of speakers.”

Reference:

Ibn al-Athir, al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh.

A man threatened people with the sword for Yazid’s bay‘ah, and Mu‘awiyah praised him as “master of speakers.”

Al-Ahnaf exposed the atmosphere of fear

Arabic:

نخافكم إن صدقنا، ونخاف الله إن كذبنا

English:

“We fear you if we speak truth, and we fear Allah if we lie.”

Reference:

Ibn al-Athir, al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh; Ibn Kathir also records similar wording in al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah.

This line alone exposes the entire atmosphere: people were afraid to speak truthfully about Yazid.

Mu‘awiyah threatened the major holdouts privately

Ibn Kathir writes:

Arabic:

استدعى كل واحد من هؤلاء الخمسة فأوعده وتهدده بانفراده

English:

“He summoned each one of these five individually, warned him, and threatened him privately.”

Reference:

Ibn Kathir, al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah.

The five were the major figures who refused Yazid: Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr, Abdullah ibn Umar, Imam Hussain a.s, Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr, and Ibn Abbas.

Public bay‘ah happened while the holdouts sat silent under threat

Ibn Kathir writes:

Arabic:

ثم خطب معاوية وهؤلاء حضور تحت منبره، وبايع الناس ليزيد وهم قعود ولم يوافقوا ولم يظهروا خلافا، لمّا تهددهم وتوعدهم، فاتسقت البيعة ليزيد في سائر البلاد

English:

“Then Mu‘awiyah gave a sermon while these men were present below his pulpit. The people pledged allegiance to Yazid while they were sitting. They did not agree and did not openly oppose, because he had threatened and warned them. Thus the bay‘ah for Yazid became arranged throughout the lands.”

Reference:

Ibn Kathir, al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah.

This destroys the claim that they happily accepted Yazid.

Ibn Kathir says they did not agree.
They stayed silent because of threats.

Ibn al-Athir gives an even stronger report: swords over their heads

Arabic:

فأقسم بالله لئن رد علي أحدكم كلمة في مقامي هذا لا ترجع إليه كلمة غيرها حتى يسبقها السيف إلى رأسه

English:

“By Allah, if any one of you replies to me with one word in this gathering, no other word will return to him before the sword reaches his head.”

Then Mu‘awiyah ordered:

Arabic:

أقم على رأس كل رجل من هؤلاء رجلين ومع كل واحد سيف

English:

“Place two men over the head of each of these men, each one carrying a sword.”

Then he publicly announced:

Arabic:

إن هؤلاء الرهط سادة المسلمين وخيارهم... وإنهم قد رضوا وبايعوا ليزيد، فبايعوا على اسم الله

English:

“These men are the leaders and best of the Muslims... They have accepted and pledged to Yazid, so pledge in the name of Allah.”

Later the people asked those men why they did not deny it, and they replied:

Arabic:

كادنا وخفنا القتل

English:

“He plotted against us, and we feared being killed.”

Reference:

Ibn al-Athir, al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh.

This is not shura.

This is intimidation.
This is false public presentation.
This is bay‘ah extracted through fear.

When Yazid came to power, his first concern was forcing the same people

Ibn Kathir writes:

Arabic:

ولم يكن ليزيد همة حين ولي إلا بيعة النفر الذين أبوا على معاوية البيعة ليزيد

English:

“When Yazid took power, he had no concern except the bay‘ah of those individuals who had refused to give bay‘ah to Yazid during Mu‘awiyah’s time.”

Then Yazid wrote to the governor of Madinah:

Arabic:

فخذ حسينا، وعبد الله بن عمر، وعبد الله بن الزبير بالبيعة أخذا شديدا ليست فيه رخصة حتى يبايعوا

English:

“Take Hussain, Abdullah ibn Umar, and Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr for bay‘ah with a severe taking in which there is no concession, until they pledge.”

Reference:

Ibn Kathir, al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah, Yazid ibn Mu‘awiyah wa ma jara fi ayyamih.

So Yazid’s first political priority was not justice, reform, Qur’an, Sunnah, or protecting the Ummah.

His first priority was forcing bay‘ah from those who refused him.

Marwan advised killing Imam Hussain a.s if he did not pledge

Ibn Kathir records that when Imam Hussain a.s was called to give bay‘ah, Marwan told the governor al-Walid:

Arabic:

والله لئن فارقك ولم يبايع الساعة ليكثرن القتل بينكم وبينه، فاحبسه ولا تخرجه حتى يبايع وإلا ضربت عنقه

English:

“By Allah, if he leaves you now without pledging, much killing will occur between you and him. Detain him and do not let him leave until he pledges, otherwise strike his neck.”

Imam Hussain a.s replied:

Arabic:

يا ابن الزرقاء أنت تقتلني؟ كذبت والله وأثمت

English:

“O son of al-Zarqa, will you kill me? By Allah, you have lied and sinned.”

Reference:

Ibn Kathir, al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah.

This is how the forced Yazid project reached Imam Hussain a.s.

Final question:

If Yazid’s bay‘ah was legitimate shura, why did Mu‘awiyah need:

paid delegations,
governors’ propaganda,
Marwan’s pulpit pressure,
threats against Sahaba,
sword-men over people’s heads,
false public claims that the leaders had accepted,
and then Yazid’s order to force Imam Hussain a.s with “no concession”?

Sunni sources themselves show the truth:

Mu‘awiyah broke the peace treaty.
He changed shura into hereditary kingship.
He pushed Yazid during his own lifetime.
He used money, fear, pressure, staged speeches and state power.
And when Yazid came to power, the first target was the free refusal of Imam Hussain a.s.

This is why Karbala did not begin only in Karbala.

Karbala began when the treaty of Imam Hasan a.s was broken, when Yazid was imposed on the Ummah, and when Imam Hussain a.s refused to give legitimacy to hereditary tyranny.