Violent Revolts
The Umayyads followed an oppressive policy against the Moslems. They persecuted them and deprived them of their material and spiritual rights. Hence, the Moslems led violent revolts against the Umayyad government to overthrow it.
The following is some revolts that occurred at the time of Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Baqir), peace be on him:
The Revolt of Medina
Yazid b. Mu'a`wiya went too far in oppression and tyranny. He committed all grave sins. He violated the sacredness of Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family. For he killed al-Husayn, the prophet's grandson. Moreover, he ordered the rest of the family of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, to be taken as prisoners. That was at the tragedy of Karbala`'.
In this connection, 'Abd Allah b. Hanzala, a leader of the revolt, said: "By Allah, we revolted against Yazid because we were afraid that stones would be thrown at us from the sky. By Allah, if there had been
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1. Ibn Hanbal, al-Radd, 'ala al-Jahamiya wa al- Zandaqa, p. 11.
2. Al-Firaq al-Islamiya fi al-'Asr al-Umawi, p. 286.
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some people with me, I would have fought against Yazid bravely to please Allah. For Yazid married mothers and their daughters. He drank wine and forgot to perform the prayers.
1
Al-Mundhir, a leader of the revolt, said: "Yazid gave me a hundred thousand (dinars). However, I will tell you about him: By Allah, he drinks wine. By Allah, he gets so intoxicated that he forgets to perform the prayers.
2
For these reasons, the people of Medina decided to break their pledge of allegiance to Yazid. Then, they dismissed their governor. They pursued the Umayyads.
Marwa`n b. al-Hakam thought that the people of Medina would attack his women. So, he hurried to 'Abd Allah b. 'Umar and asked him to protect his women from the revolutionists. However, the latter refused to accept that. Then he went to Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him. The Ima`m, peace be on him, responded to him. He forgot the mistreatment of Marwa`n towards the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace
be on them. He spent on the women of Marwa`n. Then Marwa`n fled Medina (Yathrib), for he was afraid of the revolutionists.
3
Then the tyrannical ruler, Yazid b. Mu'a`wiya, sent a large army to occupy Medina (Yathrib). He entrusted the army to Moslem b. 'Aqaba, who said: "By Allah, I will destroy (Medina.)
Moslem b. 'Aqaba advanced against Medina. After some bloody battles, he was able to occupy it. When his army entered Medina, it began killing the innocent people, the children, and the old men and women.
During those bloody battles, Medina lost eighty Companions of Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family. Thus, no one of those who participated at the Battle of Badr remained alive. Medina also lost seven hundred persons of Quraysh and of the Ansa`r (supporters). Moreover, it lost ten thousand persons of common
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1. Ibn Sa'd, Tabaqat.
2. Al-Tabari, Tarikh, vol. 4, p. 368.
3. Ibn al-Athir, Tarikh, vol. 3, p. 311.
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people.
1
Then Moslem b. 'Aqaba ordered the people of Medina to pledge allegiance to Yazid b. Mu'a`wiya. He said to them: "You are the slaves of Yazid. He will behave with you however he wishes. Whoever refuses that, I will behead him.
2
The historians said: "Ima`m Zayn al-''Abidin hurried to the grave of his grandfather, Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, to seek protection with it. However, he was arrested and brought to Moslem b. 'Aqaba. When Moslem b. 'Aqaba saw the Ima`m, he shook all over out of the solemnity of the Imam.
3 He stood up for him. Then, he said to him: 'Ask me for your needs.' So, the Imam intercede with him for those who were sentenced to death. Moslem b. 'Aqaba responded to the Ima`m. When the Ima`m left, Moslem was asked about his attitude towards him :'You had abused this young man and his fathers. So, why did you honor him?' Because he filled my heart with fear,' replied Moslem.
4
The Revolt of the Repentant
The Shi'a of Ku`fa wrote many letters to Ima`m Husayn, the Lord of martyrs, peace be on him. In their letters, they pledged allegiance to him. They asked him to come to them. When the Ima`m came to them, they deserted him. Afterwards, the Shi'a of Ku`fa repented of the sin they committed against the Ima`m. They thought that there would be no penance for their sin except the revolt against the Umayyad government, avenging the blood of Ima`m Husayn, peace be on him, and murdering the criminals who killed him.
The leader of the Repentant was Sulayma`n b. Sirt al-Khuza`'i.
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1. Al-Tabari, Tarikh, vol. 7, pp. 5-12.
2. Al-Ya'qubi. Tarikh, vol. 2, p. 232.
3. In 'Uyyun al-Akhbar wa Funun al-Athir ( p. 166,) It was mentioned that Marwan b. al-Hakam was sitting beside Moslem b. Aqaba. He heard him cursing Imam Zayn al-Abidin. So he invoked him to kill the Imam. Thus, he forgot the Imam' favors.
4. Murujj al-Dhahab, vol. 3, p. 18.
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The Shi'a elected him as a general leader for the revolt. The asked him to draw political and military plans and to exchange letters with the Shi'a inside and outside Iraq.
The Repentant collected money and donations. Meanwhile, they kept their revolt secret. When Yazid b. Mu'a`wiya had died, the Repentant announced their violent revolt. That was in the year 65 A.H. Their number was four hundred persons. Their motto was: "Let us avenge the blood of al-Husayn.
This affective motto was used for the first time in Ku`fa. It shook the position of those who committed the most horrible crime in the history of mankind.
The Repentant headed for 'Ayn al-Warda. Then the Syrians advanced against them. The two parties met. Violent battles took place between them. The Repentant showed extreme courage. Some of their leaders died martyrs at those battles.
Among them were Sulayma`n b. Sirt al-Khuza`'i, al-Musayyab b. Nujayya, 'Abd Allah b. Sa'd, and the like.
The Repentant were unable to fight against the Syrians. So, they withdrew from the battlefield and returned to Ku`fa at night. However, the Syrians did not pursue them.
With that the revolt of the Repentant ended. Though the Repentant were unable to overthrow the Umayyad government, they filled the hearts of the Umayyads with fear. Meanwhile, they gladdened the members of the house (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them.
The Revolt of al-Mukhta`r
Al-Mukhta`r was the most brilliant figure in Arab and Islamic history. He was the most prominent politician in drawing plans. He had much knowledge of psychology and mass media. Hence, he moved the feelings of the people and enlightened their intellect through sermons and poetry. Moreover, he made use of acting, demonstrations, and rumors.
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1. Al-Mukhtar, p. 43.
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He was among the main figures of the Shi'a. He was among the swords of the family of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family. Some orientalists said: "Al-Mukhta`r was loyal to movement. He supported his followers. He treated Arabs and non-Arabs with justice. Hence, Islam spread among non-Arabs.
1 Wilhawzin doubted that al-Mukhta`r wanted to avenge the blood of al-Husayn to hold the reins of government.
2
The people accused al-Mukhta`r of claiming prophecy, and the like. They accused him of that because he wanted to avenge the blood of Ima`m Husayn, peace be on him, to overthrow the Umayyad government, and to treat Arabs and non-Arabs with justice. He did his best to follow the policy of Ima`m Ali, the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, in economy and society.
Al-Mukhta`r was pious. He conformed to the teachings of religion. The historians said: "During his short-term government, al-Mukhta`r fasted very much to show thankfulness to Allah, the Exalted. For Allah granted him success to support the pure family (of the Prophet) and to destroy the
Umayyads.
Al-Mukhta`r scared the Murderers
Al-Mukhta`r terrified those who killed Ima`m Husayn, peace be on him. So, some of them escaped to 'Abd al-Malik b. Marwa`n to protect them from al-Mukhta`r.
3
'Abd al-Malik b. al-Hajja`j al-Taghlubi escaped to 'Abd al-Malik and said to him: "I have escaped to you from Iraq.
'Abd al-Malik shouted at him, saying: "You are a liar. You have not escaped to us. However, you have escaped from the blood of al-Husayn. You have feared for your blood. So, you have sought protection with us.
4
Some of the murderers escaped to b. al-Zubayr and joined his
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1. Da'irat al-Ma'arif al-Islamiya, vol. 3, p. 237.
2. Al-Khawarijj wa al-Shi'a, p. 237.
3. Hayat al-Imam al-Husayn, vol. 3, p. 455.
4. Ibn Qutayba, 'Uyyun al-Akhbar, vol. 1, p. 103.
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army. For they were afraid of al-Mukhta`r.
However, al-Mukhta`r spread scareand terror in the houses of those who killed Ima`m Husayn, peace be on him. He filled the hearts of the murderers with terror. Among those who were afraid of
al-Mukhta`r was Asma`'`` b. Kha`rija, one of those who killed Ima`m Husayn, peace be on him.
Al-Mukhta`r said: "A black fire will come down from the sky. The fire will burn the house of Asma`'." When the latter heard the words of the former, he fled Kufa.
Al-Mukhta`r killed the Murderers
Al-Mukhta`r executed quickly those who participated in murdering the Lord of the youth of Heaven, Ima`m Husayn, peace be on him. He killed the wicked criminal, b. Marja`na. He also killed 'Umar b. Sa'd and his son Hafs. Then, he sent their heads to Medina (Yathrib) as a gift to the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them. Hence, the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, became glad. Ima`m
Abu` 'Abd Allah al-Sa`diq, peace be on him, reported their rejoicing, saying: "No Ha`shimite woman combed her hair till al-Mukhta`r sent us the heads of those who killed al-Husayn.
1Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him, praised and lauded al-Mukhta`r. Addressing al-Hakam b. al-Mukhta`r, the Ima`m said: "May Allah have mercy on your father. He took our right from all the people.
Al-Mukhta`r sent Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin twenty-thousand dinars. The Ima`m accepted it and rebuilt the houses of the Banu` 'Aqil, which the Umayyads demolished.
2
The Revolt of Ibn al-Zubayr
As for b. al-Zubayr, he did not intend to make happy the community and to achieve its interests. Rather, he wanted the family of al-Zubayr to take the reins of government. However, the family of
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1. Al-Kashi, Rijal.
2. Safinat al-Bihar, vol. 1, p. 435.
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al-Zubayr thought of nothing except their interests. The proof for that is what 'Abd Allah b. 'Umar said to his wife when she asked him to pledge allegiance to b. al-Zubayr. He said to her: "Have you not seen the mules which Mu'a`wiya used to make the pilgrimage (to Mecca)? Surely, b. al-Zubayr wants nothing except
them.
1
Indeed b. al-Zubayr wanted nothing except holding the reins of authority. Through his revolt, he did not want to please Allah or to achieve the interests of the community. To take the reins of government, he used all means such as showing asceticism and worship. He did that to deceive the simple people. Concerning him Ima`m 'Ali, the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, said: "He installed the snare of religion to choose the world.
2 Now, we will mention some qualities of b. al-Zubayr:
His Miserliness
The most prominent quality of b. al-Zubayr was miserliness. This quality was the most important reason for the overthrowing of his government.
The historians reported many examples of his miserliness. Among them is that the poet 'Abd Allah b. al-Zubayr al-Asadi came to him and asked him for some money. He said to him: "O Commander of the Faithful, there is blood relation between you and me." 'Abd Allah thought that b. al-Zubayr would feel pity for him and bestow upon him. Thus, b. al-Zubayr replied: "Yes, you are right. However, if you think of such a relation, then all the people belong to one father and one mother.
When 'Abd Allah al-Asadi understood that this way was useless, he said to b. al-Zubayr: "O Commander of the Faithful, I have used up my money.
Bin al-Zubayr did not feel shame of 'Abd Allah. So, he said to him: "That does not concern me.
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1. Hayat al-Imam al-Husayn, vol. 2, p. 310.
2. Sharh Nahjj al-Balagha, vol. 7, p. 24.
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Abd Allah al-Asadi went on begging b. al-Zubayr, saying: "O Commander of the Faithful, my she-camel has become tired.
However, b. al-Zubayr scolded him, and then he said to him: "Take your she-camel and go back to your homeland, Najd.
'Abd Allah al-Asadi was unable to bear the words of b. al-Zubayr. Hence, he said to him: "O Commander of the Faithful, I have unwillingly come to you. May Allah curse the she-camel that has brought me to you.
Ibn al-Zubayr shouted at him, saying: "May Allah curse its rider, too.
Then 'Abd Allah al-Asadi went out, saying:
I see that the needs are troubles with Abu` Khabib.
1
(He) is from al-A'ya`s
2or from the family of Harb.
(He) has a blaze as the horse has.
I said to my companions: Bring me my she-camel to leave Mecca at night.
However, I came at Dha`ti 'Rqin
3 to b. al-Kahiliya,
4who is from Ma'ad.
5
Ibn al-Zubayr said: "My abdomen is a span of the hand. A little thing of the world is enough for it.
These words of him made the people mock him.
Ibn al-Zubayr was very miserly. It was said that he gave the poor from the public treasury. Yet, he felt that he gave them from the money of his father.
7 His miserliness made him lose his battle with 'Abd
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1. Abu Khabib was the Kunya of 'Abd Allah b. al-Zubayr.
2. Al-A'ya were the sons of Umayya b. 'Abd Shams.
3. Dhati 'Irqin was one of the times of the hajj.
4. It was the time of the Iraqis.
5. Ibn al-Khiliya was b. al-Zubayr. The poet gibed him with that.
6. Al-Siyuti, Tarikh al-Khulafa', p. 213.
7. Al-Ya'qubi, Tarikh, vol. 3, p. 9.
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al-Malik b. Marwa`n.
1
His Enmity towards the 'Alids
The soul of b. al-Zubayr was full of hatred and detest towards the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them. He harbored malice against them to the extent that he did not bless the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, in his sermon. He was asked about that, and he said: "He (the Prophet) has an evil family. They become happy and raise their heads when they hear his name.
2
Ibn al-Zubayr did his best to hurt the family of Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family. He forgot that the Prophet's family was the source of awareness and culture of this community. He forgot that the great Prophet did his people many favors. It was the Prophet who saved b. al-Zubayr's people from the poor desert life. It was he who built glory and government for them. Moreover, it was he who made them the lords of peoples and nations.
Ibn al-Zubayr ordered the 'Alids to pledge allegiance to him. However, they refused that. They said to him: "We will not pledge allegiance to you till the community gathers." So, he ordered his men to arrest them. Hence, his men arrested the 'Alids at Zamzam. Then, b. al-Zubayr said to them: "If you do not pledge allegiance to me, I will kill and burn you." He appointed time for that.
Ibn al-Hanafiya asked his followers to write to al-Mukhta`r, the governor of Ku`fa, to help them. He wrote to him and told him that b. al-Zubayr would punish them severely.
Immediately, al-Mukhta`r responded to them. He appointed Abu` 'Abd Allah al-Jadali over a military phalanx. The members of the phalanx hurried to Mecca. They entered it. They raised banners and shouted: "Let us avenge the blood of al-Husayn." They arrived at the Sacred Mosque.
Ibn al-Zubayr had ordered wood to be put at the door of the
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1. Al-Fakhir, p. 105.
2. Al-Ya'qubi, Tarikh, vol. 3, p. 8.
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prison. He had ordered the wood to be burnt when the appointed time would end. Only two days of the appointed time remained.
Then the members of the military phalanx could break the door of the prison and released the Ha`shimites. They asked b. al-Hanafiya to permit them to fight against b. al-Zubayr. However, b. al-Hanafiya refused to accept that. Then, he said to them: "I cannot violate the sacredness of the Sacred Mosque." Moreover, he prevented them from attacking b. al-Zubayr.
1 In addition to that, he treated b. al-Zubayr well.
Concerning the release of b. al-Hanafiya from the prison of b. al-Zubayr, the poet Kuthayr b. 'Abd al-Rahma`n said:
Whoever sees this Shaykh (b. al-Hanafiya) in
prison at Mina knows that he is just.
2
Ibn al-Zubayr was the mortal enemy of the family of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family. He intended to destroy them all. However, Allah, the Exalted, destroyed his government.
The Failure of his Revolt
It was natural for the revolt of b. al-Zubayr to fail. 'Abd al-Malik b. Marwa`n mentioned the reasons for the failure of b. al-Zubayar's revolt, saying: "Ibn al-Zubayr was miserly, stubborn, and self-conceited.
3
However, the Umayyad armies, headed by al-Hajja`j b. Yousif al-Thaqafi, attacked b. al-Zubayr. The latter sought protection with the Sacred House of Allah. He asked them to grant him security over his life. However, the Umayyad armies paid no attention to the sacredness of the House. For the attacked it with fire.
Ibn al-Zubayr was unable to resist the Umayyad armies. Hence, most of his companions asked al-Hajja`j to grant them security over their lives. Al-Hajja`j did that. Thus, 'Abd Allah b. al-Zubayr and few
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1. Ibn al-Athir, Tarikh, vol. 4, pp. 374-375.
2. Al-Aghani, vol. 8, p. 31.
3. Ibid.
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of his companions remained fighting against the Umayyad armies.
1
Some historians said: "Ibn al-Zubayr was sure of his close death. He was unable to defend himself. So, he began eating musk for days. He knew that al-Hajja`j would kill him. Hence, he wanted the musk to come out of his body. Then, al-Hajja`j arrested and killed him. The musk came out of his body. Al-Hajja`j smelt it. So, he ordered a cat or a dog to be killed beside him. For he wanted conceal the musk that came out of the body of b. al-Zubayr.
The corpse of b. al-Zubayr remained in the open air. For al-Hajja`j did not ordered it to be buried. Then, 'Abd al-Malik b. Marwa`n ordered it to be buried.
Economic Life
As for the economic life at the time of Ima`m al-Baqir, peace be on him, it was paralyzed and disorderly. For the wealth of the community was confined to the members of government and their hirelings. They
spent it generously on their desires and pleasures. Meanwhile, they deprived the community of it. So, they made the community lead a poor life. The prices were so high that the people were unable to buy their necessary needs such as food and clothes. The poets described this poor life in their poems. Among them
were al-Asadi
2 and al-Numayri.
3
In his poem al-Numayri described the oppressive governors who did their best to persecute the community.
4
However, the Umayyad kings did not punish their governors for their oppression and tyranny towards the subjects. Rather, they let them behave freely. This led to discords and disorderly political situations. Accordingly, the people in Khurasa`n revolted against the Umayyads and overthrew their government.
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1. Ibn al-Athir, Tarikh, vol. 4, p. 29.
2. Al-Jaiz, Hayat al-Hayawa, vol. 5, p. 297-298.
3. He was an oppressive governor.
4. Hayat al-Imam Musa bin Ja'far, vol. 1, p. 304.
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As for Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him, he witnessed all the sufferings of the people. He felt pity for them, for he was their spiritual leader. However, he was unable to change their miserable economic life.
