The Mission of Ma’qal
When Muslim bin Aqeel was informed regarding the arrival of Ubaydullah and heard his words, he left the house of Mukhtar and went to the door of Hani bin Urwah Muradi.
Thus Hani gave him residence and the Shiea started visiting him in secret. People started swearing the oath of allegiance at the hands of Muslim until the number reached twenty five thousand.
Ubaydullah called his retainer Ma’qal and gave him three thousand dirham and told him to find the whereabouts of Muslim bin Aqeel and his associates and intermingle with them. Then he should partake that wealth with them and thus show them that he too was among their own people and hence remain aware of their intentions and report to him. Ma’qal entered the Mosque and heard that Muslim bin Ausaja Asadi was taking the oath of allegiance in the name of Imam Hussein (A.S). Muslim at that moment was busy in Prayers, when he finished his Prayers Ma’qal came up to him and said, "O slave of Allah! I am a native of Syria, a slave of Zil Kila, who has been favored by Allah with the love of the Household (Ahl-ul-Bayt) of the Prophet (PBUH). These are three thousand dirham, and I desire to give it to the person regarding whom I have heard that he has come to Kufa and is accepting the oath of allegiance in the name of the grandson of the Prophet. I have heard from some people that you are acquainted with the Ahl-ul-Bayt (A.S) hence I have come to you. I request you to accept this wealth and take me to your chief so that I may swear the oath of allegiance to him, and if you desire I should swear fealty at your hands before meeting him." Muslim bin Ausaja Asadi replied, "I am delighted to meet you and happy upon your desire to reach your destination, and May Allah aid the Ahl-ul-Bayt (A.S) with your assistance. But I do not like that people should be aware of that issue before it’s completion and I fear the oppressor and his power." Then Muslim accepted his allegiance with firm promises to remain faithful and to keep it concealed. Ma’qal started coming to him for some days until Muslim took him to the presence of Muslim bin Aqeel (A.S).
Taken from books: NAFASUL MAHMOOM and The Hidden Truth About Karbala
By Haj Shaikh Abbas Qummi (a.r) and A.K.ahmed B.Sc., B. L.
Other links:
Muslim bin Aqeel’s departure from Mecca in Mid-Ramadhan
Ubaydullah bin Ziyad’s exit from Basra towards Kufa
Arresting of Hani by ibn Ziyad
Loneliness of Muslim bin Aqeel in the lanes of Kufa
Muslim bin Aqeel in the House of Taw’ah
