One of the documents which serves as evidence to prove that Yazid played a direct role in the killing of Imam al-Husayn (as) is a letter which ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Abbas wrote to Yazid ibn Mu‘awiyah. In this letter, Ibn ‘Abbas admonished Yazid to kill Imam al-Husayn (as). A Part of the letter reads, “From ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Abbas to Yazid ibn Mu‘awiyah. And after this…
O illegitimate child! It is you who killed al-Husayn with your contaminated and filthy hands. Do not suppose that I have forgotten that you have blood on your hands and that you have martyred al-Husayn and the youths of Bani Hashim who were bright shining lights and stars of guidance for those in darkness…”22
It is important to note that Ibn ‘Abbas was known as a man that would not accuse any person falsely.
O illegitimate child! It is you who killed al-Husayn with your contaminated and filthy hands. Do not suppose that I have forgotten that you have blood on your hands and that you have martyred al-Husayn and the youths of Bani Hashim who were bright shining lights and stars of guidance for those in darkness…”22
It is important to note that Ibn ‘Abbas was known as a man that would not accuse any person falsely.
Notes:
22. Tarikh Ya‘qubi, vol. 2, p. 248; Ibn Athir, Al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh, vol. 3, p. 318.
