, as
it involved the grandson of the Prophet, the son of Ali, and so many
members of his family, Hosain's devout partisans at Kufa, who by their
overtures had been the principal cause of the disaster, regarded it as
a tragedy, and the facts gradually acquired a wholly romantic colouring.
Omar b. Sa'd and his officers, Obaidallah and even Yazid came to be
regarded as murderers, and their names have ever since been held
accursed by all Shi'ites. They observe the 10th of Muharram, the day of
'Ashura, as a day of public mourning. Among the Persians, stages are
erected on that day in public places, and plays are acted, representing
the misfortunes of the family of Ali.[16] "Revenge for Hosain" became
the watchword of all Shi'ites, and the Meshed Hosain (Tomb of the martyr
Hosain) at Kerbela is to them the holiest place in the world (see
KERBELA). Obaidallah sent the head of Hosain to Damascus, together with
the women and children and Ali b. Hosain, who, being ill, had not taken
part in the fight. Yazid was very sorry for the issue, and sent the
prisoners under safe-conduct to Medina. Ali remained faithful to the
caliph, taking no share in the revolt of the Medinians, and openly
condemning the risings of the Shi'ites.

Ibn Zobair profited greatly by the distress caused by Hosain's death.
Though he named himself publicly a refugee of the House of God, he had
himself secretly addressed as caliph, and many of the citizens of Medina
acknowledged him as such. Yazid, when informed of this, swore in his
anger to have him imprisoned. But remembering the wisdom of his father,
he sent messengers with a chain made of silver coins, and bearing
honourable proposals. At the same time he received a number of the chief
men of Medina, sent by the prefect, with great honour and loaded them
with gifts and presents. But Ibn Zobair refused, and the Medinians, of
whom the majority probably had never before seen a prince's court,
however simple, were only confirmed in their rancour against Yazid, and
told many horrible tales about his profligacy, that he hunted and held
wild orgies with Bedouin sheikhs, and had no religion. A
characteristically Arabic ceremony took place in the mosque of Medina.
"I cast off the oath of allegiance to Yazid, as I cast off my turban,"
exclaimed the first, and all others followed, casting off one of their
garments, till a heap of turbans and sandals lay on the floor. Ibn
Hanzala was made commander. The Omayyads, though