Driven by undisguised hostility against the Ahl al-Bayt (as), Ibn Taymiyyah rose in defence of Yazid. He endeavored by all means to exonerate Yazid of all corruption and unscrupulousness including his guilt in the killing of Imam al-Husayn (as). He has done so by shamelessly resorting to guile and deceit to justify Yazid’s actions.
Ibn Taymiyyah writes, “Yazid was not pleased with the killing of al-Husayn. He even expressed his displeasure at this action.”1
He also repudiates the truth of the events in which the Sham army carried the head of Imam al-Husayn (as) on a lance to Sham.2 At one point, he even denies that Imam al-Husayn’s (as) Household, the Ahl al-Bayt (as), were taken into captivity by Yazid’s soldiers.3
At another juncture, Ibn Taymiyyah says, “Yazid did not issue orders to kill al-Husayn. Yazid’s soldiers did not bring the heads of those killed at Karbala on lances to Sham to be presented to Yazid. Yazid did not hit the teeth of al-Husayn with his stick. In fact, it was ‘Ubayd Allah ibn Ziyad who did all these actions.”4
Ibn Taymiyyah writes, “Yazid was not pleased with the killing of al-Husayn. He even expressed his displeasure at this action.”1
He also repudiates the truth of the events in which the Sham army carried the head of Imam al-Husayn (as) on a lance to Sham.2 At one point, he even denies that Imam al-Husayn’s (as) Household, the Ahl al-Bayt (as), were taken into captivity by Yazid’s soldiers.3
At another juncture, Ibn Taymiyyah says, “Yazid did not issue orders to kill al-Husayn. Yazid’s soldiers did not bring the heads of those killed at Karbala on lances to Sham to be presented to Yazid. Yazid did not hit the teeth of al-Husayn with his stick. In fact, it was ‘Ubayd Allah ibn Ziyad who did all these actions.”4
Notes:
1. Ra’s al-Husayn, p. 207.
2. Ibid., p. 206.
3. Minhaj al-Sunnah, vol. 2, p. 226.
4. Su’al fi Yazid ibn Mu‘awiyah, p. 16.