The
death of Zeyad bin Abi Sufyan
In 53 A.H., Zeyad bin Abu Sufyan
died of plague. His death dealt a hard blow to Amir Muawiya رضي الله عنه. Zeyad had requested to be made the
governor of the Hijaz and the rest of the Arabs besides Iraq and Persia. Amir
Muawiya رضي الله عنه granted his request.
However, the inhabitants of the Hijaz were extremely terrified when they heard
this and they went to Abdullah bin Umar to seek a way to be safe from Zeyad's
rule. They made a Du'a (prayer or supplication to Allah) by turning their faces
to Ka'bah and all together, they said Amen. That prayer resulted in the
appearance of a pimple on Zeyad's finger ultimately leading to his death. He
died in Kufa during the sacred month of Ramadan. Zeyad had given the
governorship of Kufa to Khalid bin Usuid on his own accord. When he died, his
son Osaidullah was 25 years old. Amir Muawiya (رضي
الله عنه) asked him about the governorships that his father had given to
the people. Abdullah replied that Samura bin Jundub was made the governor of
Basra and Khalid bin Usuid was appointed governor of Kufa, Amir Muawiya (رضي الله عنه) asked him "What governorship did you
get?" Obaidullah said, "I have not been given the governorship of any
territory." Amir Muawiya (رضي الله عنه)
said, "Since your father did not give you the governorship of any
territory, I shall also not make you the governor of any territory
either." Obaidullah said, "What greater humiliation is there for me
than that neither my father appointed me governor nor you, my uncle would do
so." Amir Muawiya (رضي الله عنه)
pondered over it for some time and then he appointed him supreme officer of
Basra, Khorasan (northeastern Iran, southern Turkamanistan, and northern
Afghanistan) and Persia. Sayeed bin Uthman bin Affan (رضي
الله عنه) had taken bay'ah, (oath of allegiance) for Yazid. When he came
to know that Abdullah bin Zubair, Abdullah bin Abbas, and Husain bin Ali (رضي الله عنهم) did not take the bay'ah, he said,
"My father was not inferior to the fathers of these people. I have
unjustly taken ba'it for Yazid." Then he went to Amir Muawiya (رضي الله عنه) and said to him, "My father had not
done any wrong to you. Tell me what is your obligation on me?" Amir
Muawiya (رضي الله عنه) then took away the
province of Khorasan from Obaidullah bin Zeyad and gave it to Sayeed bin
Uthman. He then made Muhallab bin Abu Sufra Sayeed's helper and commander-in-chief.
He sent Marwan and Sayeed to Madinah and Makkah to govern.
No sooner had Zeyad bin Abi Sufyan
died than the Khawarij raised their heads and Obaidullah bin Zeyad, immediately
after taking over launching attacks incessantly and up to the time of Amir
Muawiya's (رضي الله عنه) death, Obaidullah
bin Zeyad remained engaged in disciplining and humbling them.
The
death of Aisha (رضي الله عنها)
After the death in 58 A. H.,
Ummul-Muminin Aisha (رضي الله عنها)
was buried in Jannat al-Baqi. She used to oppose Marwan because his deeds were
not good.
In 59 A. H. Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه) died. He often made the Du'a, "O
Allah! I seek your protection against the rule of young boys." His prayer
was accepted and he died before 60 A. H.
The
death of Amir Muawiya (رضي الله عنه)
Amir Muawiya (رضي الله عنه) fell ill in the beginning of Rajab 60 A.
H. During that illness when he was sure that his time had come, he called for
Yazid. Yazid at that time was on a hunting trip or expedition outside of
Damascus. At once, a messenger was sent to bring him. When Yazid came, he
addressed him thus:
"O my son! Listen to my words
attentively and answer my questions. Now the Decree of Allah, the time of my
death, has come. Tell me, how do you want to treat the Muslims?"
Yazid said, "I shall follow the
Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Prophet (صلى الله
عليه وآله وسلم)."
Amir Muawiya (رضي الله عنه) said, "You should also follow the
Sunnah of Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه) who fought with the
apostates and died such a death that people were pleased with him."
Yazid said, "No, I shall follow
the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Prophet (صلى
الله عليه وآله وسلم)."
Amir Muawiya (رضي الله عنه) said again, "O my son! Follow the
conduct of Umar bin Khattab (رضي الله عنه)
he populated cities, improved the capability of the army and distributed the
spoils of war among the soldiers."
Yazid said, "No, following the
Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Prophet (صلى الله
عليه وآله وسلم) is enough."
Amir Muawiya (رضي الله عنه) said, "O my son! Follow the way of
Uthman bin Affan (رضي الله عنه) he did good to the
people during his life time and was generous."
Yazid said, "No, the Book of
Allah and the Sunnah of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه
وآله وسلم) are enough for me."
When Amir Muawiya (رضي الله عنه) heard him, he said, "O my son! Your
talk has convinced me that you will not follow my advice. You will go against
my will. O Yazid, don't be proud that I have made you my heir-apparent and the
people have taken the oath of allegiance for your succession. You have no
danger from Abdullah bin Umar (رضي الله عنهما)
because he is weary of this world. The Iraqis will certainly put Husain bin Ali
(رضي الله عنهما) against you. If you
gain victory over him, don't slay him and give due regard for kinship. Abdullah
bin Zubair (رضي الله عنه) is a deceitful
person. If you get the better of him, slay him. Always accommodate the
inhabitants of Makkah and Madinah. If the Iraqis want a change in their
functionaries, keep changing them for their pleasure. Regard the Syrians as
your helpers and rely on their friendship."
Yazid then left and rejoined the
hunt party. Amir Muawiya's condition started deteriorating day after day until
he breathed his last on Thursday, 22 Rajab 60 A. H. He was 70 years old at the
time of his death.
He had in his possession some hair
and a nail of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم).
At his death, he left in his will that these should be put into his mouth and
on his eyes. Dhahak bin Qais led the funeral prayer. He was buried between Bab
Jabia (Jabia gate) and Bab Sagheer (Sagheer gate) in Damascus.
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