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1194 Who was Yajid? Why can we not say RadiAllahuAnhu with Yajid? Was he not a Muslim? If answer is "not" can we call him a Kafir?
Without any doubt, Yazid ordered the assassination of Imam Hussain (R.A) and showed content on his death. Prior to the actual killing, he was known as a morally corrupt person who drank alcohol and praised it in his poems. In fact, he often missed Salah because he was drunk.

Here are some authentic quotes to prove that in the tragedy of Karbala, Yazid ordered the death of Imam Hussain (R.A) and showed content when he was martyred.

-When Yazid learnt that Imam Hussain (R.A) was planning to go Kufa, he wrote to his governor there and said,

‘…My followers among the people of Kufa have written to me to inform me that Muslim ibn Aqil is in Kufa gathering units in order to spread rebellion among the Muslims. Therefore, when you read this letter of mine, go to Kufa and search for Muslim ibn Aqil, as if you were looking for a bead, until you find him. Then bind him in chains, kill him, or expel him. Peace be with you.’ (p.31. The History of al-Tabari; The Caliphate of Yazid. b. Mu’awiyah. Volume XIX. Translated by I.K.A. Howard. State University of New York Press, USA, 1990.

When Imam Hussain (R.A) reached Karbala, Yazid wrote to Ibn Ziyad, the head of the army and said,

‘…I did not send you to Hussain to hold off from fighting him, to give him time, to promise him peace and preservation, or to be an intercessor on his behalf with me. Therefore, see that, if Hussain and his followers submit to my authority and surrender, you can send them to me in peace. If they refuse, then march against them to kill and disfigure them, for they deserve that. If Hussain is killed, make the horses trample on his chest and back, for he is a disobedient rebel, an evil man who splits the community. Not that I think he would feel any harm once he is dead, but I vowed to do this if I killed him. If you carry out our order concerning him, we will give you the reward due to he who heeds and obeys. If you refuse, then withdraw from our command and our army. Leave the army to Shimr ibn Dhi al-Jawshan. We have given him our authority. Peace be with you.’ (p. 110. The History of al-Tabari; The Caliphate of Yazid. b. Mu’awiyah. Volume XIX. Translated by I.K.A. Howard. State University of New York Press, USA, 1990.
-A day after Imam Hussain ((R.A) was martyred, his head was despatched with Khawali ibn Yazid and Humayd ibn Muslim to Ibn Ziyad, and then Yazid. When Yazid was presented with the head of Imam Hussain (R.A), he began to poke his mouth with a cane. Abu Barzah al-Aslami, a Companion, was nearby and cried out to him; ‘Take your cane away! By God! How often have I seen the Messenger of Allah kiss that mouth!’ (p.76. The History of al-Tabari; The Caliphate of Yazid. b. Mu’awiyah. Volume XIX. Translated by I.K.A. Howard. State University of New York Press, USA, 1990.)

These texts clearly show that Yazid’s conduct was beastly like, to say the least. His actions were in complete contrast to the teachings and tenets of Islam.

Upon such evidence, many scholars allow the practice of cursing him, or sending ‘La’na’.
In his book Wafiyyat al-A’yaan, Ibn Khalkan quotes the opinion of Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Muhammad on the issue;

‘Yazid was not from the Companions because he was born in the era of Umar ibn al-Khattab (R.A). As for the opinions of the Salaf on the issue, Imam Ahmad (R.A) has two opinions; [it is permissible to curse him] implicitly and explicitly. Imam Malik (R.A) has two opinions; [it is permissible to curse him] implicitly and explicitly. Imam Abu Hanifa (R.A) has two opinions; [it is permissible to curse him] implicitly and explicitly. Imam Shafi (R.A) has one opinion; that it is permissible to curse him explicitly. And why should this not be the case, since Yazid would play chess, hunt with foxes, continuously drink alcohol and praise alcohol in his poems and odes?’ (Cited in Muqalaat, Pir Muhammad Karam Shah al-Azhari. Volume II. Zia al-Quran Publications, Lahore, Pakistan, 2001 (pp. 332-333).

Likewise, Allama Sa’d al-Din writes in Sharh al-Aqa’id al-Nasfiyya;

‘…And some scholars have declared the permissibility of cursing Yazid. This is because [they believe] he left the circle of Islam by killing Imam Hussain(R.A). All the scholars are unanimous that it is permissible to curse the one who killed Imam Hussain(R.A), ordered his murder and showed content on his murder. And it is true that Yazid was content with the murder of Imam Hussain (R.A), showed great happiness on this and that he gravely insulted the Ahl Bayt. These matters have been proven – in terms of meaning – as conclusive and definitive [Mutawatir], though the individual reports are Ahad. We do not doubt the events or the fact that Yazid became a disbeliever. May Allah (S.W.T) curse him and his helpers and associates.’ (Sharh al-Aqa’id al-Nasfiyya. Allama Sa’d al-Din al-Taftazani. Maktaba Khair Kathir, Karachi, Lahore. n.d. on publication. (pp. 162-163)

Others say we should curse him but not go as far as calling him an infidel. This is because the Prophet (S.A.W) forbade Muslims from calling one another infidels. He explained that if a Muslim calls another an infidel, then one of the two will become infidels by the statement; either the accused or the accuser.

As for calling him a Jahannami, it is the belief of the Ahl Sunna wa Jamat that some Muslims will be punished in the fire of Hell, before eventually granted Paradise. Such people will be people who have committed major sins (like killing) without seeking repentance before dying. Therefore calling someone a Jahannami is not the same as calling someone a Kaafir.

We should curse him for what he did, and despise him. His actual fate in the hereafter lies solely with Allah (S.W.T); He forgives whom he chooses and He punished whom He chooses. Moreover, rather than debating the fate of Yazid, we should concern ourselves with how best to commemorate and revive the message of Imam Hussain (R.A), may Allah (S.W.T) shower his blessings upon him.

(Answered by: Imams at Islamic Centre, Leicester, UK)

(Verified by: Hafiz Mohammed Akhtar)
Category (Ahle Sunnat Wal Jammat)
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