The Evil of Yazīd

Dear Islamic brothers! Why did Imam Ḥusayn رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ make this great sacrifice? He was not involved in matters of rulership, but he will be the leader of the youth in Paradise. How can such a person who is granted leadership in Paradise be tempted by rulership in this temporary world? Why did Imam Ḥusayn رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ not pledge his allegiance to Yazīd? He disliked his character. If the wretched Yazīd had a noble character, he would have followed the Quran and Sunnah. If this was the case, Imam Ḥusayn رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ would never have refused. But this despicable individual was not pure. His habits were evil. He would sin publicly with flagrant disregard. He was a fornicator and an alcoholic. He opposed the Quran and Sunnah, and this is why Imam Ḥusayn رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ did not pledge allegiance to him and sacrificed his life.

Imam Ḥusayn رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ was displeased with the character and actions of Yazīd. If we have the same evil habits as him, will Imam Ḥusayn رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ be pleased with us?

Here are the reasons why Imam Ḥusayn refused to pledge allegiance to the loathsome Yazīd:

Altering the Sunnah

The beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said: اَوَّلُ مَنْ یُبَدِّلُ سُنَّتِی رَجُلٌ مِّنْ بَنِیْ اُمَیَّۃَ یُقَالُ لَہٗ یَزِیْدُ “The first person to change my Sunnah will be a man from Banī Umayyah, and his name will be Yazīd.”^[1]

Dear Islamic brothers! We have learnt that Yazīd was an individual who changed and opposed the Sunnah. This ignoble man did not follow the example of the Prophet, and he encouraged others to do the same. If