Insignificant Accusations
The enemies and opponents accused this great figure (al-Mukhta`r) of:
1. Revelation. They said that Gabriel came down to him and told him about unseen things.
2. Angels. They said that the angels came down in the form of white pigeons and warred against his enemies.
3. The Garden. They said that he guaranteed men the Garden, and wrote to them letters like Christian indulgences.
3
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3 Al-Farq bayna al-Furaq, pp. 33-34.
( 676 )
They accused al-Mukhta`r of these things because he avenged the blood of Ima`m al-Husayn, (father of the free, peace be on him), ruined the Umayyad government through his great revolt, treated the Arabs and non-Arabs equally, and adopted the policy of Ima`m 'Ali, peace be on him.
Being an experienced leader, al-Mukhta`r occupied the highest position in the society of his time, became one of the historical heroes, who adopted the truth, raised the banner of the revolt against backwardness, and dullness. Hence it was normal for his enemies to envy him and accuse him of false things. As for the accusation that al-Mukhta`r told (men) about unseen things, it is certain that he told them about the occurrence of some events, and they occurred. He took this knowledge from Maytham al-Tamma`r(the most brilliant disciple and student of Ima`m 'Ali, the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him(when he was with him in prison during the days of 'Ubayd Allah b. Ziya`d. Does foretelling such events mean prophecy?
His Great Revolt
Al-Mukhta`r announced his great revolt, which aimed at accomplishing social justice among men and demanding vengeance for al-Husayn, father of the free, peace be on him. He adopted this and appointed as motto for his revolt. Hence his people shouted in the lanes and streets of Ku`fa with this motto: "Come on to demand vengeance for al-Husayn!"
This effective call echoed in the heaven of Ku`fa. It was a thunder-bolt against the traitors and criminals who committed the most atrocious crime in human history. The righteous, deprived people responded to him. Let's listen to the wonderful poem of 'Abd Allah b. Huma`m al-Salu`li, the poet of the revolt. In the poem he tells us about the people who supported al-Mukhta`r eagerly. He says:
The night of al-Mukhta`r astonished the youths and
distracted them from their heyday of youth.
He (al-Mukhta`r) called out: "Come on to demand vengeance
for al-Husayn!"
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Hence phalanxes came from Hamada`n after part of night,
from Madhhajj came Ibn Malik, the chief, leading a troop
followed by troops,
from Asad came Yazid along with all the young defenders
Na'im, the best and strongest of all the Shayba`n came
to the battle.
As for Ibn Shumayt, he moved his people there, and they
did not abandon him, nor did they lose him.
Qays part of Nahd and Ibn Hawza`n came. They all were
humble (before Allah).1
In this poem 'Abd Allah talks about the motto al-Mukhta`r raised for his revolt, and which is: "Come on to demand vengeance for al-Husayn!" This motto had great impression on the Shi'ites, and they responded to it. Besides he talks about the tribes who took part in this revolt.
Any how the revolt was successful and all things went well with it. As for al-Mukhta`r, he undertook the affairs of the country. Then he formed a government including the members of his revolt and the leaders of his party.
The Objectives of his Revolt
As for the objectives al-Mukhta`r sought through his revolt, they are as follows:
1. Equality between the Arabs and non-Arabs
Al-Mukhta`r accomplished equality between the Arabs and non-Arabs in all the rights and duties. He demolished the barriers the Umayyad government established to prefer the Arabs to non-Arabs and singled them out for distinctions. Some orientalists thought that the equality adopted by al-Mukhta`r served Islam and spread it among
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1 Al-Tabari, Ta`rikh, 2/2/637.
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the non-Arabs nations.
1 Filha`wzin said: "Al-Mukhta`r is worthy of praise, for he preceded others in understanding the states standing then. He thought that such states had not to be as they were. Only the Arab elements enjoyed the full civil rights in the State. If al-Mukhta`r had accomplished his original objective, he would have been the savior of the Arab State.
2" Al-Khartu`bi said: "It was al-Mukhta`r who strengthened and activated the party of the non-Arabs. He raised the importance of the non-Arabs, treated them with justice, and defended them. He moved their hopes and ambitions. Moreover, he improved their political, social, and economic conditions. The non-Arabs craved for these rights throughout the time of the Umayyads and the 'Abba`sidis.
3" It is worth mentioning that the non-Arabs were the backbone of al-Mukhta`r's government. Hence al-Mukhta`r entrusted the important offices to them, and appointed them as commanders -in-chief of his army. He was sure of their sincerity to him.
2. Demanding Vengeance for al-Husayn
Al-Mukhta`r was not craving for kingdom when he announced his great revolt, as those who envied him said. Rather, he wanted to demand vengeance for Ima`m Abu` 'Abd Allah al-Husayn, the martyr, peace be on him. He was indignant with those who killed him, peace be on him. When the power went well with him, he ordered them to be pursued everywhere and arrested. Then he ordered them to be killed, their properties to be confiscated, and their house to be demolished. Now we will briefly present some of his measures against them.
Spreading Fear and Terror
Al-Mukhta`r spread fear and terror among those who warred against Allah and His Messenger, killed Ima`m al-Husayn, the plant of
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1 Da`'irat al-Ma'a`rif al-Isla`miya (French Edition), vol. 3, p. 765.
2 Al-Mukhta`r, p. 6.
3 Ibid.
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sweet basil of Allah's Messenger, may Allah bless him and his family, and master of the youths of Paradise. Some murderers fled Iraq and went to 'Abd al-Malik b. Marwa`n in order to seek protection in him. One of them addressed him saying:
I have come to you, that you may have mercy on me
and protect me, but I see that you repel me, hence where is
the defender?1
'Abd al-Malik b. al-Hajja`j al-Taghlubi turned his back in flight. He was among those who took part in fighting against al-Husayn, peace be on him. He sought refuge in 'Abd al-Malik b. Marwa`n and said to him: "I have fled Iraq for you."
'Abd al-Malik shouted at him saying: "You have told a lie! You have not fled Iraq for us! You have fled it because you are afraid of those who demand vengeance for the blood of al-Husayn! You have feared for your life, hence you have sought refuge in us!
2"
Asma`' b. Kha`rija was one of those whom al-Mukhta`r terrified, for he was one of those who warred against Ima`m al-Husayn. Concerning him al-Mukhta`r said: "A deep-black fire will come down from the heaven and burn the house of Asma`'." When Asma`' heard of these words of al-Mukhta`r, he was frightened and said: "By Allah, al-Mukhta`r will burn my house!" Then he fled Ku`fa.
3
General Annihilation
Al-Mukhta`r quickly order his followers to kill all those who took part in murdering Ima`m al-Husayn, master of the youths of heaven, peace be on him. He ordered them to kill two hundred and forty-eighty people at one time. Shimr b. Dhi al-Jawshan(who harbored malice against Ima`m al-Husayn, peace be on him(escaped. However, the men of al-Mukhta`r pursued and killed him. Al-Mukhta`r
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1 Ibn Qutayba, 'Uyyu`n al-Akhba`r.
2 Haya`t al-Ima`m Mohammed al-Ba`qir, vol. 2, p. 176.
3 Ibn al-Athïr, al-Ka`mil, vol. 3, p. 368.
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said: "It is not an act of our religion to leave the murderers of al-Husayn alive! If I do not kill those who killed the males from among the family of Mohammed, peace be on him, then I am a liar in this world. I ask all to help me against them. Food and drink are not permissible for me until I purify the earth from them.
1" A group of those who took part in war against al-Husayn was brought to al-Mukhta`r. They were 'Abd Allah b. Usayd al-Jahni, Ma`lik b. Bashir al-Baddi, and Haml b. Ma`lik al-Muha`ribi. Al-Mukhta`r said to them: "O enemies of Allah and His Messenger, where is al-Husayn b. 'Ali? Bring me al-Husayn! You killed him upon whom you were ordered to call down blessings!"
They said to him: "We were sent (to war against him) by force. Hence be kind to us, and leave us alive." Al-Mukhta`r shouted at them saying: "Were you kind to al-Husayn, son of your Prophet's daughter? Did you leave him alive and give him water?"
2 Then he ordered the hands and legs of Ma`lik b. Bashir al-Baddi to be cut off. He left him in this state until he died. This is because it was he who deprived al-Husayn of his cap. Then al-Mukhta`r ordered the two men to be killed.
3 Then the police arrested Ziya`d b. Ma`lik al-Dab'i, 'Umra`n b. Kha`lid al-Qushayri, 'Abd al-Rahma`n b. Abi Khusha`ra al-Bajali, and 'Abd Allah b. Qays al-Khawla`ni. When they brought them before al-Mukhta`r, he shouted at them with anger: "O You who killed the righteous! O You who killed the Lord of the youths of heaven! Allah has punished you on this unlucky day for your depriving (al-Husayn) of his garments!"
It was they who deprived al-Husayn, peace be on him, of his garments. Hence al-Mukhta`r ordered them to be executed.
4
'Umar b. Sa'd was very afraid of al-Mukhta`r. He sent him (a letter) and asked him to write him security. Al-Mukhta`r did this. Then
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1 Ibid., p. 369.
2 Ibid.
3 Ibid.
4 Ibid.
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he announced before his companions that he would kill a man with great foot, hollow eyes, prominent eyebrows, and whose murder would gladden the believers and the angels brought nigh. Al-Haythem b. al-Aswad al-Nakha'i understood that al-Mukhta`r meant his friend 'Umar b. Sa'd. He sent his son to him, and he told him. Hence 'Umar b. Sa'd, the wicked, became terrified. He mounted his she-camel and fled Ku`fa. Al-Mukhta`r was told about this, and he said: "There is a chain around his ('Umar's) neck, and it will bring him back." 'Umar b. Sa'd passed all the night (riding) his she camel, but he felt nothing. The she-camel took him through Ku`fa and brought him to his house in the morning. He came into his house. Al-Mukhta`r sent Abu` 'Umra and a group of the police, and they attacked 'Umar b. Sa'd's house. 'Umar b. Sa'd stood to take his sword, but he stumbled over his jubbah. Abu` 'Umra hurried to him, cut off his head and brought it to al-Mukhta`r. Hafs b. 'Umar b. Sa'd was sitting beside al-Mukhta`r. His father had sent him to seek for him security from al-Mukhta`r. Al-Mukhta`r said to him: "Do you know this?" "Yes, and there is no good after him!" replied Hafs. Hence al-Mukhta`r ordered him to be killed in order to follow his father. Then he said: "This, pointing at 'Umar's head, in stead of al-Husayn's (head), and this, pointing at Hafs's (head), in stead of (the head of) 'Ali b. al-Husayn. However, they do not equal al-Husayn. By Allah, if I killed three fourths of Quraysh, they would not equal one of his fingers.
1" With this the life of this wicked traitor, 'Umar b. Sa'd, ended. This is because he warred against Allah and His Messenger, and spared no effort to spread corrupt in the earth. He thought that he would through murdering al-Husayn enjoy the power over al-Ray, live in ease, plenty, and kingdom. However, Allah disappointed his expectations. That was when Ibn Ziya`d broke his covenant concerning appointing him as governor over al-Ray. Hence he stayed in Ku`fa and was liable to curses until al-Mukhta`r killed him and sent him to the Fire!
Among those who were punished justly was Harmala b. Ka`hil,
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1 Al-Ka`mil, vol. 3, p. 37.
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the criminal, who killed 'Abd Allah, baby of Ima`m al-Husayn. This wicked person, Harmala, saddened the Alids through this crime of his. Al-Minha`l b. 'Umar narrated: "When I wanted to leave Mecca, I visited 'Ali b. al-Husayn, and he said to me: 'O Minha`l, what did Harmala b. Ka`hil al-Asadi do?'
"I have left him alive in Ku`fa," I (al-Minha`l) replied.
The Ima`m raised his hands toward the heaven and supplicated warmly saying: "O Allah, let him (Harmala) taste the heat of iron! O Allah, let him taste the heat of the Fire!"
Al-Minha`l said: "When I returned to Ku`fa, I visited al-Mukhta`r, who was my friend. I greeted him, but he was busy thinking and waiting for a certain affair. Moments ago, then Harmala b. Ka`hil was brought. Al-Mukhta`r ordered a fire to be prepared, Harmala's limbs to be cut off and thrown into the fire.
1 Hence I exclaimed: 'Allah is Great!' Al-Mukhta`r turned to me and said: 'Exclaiming Allah is Great is good. Why have you exclaimed?' I (al-Minha`l) told him about the supplication of Ima`m 'Ali b. al-Husayn. This was great with al-Mukhta`r. He fasted his daytime to show thanksgiving to Allah for responding to the supplication of 'Ali b. al-Husayn at his hand." Al-Mukhta`r killed those who killed Ima`m al-Husayn, peace be on him, filled their houses with bereavement, sadness and mourning.
The Murder of Ibn Ziya`d, the Tyrannical
Al-Mukhta`r knew that 'Abd al-Malik b. Marwa`n had appointed 'Ubayd Allah b. Ziya`d as commander over a huge army and sent him to conquer Ku`fa, that he commanded him to permit his soldiers to violate it for three days, as Yazid b. Mu'a`wiya did in Medina, (the city of) the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family. Hence al-Mukhta`r prepared a strong believing army from among those who showed friendship toward the Household of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, and harbored malice against the Umayyads. Then he appointed Ibra`him b. Malik al-Ashter as commander over the
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1 Ithba`t al-Huda`t, vol. 5, p. 214.
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army. The Army of Ibn Ziya`d surpassed Al-Mukhta`r's Army in number and equipment. However, it suffered low spirits and faith in war. The two armies met at a terrible battle, but Allah granted victory to the troops of Islam and faith. Accordingly the Syrian Army was defeated and suffered heavy casualties. As for Ibra`him, he killed 'Ubayd Allah b. Ziya`d with his own sword. He also killed al-Husayn b. Numayr and other Syrian commanders. Then he ordered their heads to be brought to al-Mukhta`r, who became very pleased with seeing them.
The historians said: "A snake came into the mouth of the head of Ibn Marja`na ('Ubayd Allah b. Ziya`d) and went out of its nostril, an then it did this several times.
1" Then al-Mukhta`r sent the head to Ima`m 'Ali b. al-Husayn and ordered the messenger to put it before the Ima`m at the time when food was placed on the table-clothe after finishing the noon prayers. The messenger came to the door of the Ima`m at the time when the people went to have food, and then he called out: "O Household of the Prophet, Origin of the Message, Place of descent of the angels, the House of Revelation, I am the messenger of al-Mukhta`r b. Abu` 'Ubayda, and the head of 'Ubayd Allah b. Ziya`d is with me!" Hence all the Alid womenfolk in the houses of the Ha`shimites cried.
2 They remembered the crimes Ibn Marja`na ('Ubayd Allah b. Ziya`d) committed against the Prophet's womenfolk.
When the Ima`m saw the head of 'Ubayd Allah b. Ziya`d, he prostrated himself in prayer, thanked Allah for this, and said: "Praise belongs to Allah who has not made me die until he has fulfill what he had promised and punished my enemy!"
3 Then the Ima`m turned to those who were present and said to them: "Glory be to Allah! None is deceived by the world except him who shows ingratitude toward Allah's favors! The head of Abi 'Abd Allah (al-Husayn) was sent to Ibn Ziya`d at the time when he was having lunch!
4"
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1 Ibn al-Athïr, al-Ka`mil, vol. 3, p. 381.
2 Al-Ya'qu`bi, Ta`rikh, vol. 3, p. 6.
3 Gha`yat al-Ikhtisa`r, p. 156. Quttb al-Ra`wandi, Da'awa`t, p. 59.
4 Al-'Aqdd al-Farïd, vol. 5, p. 143.
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The historians said: "None saw Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him, smiling from the day when his father was martyred, except on the day when he saw the head of b. Marja`na ('Ubayd Allah b. Ziya`d). He had camels, and they carried fruit for him from Syrian. Hence , peace be on him, ordered the fruit to be divided among the people of Medina.
1"
All the Muslims were delighted when they heard of the death of 'Ubayd Allah b. Ziya`d. All the people cursed him. The poets satirized him and gloated over his death. Yazid b. al-Mufarragh said:
When death visits a tyrant, it tears apart the curtains of
chamberlains and gatekeepers.
I say at his death: Away with the son of the lowly, wicked
woman!
You were not jostled for power, and you defended it,
nor did you belong to the people.
You do not belong to Naza`r and Jadhim Dhi Yumn;
you are a mere rock when you are thrown into the flame!
The earth refuse to accept their dead. How does it accept
a dirty one in garments?2
The poet added: Allah killed at al-Za`b him who lived
trickier and died slave!3
Sura`qa al-Ba`riqi praised Ibra`him al-Ashtar saying:
A young man from among the chiefs of Madhhajj has
come to you. He is bold against the enemies and does not
recoil (from fighting).
Hence, Ibn Ziya`d, draw on yourself the greatest death, and
taste the sharp sword!
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1 Al-Ya'qu`bi, Ta`rikh, vol. 3, p. 6.
2 Al-Ka`mil, vol. 3, p. 381.
3 Al-'Aqdd al-Farïd, vol. 5, p. 143.
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May Allah reward the Troops of Allah, for they have
quenched my thirst upon 'Ubayd Allah.1
'Umayr b. al-Habba`b al-Salmi satirized the Army of 'Ubayd Allah b. Ziya`d saying:
The army which brings together wine and fornication does
not triumph when its meets an enemy.2
The army which hurried along with 'Ubayd Allah b. Ziya`d was composed of a criminal band which did not believe in Allah and the hereafter. Rather it hurried with him to look for its interests and purposes. Any how, al-Mukhta`r gladdened the Alids when he killed 'Ubayd Allah b. Ziya`d and his criminal friends, who took part in murdering Ima`m al-Husayn, Lord of the youths of Heaven. He did not confine himself to this great act toward the Alids, rather he gave them a lot of money. He sent twenty thousand dinars to Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, and he accepted it and built the houses of the children of 'Aqil, which were destroyed by the Umayyads.
3 He give as gift a lot of money to the Ima`m, Mohammed b. al-Hanafiya, and the rest of the Alids.
Al-Mukhta`r was one of the good things of the world, object of pride of the Arab and Islamic communities, and hero of history. He revolted against the Umayyads to support the truth and to adopt the fatal affairs of the community. Through his immortal revolt Allah gladdened the hearts of the believers. For he destroyed that traitorous band and made it taste the outcomes of its evil deeds. With this we will end our speech about the revolt of al-Mukhta`r.
The Revolt of Ibn al-Zubayr
The people of al-Hija`z harbored malice against the Umayyads. This is because the Umayyads attacked during the days of Yazid
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1 Al-Ka`mil, vol. 3, p. 381.
2 Ibid., p. 382.
3 Safïnat al-Biha`r, vol. 1, p. 435.
( 686 )
Medina (the City of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family), and the Holy Kaaba, which are the object of pride of Muslims. When Ibn al-Zubayr summoned the people of al-Hija`z to pledge allegiance to him, the overwhelming majority of them responded to him. Al-Hija`z and other Islamic countries were ready to support Ibn al-Zubayr. However, Ibn al-Zubayr was not worthy of this important office. He did not take care of saving the community from the wrongdoing of the Umayyads, nor did he take care of its interests. Rather he wanted kingdom and authorities. 'Abd Allah b. 'Umar recognized the qualities and inclinations of Ibn al-Zubayr. His wife asked him to pledge allegiance to Ibn al-Zubayr, and he said to her: "Have you not seen the date-palms which Mu'a`wiya visited? Surely, Ibn al-Zubayr wants nothing except them!
1"
Ibn al-Zubayr showed worship. He clung to the Sacred House. He sometimes circled it, and sometimes prayed in it. He did all this to deceive the simple. Concerning him, Ima`m 'Ali, the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him, said: "Ibn al-Zubayr will set up the snare of the religion to choose the world!"
2 Ibn al-Zubayr had black past, for it was he who warred against Ima`m 'Ali, the trustee of Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, and the gate of the city of his knowledge. It was he who urged his father al-Zubayr to wage war against him. Through this he encouraged the Umayyads to announce an armed mutiny against the legal authority of Ima`m 'Ali, and then they held the reins of the government.
The people disliked Ibn al-Zubayr and hated his government. This is because he was a miser. It was said that he gave money to the poor from the Public Treasury as if he gave to them from his father's inheritance!
3 Al-Fakhri said: "His miserliness was abundant, hence power did not go well with him.
4" Abu` Hurra criticized him for miserliness saying:
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1 Haya`t al-Ima`m al-Husayn, vol. 2, p. 310.
2 Sharh Nahjj al-Bala`gha, vol. 7, p. 24.
3 Al-Ya'qu`bi, Ta`rikh, vol. 3, p. 9.
4 Al-Fakhri, p. 105.
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The non-Arabs have admonished the Caliph and
complained to him of hunger and poverty.
What is against us? What has befallen us? Which a king
has overcome that which is all around us?1
Ibn al-Zubayr wanted to conceal his miserliness from the people saying: "My stomach is a span of the hand, hence it holds nothing of the world! It is I who seek refuge in the House and seek sanctuary in the Lord!"
2 These words of him made the people laugh at him. This is because the people knew that he was like a wolf, that he did not abstain from plundering their possessions, and that he bit the properties of Allah as the camels bit spring plants!
Al-Dahha`k b. Fayru`z ridiculed him saying:
You have told us that a handful (of food) satisfies you,
that your stomach is a span of the hand or less than it.
However, when you attain a thing, you burn it as the shiny
fire burns the nabk wood.
If you repay a relative or do (him) a favor, then affection
will return you to 'Amru`.3
The political analysts ascribed the overthrowing of his government to his miserliness and psychological weakness. They said that if the government went well with him, he would spread miserliness and poverty among the people.
His Detesting the Alids
Ibn al-Zubayr detested the Household of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, and harbored malice against them to the extent that he left calling down blessings upon the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, in his sermons. He was asked about this and
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1 Haya`t al-Ima`m al-Ba`qir, vol. 2, p. 180.
2 Abu` al-Farajj al-Asfaha`ni, al-Agha`ni, vol. 1, p. 22.
3 Haya`t al-Ima`m al-Ba`qir, vol. 2, p. 180.
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he replied: "For he (the Prophet) has evil family who crane their neck when they hear his name!
1"
Ibn al-Zubayr said to Ibn 'Abba`s: "I have concealed detest toward you, the members of this House, for forty years!
2" This rude person (Ibn al-Zubayr) denied the Household of the Messenger who were the source of awareness and thought in Islam. Moreover, he forget the bounty of the great Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, toward his people when he saved them from the poor life in the desert, built for them glory and kingdom, made them the masters of nations and peoples.
His Arresting the Alids
Ibn al-Zubayr asked the Alids to pledge allegiance to him, but they refused to accept this and said: "We will not pledge allegiance (to you) until the members of the community come together." Hence he ordered his policemen to arrest them, and they arrested them at Zamzam, threatened them with death and burning. Then Ibn al-Zubayr appointed for them a fixed time. Some followers of b. al-Hanafiya advised him to ask help from al-Mukhta`r, the ruler of Iraq. Accordingly, Ibn al-Hanafiya wrote to al-Mukhta`r and told him about the conditions of the Alids in al-Hija`z. At once, al-Mukhta`r responded to him. He appointed 'Abd Allah al-Jadali as commander over some military troops and commanded him to hurry to al-Hija`z. 'Abd Allah took his troops and hurried to Mecca. When they reached it, they raised their banners and called out: "Come on to demand vengeance for al-Husayn!" Then they arrived at the Holy Mosque (in Mecca). As for Ibn al-Zubayr, he ordered wood to be prepared at the gate of the prison where the Alids were. He intended to burn them. However, the troops broke into the prison and took the Alids out of it. Then they asked Mohammed b. al-Hanafiya to permit them to war against Ibn al-Zubayr, but he refused their request and said to them: "I do not regard
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1 Al-Ya'qu`bi, Ta`rikh, vol. 3, p. 8.
2 Al-Mas'u`di, Muru`jj al-Dhahab, vol. 3, p. 26.
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(fighting) in Mecca as lawful!" Concerning the salvation of Mohammed b. al-Hanafiya from the prisons of Ibn al-Zubayr, Ibn 'Abd al-Rahma`n, a great poet, said:
If the people see this chief at al-Khif, part of Mina`, they will
recognize that he is not a wrongdoer.
He is named by the name of the Prophet (the chosen),
and is his cousin. He releases those who are in shackles
and profits the doubters.
He is lofty. He does not buy error for the right direction,
nor does he fear the blame of a blamer for the sake of
Allah.
We have recited Allah's Book through praising Him at this
Khif of the unlawful, where pigeons are safe, and the
enemy is like the peaceful friend.
Happiness will not subsist for the people of the world, nor
will intense affliction last.
You tell him whom you meet that you are a seeker of
refuge (in Allah); rather the seeker of refuge (in Him)
is he who is oppressed in a terrible prison!1
I (the author) firmly believe that Ibn al-Zubayr would have killed all the Alids if the affairs had gone well with him. However, Allah, the Exalted, ruined Ibn al-Zubayr's power through His kindness!
The Overthrowing of his Government
It was normal for the people to overthrow the government of Ibn al-Zubayr, for he was afflicted by miserliness, dictatorship, and vain glory, as Abd al-Malik b. Marwa`n said.
2 Any how, the Umayyad
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1 Abu` al-Farajj al-Asfaha`ni, al-Agha`ni, vol. 8, p. 31.
2 Haya`t al-Ima`m al-Ba`qir, vol. 2, p. 183.
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troops headed by al-Hajja`j b. Yousif al-Thaqafi advanced against Ibn al-Zubayr and occupied Mecca. Ibn al-Zubayr sought protection with the Sacred House. He expected safety and salvation. He imagined that his seeking protection with the Sacred House would profit him, that the Umayyads would not aggress against him. However, he made a mistake in this because the Umayyads did not respect Allah, nor did they respect His House. Any how, the Umayyads began throwing fire at Ibn al-Zubayr. Hence his companions abandoned him and asked al-Hajja`j for security, and he granted them this. Only few persons stayed with Ibn al-Zubayr, hence the Umayyad troops attacked Ibn al-Zubayr, and then al-Hajja`j ordered him to be crucified beside the Holy Mosque. He remained crucified. Al-Hajja`j did not allow anyone to bury him until 'Abd al-Malik ordered him to be buried. With this we will end our speech about the revolt of Ibn al-Zubayr, who aimed through his revolt at accomplishing his personal desires, paying no attention to the interests of the community and its achievements.
These are some of the revolts which broke out in that time. They resulted from the political pressure of the Umayyads against the community. The revolts aimed at accomplishing tranquillity, security, preventing the authorities from pursuing the free and the Muslim thinkers.
