SCENE 2: KUFA, House of Taw'ah, a couple other
houses, Palace of Ibn Ziyad with stairs leading to rooftop
(Muslim
walks down the street and knocks on a door)
Muslim: Assalaamu alaikum!
Is anyone there?
Kufan
2: (offstage) Go away!
Muslim:
(Goes onto next door and knocks) Peace be upon you!
Kufan
1: (offstage) We don't wanna be disturbed.
Muslim: I only want a place to stay.
Kufan
1: (offstage) Leave us alone, we don't want your
type here.
(Muslim
walks on)
Muslim: Only yesterday, they were treating me like their guest. (sees an old lady standing outside) Assalaamu alaikum, khalah.
Taw'ah: Wa alaikum assalaam, servant of Allah. Can I help you?
Muslim: Could you spare a cup of water in this desert?
Taw'ah: Of course
(Reaches down, pours some water from a container or jug, and gives it to
him. )
Muslim: Thank you. (He drinks but does not leave)
Taw'ah: Times are harsh, young man. You'd better be getting on your way. Your wife and children must be worried sick
about you.
Muslim: My wife and children are far away. I have no one in this city, not even a
friend. These people dragged me here
and then left me by myself.
Taw'ah: Really? Who are you?
Muslim:
I am the "traitor". I am the "criminal". I am the "fugitive". I am Muslim ibn Aqeel.
Taw'ah: (peers at him) Muslim! Is it really you?
Muslim: Yes. I am
the one whose association is punishable by death. I came to prepare the people to revolt against the long hand of
Yazid, and now I stand here, betrayed.
Taw'ah: Quick, come inside!
(Muslim enters house, where Son of Taw'ah is sitting on the ground, at
some partially eaten food) I feel so
terrible about what happened, Muslim.
If it means anything to you, me and my son are still with you. (looks to Son) Right, son?
Son
of Taw'ah: (looking away - he's lying) Right.
Muslim: It means a lot to me, khalah. One friend is better than none.
Son
of Taw'ah: (rising) I'll be back.
Taw'ah: Wait! Where are you
going? Son? Son?
Muslim:
Don't worry about him. He'll be fine.
Taw'ah: He does worry me.
The soldiers are everywhere these days.
(Guard
comes onstage, looking around for something.
He is accompanied by soldiers.
Son goes to meet him and they have an inaudible conversation pointing at
the house. The guard hands him a small
bag of coins, which he ties to his belt)
Guard:
What
way did he go?
Son
of Taw’ah: (pointing) That way.
(Muslim
and Taw'ah can't hear the conversation)
Taw'ah: What can I do to help you?
Muslim:
You've done more than enough. I'm already in your debt.
Taw'ah: Stay in our house tonight. It's not safe for you outside.
Muslim: Are you sure? They've put
out a big reward for me. I don't want
you to get hurt. Times being what they
are--
Guard: This one, here?
(Bangs on Kufan 2's door)
Kufan
2: Salaam (offstage)
Taw'ah: We'll be fine.
No one knows you're here, except for my son. He wouldn't tell anyone-- (they suddenly hear what's going on)
Son
of Taw'ah: Not that one!
Guard:
Which house?
Son of Taw’ah: Over there, the
small one!
Taw'ah: -- would he?
(Taw'ah
and Muslim look at each other nervously)
Taw'ah:
That ungrateful child! Curse him!
Hide! (goes to door as Muslim
steps behind something) Who's there?
Guard:
Messenger of the State. Open up!
(Taw'ah
draws hijab tight around face and opens door)
Guard: (Turns to Son. Son nods) All right! Who're you
hiding in there?
Taw'ah: (Shaking; nervous)
Hiding? Me? No one--
Son
of Taw'ah: He's here, keep looking.
(Guard
steps inside, clutching sword hilt)
Taw'ah: (gasps) (to Son) How could you? He was our guest!
Son
of Taw’ah: I – I- it’s for the khalifah, we have to do
it for Yazid.
(Taw'ah's
eyes fall on the bag of money tied to her son's belt)
Taw’ah:
You are no son of mine!
Son
of Taw’ah: Mother, please!
(Taw’ah
turns away)
Guard:
Tell me where he is, now!
(Muslim
steps out. Guard gapes)
Muslim:
Stay away from her. (Guard steps back) (to
Taw'ah) I thank you for your generosity
and goodwill, khalah. I would not repay it by spilling blood in
your own house.
Taw'ah: I'm so sorry.
Muslim: You did what you could.
It was not in vain. I can see
that the Prophet will intercede for you on the Last Day, for I am close to death.
Taw'ah: No...
Muslim: Yesterday, I saw my martyred uncle, Amir
Al-Mu'mineen, in a dream. He told me
that I would join him the next day.
Since then, it has only been a matter of time.
Taw'ah: Subhanallah.
Muslim: I implore you, good lady, remember your Imam.
(Muslim
rushes outside)
Guard:
Get him!
Now!
Fellow
Soldier: Are you crazy? We can't fight him!
(Uneasy Soldier attacks and Muslim kills him) He's no ordinary man!
Guard: Reinforcements! (Soldiers
rush onto stage and attack) Get him
from behind! That way! Hold him down! (Muslim is subdued and a guard ties his hands up) You -- you're gonna have a talk with your
governor. (drags him along)
Muslim: My Imam! Hear what I am
saying! Leave this place! Do not come here!
Guard:
(hitting him with sword hilt) Stop that racket!
Muslim: My Imam...(hit again)
(Muslim
is led in front of palace where Ibn Ziyad is seated. Town crier is next to him.
All fall silent. Guards drop to
their knees)
Guard: All hail, great leader.
Town
Crier: All hail His Eminence Ibn Ziyad. (takes a couple steps towards Muslim) Greet your leader
Muslim:
He is not my leader.
(Motions
to Guard who puts his sword to Muslim's neck)
Town
Crier: Greet your leader.
Muslim:
Peace be upon those who followed the right
guidance.
Ibn
Ziyad: Leave him.
(Guard drops sword) Whether he greets me or not, he will still be
killed.
Muslim:
People worse than you have killed people
better than me.
Ibn
Ziyad: Listen to him now! He insults the khalifah!
You, Muslim ibn Aqil, have been tried and convicted of inciting the
masses, spreading disunity, and treason to the State.
Muslim: Is that so?
Then you should die, for you are the one who has betrayed the command of
the Prophet!
Ibn
Sa’d:
(clutches sword hilt, clenches face, and turns red in anger) (not too loudly)
Insolent man…
Muslim: God, grant me the gift of being martyred by the
worst of Your creation.
Ibn
Ziyad: Get him out of here!
(Guard
pushes him upstairs with sword pointed to his back)
Muslim: (quietly, dhikr as he is being led) Subhanallah wal hamdulillah wa laa ilaaha
illa allahu wa allahu akbar.
(They
reach the top)
Muslim: Wait! Grant
me one last request!
Ibn
Ziyad: Spare us the pleas for your life.
Muslim: Ha! (a response
to indicate "never") My request is for another.
Ibn
Ziyad: In that case -- (to Town Crier) This should
be worth hearing -- Tell us what you want.
Muslim:
Tell my master Husain that his people have
turned against him. Tell him to go back
to Madinah. Tell him--
Ibn
Ziyad: Get rid of him, NOW!
Muslim: (quietly, dhikr) Subhanallah wal hamdu lillah wa laa ilaaha illa allahu wa
allahu akbar. O Allah! Judge between us and the people who lied to
us, deceived us, and betrayed us.
(Guard
pushes Muslim off of the rooftop)
Muslim: (calling out) Assalaamu alaika ya aba 'Abdillah...
Guard:
He's gone!
(A
loud crash, and silence. Town Crier
nods to Ibn Ziyad. Ibn Sa'd makes a
fist and shakes it. Lights out)