Maslama
bin Abdul Malik
In 97 A.H., Maslama bin Abdul Malik
conquered Razakhia. In 98 A.H., a Roman commander named Alqaun came to
Sulaiman's court and induced him to conquer Constantinople. He sent his son
Dawood and brother Maslama to Constantinople with an army and Maslama as the
commander. He laid a siege to the city. When the Islamic army reached the
vicinity of the siege, Maslama asked each of his soldiers to take a handful of
grain and deposit it near the army's headquarters. When the grain was collected
near the end of the siege, it was piled so high it looked like some hills. He
had houses of clay and stone built for the soldiers and ordered them to
cultivate the land and the fields ripened. To meet the daily consumption of
food they also raided the area for grain. The inhabitants of the city were
concerned to see the siege continuing with such a firm determination and
courage. When a year had passed, the Romans sent secret messages to Alqaun the
Roman commander and offered him half of the territory if he could get the
Muslims to raise the siege. He agreed. Then he advised Maslama, "If you
set your store of grains and fields on fire, the Romans will think that now the
Muslims are going to launch a final and decisive attack. Out of fear they will
probably hand over the city to you and thus without loss of life it will be
easily captured." Maslama believed his words and fell into his trap. Though
the Romans had already sent word to Maslama to take the Jizya at the rate of
one tenth per head and raise the siege he had rejected it. If the siege had
continued, there is little doubt that it would have resulted in a victorious
conquest. However, Allâh had not ordained for the Muslims to capture and occupy
Constantinople at this time. Maslama burned the stored grain and all the grain
fields. The Romans were extremely pleased to see this foolish act and it
encouraged them to fight. The Muslims soon felt the crisis of a food shortage.
Then Alqaun with all his supporters deserted the Islamic forces and joined the
Romans. When Maslama had left Sulaiman bin Abdul Malik he was camping at Dabiq
and from there he used to send help of all kinds to him. At this juncture, the
stored grains and ripened fields had been reduced to ashes and Sulaiman was not
able to manage the supply of provisions due to the advent of winter and this
led to starvation began to starve to death because food could not be procured
by raiding parties in the adjoining areas because of the severity of the
winter.
When a Roman commander, named
Borjohn, who was the Governor of the city of Saqalia, saw the critical
condition of the Muslims he invaded them with a huge army. Maslama fought and defeated
him and captured the city. At this time, news came of Sulaiman bin Abdul
Malik's death.
Morals
and Habits of Sulaiman bin Abdul Malik
Sulaiman bin Abdul Malik was a man
of eloquence. He was fond of justice and liked jihad. He had made Umar bin Abdul
Aziz his advisor and minister. This is the main reason that Sulaiman cultivated
good habits. During the period of Banu Umayyah a bad custom came into vogue,
they offered their salat (obligatory prayer) in the last part of the time for
the prayer. Sulaiman put an end to that harmful custom and began to do it at
the beginning of the time for each prayer, which is the correct method. He
hated singing and the playing of musical instruments and had it banned. He was
very handsome. He was a healthy and voracious eater. Once he ate 70
pomegranates, a large amount of raisins a six month old goat and half a dozen
chickens and was able to digest it all.
Succession
Sulaiman bin Abdul Malik had made
his son, Ayyub, his heir-apparent but when Ayyub fell ill at Abaq, he consulted
Raja bin Dawood regarding his successor. First Sulaiman mentioned his son.
Constantinople and is at war with the unbelievers. No news has come or dead.
Moreover, the distance is also long. I can not advise you to declare such a man
the heir apparent." Then Sulaiman referred to his younger son. Raja bin
Dawood said that he was still of a tender age and unfit to stand the burden of
the caliphate. Then Sulaiman asked him as to whom he should make his successor.
Raja bin Haiwa said "As a pious, pure, noble man interested in the welfare
of the Muslims, it is expected of you that you should make your cousin, Umar
bin Abdul Aziz (رضي الله عنه), your heir-apparent
for none better than he is available. Also as your Prime Minister he has the
most experience in the matter of administration". Sulaiman agreed to this
saying, "I also regard him as the best man. I am afraid that my brothers,
the other sons of Abdul Malik may not agree and stand against him". Raja
bin Haiwa said "After making Umar bin Abdul Aziz (رضي الله عنه) the caliph, leave a will that Yazid bin
Abdul Malik will succeed him". Sulaiman appreciated and accepted the idea
and after writing the declaration of caliphate for Umar bin Abdul Aziz (رضي الله عنه) he sealed it. Then he put it into an
envelope and sealed it too and giving it to Raja bin Haiwa he said, "Go
out and showing this envelope, tell the people that the Amir al-Muminin has
chosen the man who will be the next caliph and has also written a declaration
that the oath should be taken in the name of the man whose name this envelope
contains." When Raja bin Haiwa went out and read it to the people, they
said that they would not take the oath until they knew his name. Raja bin Haiwa
returned and explained to Sulaiman, he said that the city magistrate and the
police should be called to take the oath from the people and cut off the heads
of those who disobeyed. Hearing that all took the oath without any further
hesitation.
When Raja bin Haiwa was returning to
the palace after taking the oath, he came across Hisham bin Abdul Malik. He
said to him "I am afraid Amir al-Muminin might have deprived me. If my
fears are correct, please tell me so that I may make arrangements for
myself". Raja bin Haiwa said, "The Amir Al-Muminin has given me a
sealed envelope. He has kept it a guarded secret. What can I tell you?" As
he continued on, he met Umar bin Abdul Aziz (رضي الله
عنه), He said, "I am very afraid that Sulaiman might have
written my name. If you know, please tell me so that I may try to evade this trouble
and rid myself of this burden". Raja gave him the same reply, which had
already given to Hisham bin Abdul Malik.
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