Mukhtar was released from Prison
Maytham al-Tammar was a good man. He was one of Imam Ali's companions. From the Imam's knowledge, he learnt a lot.
Maytham al-Tammar was in the same prison with Mukhtar. One day Mukhtar said to him:
Ubaidullah bin Ziyad, the unjust man, has killed the grandson of Allah's Apostle. Now he will kill us!
Maytham al-Tammar said:
My dear Ali has said to me:
They will tie you to a date palm trunk.
Then they will kill you.
They will release Mukhtar from prison. He will kill the unjust tyrant. He will kick his face with his leg.
Safyyah
Safyyah was Mukhtar's sister. She was the wife of Abdullah bin Umar bin al-Khattab. Abdullah bin Umar bin al-Khattab had good relations with Yazid bin Mu'awiyah. So, he asked him to release Mukhtar.
Ubaidullah bin Ziyad decided to kill Mukhtar. But Yazid bin Mu'awiyah sent a man quickly to him. He ordered him to release Mukhtar.
Ubaidullah bin Ziyad read Yazid bin Mu'awiyah's message. He obeyed him. So, he released Mukhtar. He said to him rudely:
You must leave Kufa within three days. If you don't leave, I'll kill you.
So, Mukhtar headed for Mecca.
Taken from Mukhtar al-Thaqafy by Kamal al-seyyed
Other links:
Karbala, the Pleasure of Allah