Abdul Malik bin Marwan: Life, Scholarship, Caliphate and Legacy

Abdul Malik bin Marwan

Abdul Malik bin Marwan bin Hakam bin Abul Aas bin Umayya bin Abd Shams bin Abd Manáf bin Qussai bin Kilab was born in Ramadân 23 A.H. His familiar name (Arabic: kunya) was Abu Waleed. He was also known as Abul Mulook (father of kings) because several of his sons sat on the throne in succession. Yahya Ghassâni says: "Abdul Malik was accustomed to sitting near Umm Darda (رضی اللہ عنہا). Once she asked, 'I have heard that you have taken to drinking after being a devotee.' He replied, 'I have turned into a blood-sucker too.' Nâfi' says: "No youth in Madinah was as active, wise, conversant with the Qur'ân and Hadith, religious and ascetic as Abdul Malik." Abu Zanad says: "Sayeed bin Al-Musayyib, Abdul Malik bin Marwan, 'Urwah bin Zubair and Qabisah bin Zuwaib are the scholars of Islamic jurisprudence of Madinah." Ubada bin Muthanna asked, Ibn Umar (رضی اللہ عنہما). "Whom should we consult for verdicts (Literally questions. This refers to questions about Islamic law)" He replied, "Marwan's son is a 'faqih'. You should ask him".

One day when Abdul Malik called on Abu Huraira (رضی اللہ عنہ), he said, "One day this man will become the king of 'Arabia". Umm Darda (رضی اللہ عنہا) said to Abdul Malik, "I knew beforehand that you would be a king." He asked, "How?" She said, "I did not find anyone better than you both as a speaker and as a listener." Sha'bi says: "Who ever sat in my company became an admirer of my superior knowledge but I have become an admirer of Abdul Malik's excellent knowledge. Whenever I narrated a 'hadith', he always added something to it, and whenever I recited a Verse, he also recited Verses dealing with the same theme."

Dhhbi says, "Abdul Malik heard 'Ahadith' (traditions of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) from Uthman (رضی اللہ عنہ), Abu Huraira (رضی اللہ عنہ), Abu Sayeed (رضی اللہ عنہ), Ibn 'Umar (رضی اللہ عنہ), Umm Salamah (رضی اللہ عنہا), Barirah (رضی اللہ عنہما) and Muawiya (رضی اللہ عنہ) while Urwa, Khalid bin Sa'dân, Raja bin Haiwa, Zuhri, Yunus bin Maisara. Rabia bin Yazid, Ismail bin Obaidullah, Jarir bin Uthman heard traditions from Abdul Malik.

Yahya Ghassani says: "When Muslim bin Oqaba arrived in Madinah, I went to Masjid Nabawi and sat beside Abdul Malik. He asked me whether I was also in his army. I replied in the affirmative. He said: "You have raised your arm against the person who was the first born of all the emigrants of Islam. He is the Prophet's Companion and a descendent of Datun-Nitaqain and for whom the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) did 'Tahneek' (This is the process of chewing dates for a new born infant. In this section Abdul Malik bin Marwan is referring to Abdullah bin Zubair رضي الله عنه. And the greatest thing I observed about him was that whenever I met him in the day, I found him observing fast and whenever I met him at night, I always found him standing in 'Salat' (prayer). Remember! Who ever fights against him, will be thrown upside down into Hell by Allâh." However, when Abdul Malik sat on the throne, he sent Hajjâj to fight against Abdullah bin Zubair (رضی اللہ عنہ) and Hajjaj killed him.

Juraij says that following Abdullah bin Zubair's martyrdom, Abdul Malik delivered the following sermon he said:

"I am neither a weak caliph like Uthman (رضی اللہ عنہ) nor a lazy caliph like Muawiya (رضی اللہ عنہ) nor a caliph with weak opinions like Yazid. All the caliphs before me had been eating from treasure (under their possession) I will remedy it with my sword only. You should raise your spears in my support. You hold me responsible to act as the 'Muhajirun' acted yet you yourselves do not act as they did. Remember, I shall torture you to death and the sword will be the judge between you and me. Keep watching what my sword makes of you. I shall tolerate all that you say but I cannot stand your opposition to the ruler. I shall tie their acts around their necks without hearing those who threaten with Allâh's fear."

It was Abdul Malik who first covered the Ka'bah with a silk curtain. Somebody said to him, "Amir al-Muminin! You have aged fast." He said, "Why not? I spend my best wisdom on the people every Friday." When another person asked him, "Who is the best among men?" He replied, "He who though enjoying high status, shows his humility, prefers renunciation of the world though powerful, and does justice though in authority." When a man who did not know him visited him, he used to tell him, "Keep in mind four things: first, don't tell a lie for I hate it very much; second, answer what I ask; third, don't praise me for I know what I am; and fourth, don't incite me in respect to my subjects for they need my kindness."

Madaini says, "When Abdul Malik was sure of his death, he said, "I have been longing to be a ascetic since my birth." Then he called his son Waleed and exhorted him to fear Allâh and avoid internal dissensions and said:

"Be active in war, be an example in good deeds, for war does not call death before its time. Good deeds ensure a good reward and Allâh helps in distress. Be soft in hard situations and shun inviting resentment for a single arrow can easily be broken by anyone but none can break arrows when they are tied together. O Waleed! I make you caliph and in this matter, you must have fear of Allâh. Take care of Hajjaj who has delivered you the caliphate consider him to be your right hand and sword, he will safeguard you against your foes: don't listen to anyone's complaint against him; and remember! you need Hajjaj more than he needs you and when I die, take 'bay'at' from all and cut off the head of he who refuses."

When he was in the agonies of death, Waleed came to him and began to weep. Abdul Malik said, "What is the use of weeping like a girl? Get ready after my death and put your sword on your shoulder with courage and chop off the head of the man who raises his head even a little, and spare him who keeps silent for he would die of his own disease."

Abdul Malik died in Shawwal 86 A.H. at the age of 63. Ihalbi says that Abdul Malik used to say, "I was born in Ramadan; I was weaned in Ramadan; it was in Ramadan that I finished the Qu'rân; in Ramadan I attained the age of discretion; in Ramadan I was made the heir apparent; in Ramadan I was made caliph and I am afraid I shall die in Ramadan." But when the month of Ramadan passed he was relieved but he died in Shawwal (the month following Ramadan).

One day a woman came to Abdul Malik and said, "My brother has died leaving six hundred dinars. I am being given only one dinar in inheritance and was told that I deserve only this much." He immediately called Shabi and asked him about it. He said, "The distribution is quite right. The deceased has left two daughters. They get two-thirds, that is 400 dinars and the mother gets one-sixth, that is 100 dinars, the wife one-eighth, that is 75 dinars and 12 brothers will each be getting 24 dinars. Therefore she will get only one dinar at this rate."

Kufa: Its People, Origins, and Changing Political Character

Kufa

From the Analysis of the conditions of the Kufans so far stated, strange ideas about Kufa and the Kufans grip our hearts and Kufa appears to be one of the most perplexing places on the surface of the entire earth. Abdullah bin Saba and all the conspiring groups scored successes there. It was the Kufans who were in the fore-front in murdering Uthman bin Affan (رضی اللہ عنہ); they were again the greatest admirers and lovers of Ali (رضی اللہ عنہ) and it was they who harassed him more than others and were responsible for many of his failures; it was again they who courted Husain (رضی اللہ عنہ) and were ready to demand the revenge for Ali's death and his caliphate and, at last, it was they who caused Husain's martyrdom and had him murdered mercilessly at Karbala; it was they who first of all were instrumental in demanding the compensation for Husain's blood to prove their love for him in a splendid manner; it was again they who opposed the greatest supporter of the Prophet's descendants Mukhtar bin Abu Obaid and by inviting Mus'ab bin Zubair to attack Kufa had Mukhtar killed; it was they who caused the death of Mus'ab bin Zubair (رضی اللہ عنہ); they showed matchless bravery as well as base cowardice; sometimes they got themselves killed fearlessly and opposed the Kufan rulers openly and sometimes they were so terrified that they executed every oppressive measure of the Kufan rulers like Obaidullah bin Zeyâd without any question.

To understand such contradictory and contrasting traits and situations, we should make an attempt to acquaint ourselves with the conditions and the reality of the inhabitants of Kufa. During the regime of Umar bin Khattab (رضی اللہ عنہ), Kufa was made as a cantonment for those who were at war with the fire-worshippers (Magian/Zoroastrian) of Iran. One part of it consisted of those who came from the Hijaz, Yemen and Hadaramout. They had assembled in Madinah at Umar bin Khattab's instance and were sent to Iraq. Some of them were those who were the inhabitants of the provinces of Arabia, which bordered on Iraq and were comparatively near Kufa and Basra. They embraced Islam at the hands of the Prophet's companions and then joined the Islamic army and could not establish a particular link with Madinah nor had they ever seen it. Some were those whose mother tongue was Arabic but they were the subjects of the kingdom of fire-worshippers and then converted to Islam, they found the Islamic way congenial to them and became its supporters from the core of their hearts and fought against the Iranians on behalf of the Muslims. Some were dignitaries of the 'Muhajirs' (Emigrants) and 'Ansars' (Helpers) of Madinah. When Kufa was made a cantonment for the army and the deputy of the caliph and the commander-in-chief of the Iraqi army began to live in Kufa, the city-dwellers of many cities of Iran were forced by necessity to establish a rapport with the capital of Kufa and because of this groups of Iranians began to live there. Compared to the ascetic lives of the Arabian deserts, the royal and victorious lives of the victors of the countries of Kisra, Nausherewan, Kekaus and Kekusru in Kufa must have been very pleasant indeed: the excess of spoils of war must have contributed its part in enticing them. The greater part of the army acquired land and settled there. Through this evolution, Kufa not only remained a temporary cantonment and retreat but also turned into a big city very quickly and finally, it assumed the status of Iraq's capital. As the population consisted mainly of soldiers and lacked the facilities of learning and teaching, disciplining of morals and self, the temperament and morality of the city, on the whole, was prone to constant change. It is easy to understand that in such a place knowledge and wisdom, thought and understanding cannot be found but sentiments and emotions can be amply utilized. The Kufans therefore always remained under the control of their emotions and whatever they did it was under the influence of their emotions.

That was why whosoever wanted to incite them, succeeded, and whosoever wanted to entice them, did not fail. Whenever they were threatened, they were terrified; and whenever they were goaded to oppose anyone, they obliged. Whenever they were made bold, they turned so and whenever they were made to betray, they did accordingly; and whenever they were reminded of their old loyalty, they began to fulfill its conditions:

Kufa had a plethora of emotions but lacked intelligence. It had emotions, not sense; it had a tumult of emotions but ran short of serenity of thought. Therefore, Kufa was expected to do that which happened. When a few generations passed and the events of the world endowed the heterogeneous elements by chemical amalgamation with a particular shape to its temperament, making Kufa, the old mercurial nature gradually vanished.

A Glance at the Caliphate of Abdullah Ibn Zubair (رضي الله عنه)

A Glance at Abdullah Ibn Zubair's (رضي الله عنه) Caliphate

Following Muawiya's death, his son Yazid did not deserve to be made the caliph of the Muslims at that time there were many people who were more capable of governing and doing the work of the caliphate. Abdullah bin Zubair (رضي الله عنه) was one of them. Yazid's personal life was objectionable and that was why some dignitaries of Islam refused to perform oath for his caliphate.

Had Imam Hasan (رضي الله عنه) been living after Amir Muawiya (رضي الله عنه) the Muslims could have probably accepted him as their caliph or emperor. Had Abdullah bin Umar (رضي الله عنهما) stood for the caliphate against Yazid, then not only all the sects in Islam would have supported him but also a good number of the people from amongst Banu Umayyah would have been seen in action in his support but he never cared to do it. Husain (رضي الله عنه) tried his best to secure the caliphate but the Kufans betrayed him. He did not accept the advice of the people of Makkah and Madinah, and the people of the Hijaz failed to help him. After him, there was none better than Abdullah bin Zubair (رضي الله عنه) who deserved the caliphate. The greatest proof of his justified and legal caliphate is the fact that all the people of the Islamic territories recognized him as their caliph on the basis of their free will, wherever the people were at liberty, none of them opposed him. Yes, Banu Umayyah were his rivals in the matter of caliphate and so they opposed him yet they would have opposed anyone who stood in their way. They re-established their rule in Syria, Palestine and Egypt, with a heavy hand and with the same tyrannical and coercive methods, they managed to restore their rule over the entire Islamic world. Compared to Abdullah bin Zubair's caliphate, Marwan bin Hakam's and Abdul Malik bin Marwan's caliphates are known as the Caliphates of the Rebels. Abdul Malik's period of rule, following Abdullah bin Zubair's martyrdom should be taken as a full-fledged government and a legal caliphate.

During his regime, Abdullah bin Zubair (رضی اللہ عنہ) did not have a time when he was free from territorial battles and disputes. So, if we do not find any new conquests and internal amendments and reformotion during his rule, it is not surprising. He was a great general and horsemen he was a great thinker and governor. It was only fate and destiny that allowed his rivals maneuverings to prove effective and that let him die as a martyr. His personal life was extremely praise worthy from the viewpoint of prayer and piety.

Among the caliphates of Banu Umayyah, it was chiefly found that they knew how to use money and power in establishing and strengthening their caliphate and government. They were very active in getting money, and utilized it to serve their purpose very skillfully. Had there not been created in the people the lust for money, they would never have succeeded and Ali (رضی اللہ عنہ) and Abdullah bin Zubair (رضی اللہ عنہ) would have never met with failure against them. Had Abdullah bin Zubair (رضی اللہ عنہ) like Abdul Malik bin Marwan reserved the treasury for his friends and supporters and disregarded the weak, he would have remained surrounded by many swordsmen and Banu Umayyah would have had to remain humble. But Abdullah bin Zubair (رضی اللہ عنہ) disliked that impious policy and that is really to his credit and befitting of him.

During his regime, the killing of Mukhtar bin Abu Dbaid in Kufa was a remarkable achievement. He suppressed the mischief of the Khawârij very effectively and to the best of his ability, he did not allow them to revolt. If he had not been involved in battles and trials of strength against Banu Umayyah, he would have proved to be a good caliph and considerably promoted the Islamic Shari'ah in the world. His martyrdom marks the end of Sahâba' rule and governance (the rule by the Prophet's Companions). He was the last of the Prophet's Companions who ruled over an Islamic land and whose dedicated and pious life was a beacon and a guiding star. He was the only caliph who made Makkah his capital city. It was not made the capital by anyone either before him or after him until now.

When we read about the brave feats of Abdullah bin Zubair (رضی اللہ عنہ), his brother Mus'ab bin Zubair (رضی اللہ عنہ), his father Zubair bin Al Awam (رضی اللہ عنہ) and also the valor and courage of his mother Asma bint Abu Bakr (رضی اللہ عنہا), our hearts are filled with awe and the people of the world who know and understand valor are drawn by a natural love to them. Wallowing in dust and blood, receiving wounds from swords and arrows in the chest for supporting the cause of right and always advancing and putting the enemies of the right to death are some of life's most difficult tests, yet when done for the right cause they are satisfying and rewarding as well. The strength of heart, firmness of intention and height of valor and courage find their most befitting expression in the dazzling lights of swords, the sharp points of spears and the heavy rain of arrows. Our age is such an inauspicious and unfortunate age that the stories of the bravery of the Muslims, laying down their lives as recorded in the pages of history increase the circulation of blood in our veins for a while but we can not see with our eyes the battleships where heads drop when chopped off by the sword, spears piercing chests, blood gushing forth from the necks, corpses jumping up in the mud of blood, horses running over and mutilating them, severed heads getting kicked by horses hooves and rolling here and there like some macabre fruit at harvest time, the sun hidden behind clouds of dust made by battling horses and men, chants of 'Allahu-Akbar' being raised, men of Allâh excelling one another in exalting the Name of their beloved Creator by laying down their lives and the Divine grace encompassing this exhilarating sight. Such magnificent and awe inspiring scenes were the portion of Talha (رضی اللہ عنہ) and Zubair (رضی اللہ عنہ), Khalid (رضی اللہ عنہ) and Darrâr (رضی اللہ عنہ), Shurahbil (رضی اللہ عنہ) and Abdur Rahman (رضی اللہ عنہ), Husain bin Ali (رضی) and Abdullah bin Zubair (رضی اللہ عنہ), Tariq bin Zeyad, Mohammad bin Qasim, Muhammad II, Sulaiman the Magnificent, Salahuddin Ayyubi and Nuruddin Zangi, Mahmud Ghaznawi and Shahabuddin Ghauri. It is not the portion of the people of weak 'Imân' (faith) and timorous hearts as we are. That is why Allâh has rendered swords, spears and arrows useless and sent cannons, rifles and airplanes into the world instead. Also, strength of heart, firmness of determination, height of ambition and courage, as a symbol and as an expression of perfect 'Imân' (faith) can be better displayed by the edge of a sword than by gunpowder and ammunition.

Martyrdom of Abdullah bin Zubair (رضي الله عنه) and the Aftermath of the Siege of Makkah

Martyrdom of Ibn Zubair (رضي الله عنه)

After going through the letter Abdullah bin Zubair (رضي الله عنه) went to his mother, Asma bint Abu Bakr Siddiq (رضي الله عنها), and said to her: I have been left with no one (to support me). Only five persons worth the name of friend are with me who have supported me until now. The people have betrayed me just as they betrayed Husain bin Ali (رضي الله عنه). Their sons fought with their swords in front of their fathers only as long as they lived. My sons also went over to the wicked. Now Hajjaj tells me: "you too come under my security and I shall give you all you demand". I have therefore come to you to seek your advice.

Asma (رضي الله عنها) replied: You understand your problem better than I do. If you are on the right path and invite people to it, keep doing it. Your friends died on this right path. You should also remain steadfast on it and meet your martyrdom. If you had intended to seek worldly prosperity, you are a great misfit. You have not only landed yourself in trouble but also those who are with you. As for my opinion, don't hand yourself over to Banu Umayyah. Death will come on time. You should live and die like a man. Your statement that you are justified and that people have made you weak by their betrayal, is a kind of complaint that does not come on the tongue of the pious.

Abdullah bin Zubair (رضي الله عنه) said: "I am afraid that after killing me they have my body trampled by horsemen and hang it on the scaffold." Asma (رضي الله عنها) said: My son! When the goat is slaughtered, it does not care whether it is skinned. Whatever you are doing, keep doing it with insight and keep asking for Allah's help.

Abdullah bin Zubair (رضي الله عنه) kissed his mother's head and said: "I am also of the same view. I never wished for the world or desired a worldly kingdom. I took this work because the commandments of Allah were not being obeyed and the people did not shun the forbidden things. As long as I breathe, I shall continue to fight for the right. I thought it necessary to take counsel from you and it has strengthened my will. Mother! I am sure I shall be killed today. Don't be sad. Surrender me to Allah. I never intended to do anything unlawful. I never committed a breach of trust nor did I perpetrate an atrocity on anyone nor did I support any oppressor. I never did anything against the Divine wish. O Allah! I haven't said all these things out of pride but for the consolation and satisfaction of my mother."

Asma said, "I hope Allah will reward you for it. Go and attack the enemy with Allah's Name."

When Asma (رضي الله عنها) embraced her son at the time of bidding him good-bye, her hands happened to touch his armor. She asked, "Why have you put on this armor?" He said, "For satisfaction and strength."

Asma (رضي الله عنها) said: "Take it off and fight against the enemy in your ordinary clothes."

Ibn Zubair (رضي الله عنه) took the armor off and threw it away. He lifted up the end of his shirt and tied it to his waist. He rolled up his sleeves and came out of his house and said to his friends:

"O children of Zubair (رضي الله عنه)! Don't be afraid of the clanging of the swords because applying ointment to a wound hurts it more than what is felt when the wound is received. Hold your swords. Save it, from unlawful killing as you save your face. Lower down your eyes so that they may not get dazzled. Attack your counterpart. Don't look for me. If you do look for me, you will find me fighting with the enemies in the forefront."

Saying that he launched a very ferocious attack on the Syrians. Chopping through their battle array, he reached the rear line of the Syrians and came fighting back to his place. Hajjaj incited his soldiers to the utmost but none dared to face Abdullah bin Zubair (رضي الله عنه). At last, Hajjaj took the infantry and surrounded Abdullah bin Zubair's flag holder. Abdullah bin Zubair (رضي الله عنه) at once led an attack and brought his flag holder out of the siege and pushed the enemies back. He returned and offered two 'rakats' of 'salat' near Maqam Ibrahim (Station of Ibrahim). Hajjaj attacked again and the flag holder was killed at Bab Banu Shaiba. The Syrians had stood guard at all the doors of the Haram Sharif (the honored sanctuary). Hajjaj and Tariq had laid siege up to Marwa from the side of Al BataH (this final battle took place in the holy confines of the sanctuary of the Ka'bah).

Now Ibn Zubair (رضي الله عنه) was attacking from one side to the other. Having offered his prayer, he resumed fighting. He attacked in the direction of Bab Safa and pushed the Syrians to the distant rear. Somebody shot an arrow from the top of Mount Safa. It hit his forehead and he started bleeding. He continued to fight in that condition. In short, he and his companions, from the morning until after the post noon prayer, displayed such exemplary agility and bravery in putting the Syrians to death that the world has never witnessed. At last, all his companions laid down their lives one by one. The enemies rained down stones and arrows on him from all sides threw spears and swords had already left him wounded. At long last, on Tuesday in Jamad al-Awwal 73 A.H. this grand hero and pious man of the world met his martyrdom. With the exception of valor and dauntlessness, piety and prayer, courage and nobility, there was none there to mourn over his dead body. The Syrian army cut off his head. When it was taken to Hajjaj, he prostrated out of thankfulness to Allah. The army raised the cry Allahu Akbar. The dead body was hung on a scaffold at the same place Hajun and the head was sent to Abdul Malik. Another tradition says that it was not sent to him but it was hung on the wall or the rain channel of the Ka'bah.

Asma bint Abi Bakr (رضي الله عنها) sought permission to bury the dead body but Hajjaj refused. When Abdul Malik came to know of it, he condemned and cursed Hajjaj and allowed it to be buried. Asma also died after a few days.

After Ibn Zubair's martyrdom, Hajjaj entered the Ka'bah. The entire floor was littered with stones thrown from the catapult. It was stained with patches of blood. He had the stones removed and the blood washed. He took from the Makkans the oath for Abdul Malik's caliphate and then returned to Madinah. He lived there for two months and considering the entire population of Madinah as the killers of Uthman bin Affan (رضي الله عنه) he perpetrated atrocities on them. He tortured some of the Prophet's (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) Companions. Then he left for Makkah and after pulling down the construction done by Abdullah bin Zubair on the Ka'bah, he reconstructed it. Abdul Malik made him the Governor of the Hijaz and Hajjaj bin Yusuf began to live in Madinah in place of Tariq.

The Siege of Makkah by Hajjaj bin Yusuf and the Resistance of Abdullah bin Zubair

Siege of Makkah

Abdul Malik wanted to persuade the Syrian chiefs to attack Makkah but all of them refused to face Abdullah bin Zubair (رضي الله عنه) and turn the Ka'bah into a battlefield. He then left Damascus and went to Kufa. There he induced Hajjaj bin Yusuf Thaqafi to do it. Hajjaj took three thousand soldiers and left Kufa in Jumad Al-Awwal 72 A.H. and went to Madinah from there he went to Taif and set up camp according to Abdul Malik's instructions. From Taif, he used to send his cavalry to Arafat and they would come back after engaging in small skirmishes. Several months passed by in this way. Then Hajjaj wrote to Abdul Malik to send him some more soldiers as reinforcements and permit him to go ahead and lay siege to Makkah.

Abdul Malik conceded to Hajjaj's request and sent five thousand men to him and wrote to Tariq to attack Madinah and after taking over Madinah, move to Makkah and help Hajjaj. Hajjaj besieged Makkah in the month of Ramadan fixed a catapult on the mount of Abu Qubais and started launching stones. For the Makkans fasting in the month of Ramadan and being attacked by stones was indeed a very difficult month. Getting tired of the siege, the people began to leave from the city. Dhul-Qa'dah followed Ramadan and Shawwal and the Makkans did not get any respite from the severity and pressure of the siege.

Abdullah bin Zubair (رضي الله عنه) went to face the enemy daily and tried to get the better of the attackers but the number of his troops kept dwindling and so his plan did not yield any movement towards victory.

Many Makkans were going out of the city and the shortage and cost of foodstuff had shaken the hopes of those remaining. In Dhul-Qa'dah 72 A.H. Tariq expelled Talhatun Nida, Abdullah bin Zubair's Governor, from Madinah and made a Syrian the Administrator of Madinah, he himself left for Makkah along with five thousand soldiers. That added to Hajjaj's strength considerably and the little hope the Makkans had, vanished. It was in that state that the month of Dhul Hijjah began and pilgrims from a far started pouring into the city.

Abdullah bin Zubair (رضي الله عنه) had allowed Hajjaj to perform his Hajj but he did not do Tawaf (circumbulation of the Ka'bah) nor did he do Sai (running and walking) between the mounts of Safa and Marwah. When Abdullah bin Zubair (رضي الله عنه) wanted to go to the plain of Arafat, Hajjaj prevented him. For this reason, he made the sacrifice in Makkah itself. There was no Imam on the plain of Arafat to lead the prayers and the pilgrims could not perform all the rites of Hajj. Hajjaj did not stop the siege or the rain of stones even during the Hajj and so going around the Ka'bah was fraught with danger. With the arrival of the pilgrims in Makkah, the severity of the famine also increased. Abdullah bin Omar (رضي الله عنهما) also came to perform Hajj that year. Realizing the gravity of the situation, he sent a message to Hajjaj, "O slave of Allah! Think about the people from far off lands that have come for Hajj. They should have the opportunity to make Tawaf (circumbulation of the Ka'bah) and Sai (running and walking) between the mounts of Safa and Marwa. Stop the rain of stones until the end of Hajj." The message had its effect. Hajjaj stopped the catapult but did not make Tawaf himself nor did he allow Abdullah bin Zubair to go to the plain of Arafat. With the conclusion of the Hajj, the announcement was made on behalf of Hajjaj that those coming from abroad should leave for their homes at once because Ibn Zubair (رضي الله عنه) was soon going to be showered with stones. As soon as they heard the ominous proclamation, they set out for their respective destinations. Along with them most of those who had remained in Makkah escaped.

Hajjaj resumed his attack with the catapult. A large boulder fell on the roof of the Ka'bah and it collapsed. With the fall of that stone, a peal of thunder came from the heavens. Lightning flashed and then darkness engulfed the earth and the sky. Hajjaj's soldiers became terrified and gave up using the catapult. Hajjaj consoled and encouraged them and said, "This lightning and this peal of thunder have come to help me. They symbolize my victory. Don't give way to fear at all."

The darkness continued for a couple of days and a loud crackling bolt of lightening killed a few of Hajjaj's soldiers. The soldiers were extremely concerned. The lightening was flashing again the next day and a thunderbolt this time hit two soldiers of Abdullah bin Zubair (رضي الله عنه) who died on impact. This gladdened Hajjaj's heart and his soldiers also heaved a sigh of relief. Hajjaj himself loaded stones and began shooting them. After that, the fear that was gripping the whole army vanished and the launching of stones resumed more vigorously. Abdullah bin Zubair (رضي الله عنه) used to offer his prayer at the Ka'bah and big stones would fall around him but it did not disturb his concentration on Allah and his devotion during his prayer in the least.

The siege continued with the same intensity and force. No supplies from outside Makkah could come in. Things came to such a pass that Abdullah bin Zubair (رضي الله عنه) slaughtered his horse and distributed it among the people. He had a stock of grain and dates. He distributed as much as was necessary for them to survive. The purpose was to stand the siege as long as possible. When Hajjaj saw that his plan was not going to succeed, he began to write to Abdullah bin Zubair's men and promise them security and amnesty to those who would join him. This worked and many of them parted with Abdullah bin Zubair (رضي الله عنه) and went over to Hajjaj's side finally, only a few persons were left with him. His two sons, Hamza and Habib, also left their father and went over to Hajjaj. The third son remained with his father and displayed valor on the battlefield until the last breath of his life. When thousands of men left Abdullah bin Zubair (رضي الله عنه) and joined the opposing side, Hajjaj gathered them together and addressed them as follows:

You can estimate the remaining power of Abdullah bin Zubair (رضي الله عنه). His men are in such short number that if each of you threw a handful of pebbles on them, they would all die. Besides that, all of them are hungry and thirsty. O my dear Syrians and Kufans! Advance now. Abdullah bin Zubair (رضي الله عنه) will live only for a few seconds.

Now prior to this speech, Hajjaj had sent a letter to Abdullah bin Zubair (رضي الله عنه) which read:

"Now you have been rendered powerless. You have become helpless in all respects. Come under my security and take the oath for Amir al-Muminin, Abdul Malik. You will be treated with all honor and every wish of yours will be fulfilled. I have been ordered by Amir al-Muminin to try my best to invite you to reconciliation and not to be hasty in killing you."

Zofar bin Harith, the Death of Mus'ab bin Zubair, and Abdul Malik’s Campaigns Against Abdullah bin Zubair

Zofar bin Harith and Abdul Malik

The siege of Qarqisa has already been narrated. Obaidullah bin Zeyad and the other chiefs failed to subdue Zofar bin Harith and in every attack the Syrians suffered defeat. Now when Abdul Malik bin Marwan turned to Iraq with his army, he gave an army to Aban bin Oqba bin Abu Mu'ait, the governor of Hims, and sent him ahead before his own departure. The purpose was to defeat Zofar bin Harith. Aban arrived and began the fight. Abdul Malik arrived there with a huge army before the battle had rendered any result. He laid siege to Qarqisa. Zofar bin Harith ordered his son Hudhail to attack the Syrians and not to return before the fall of Abdul Malik's tent. Hudhail obeyed his father and launched such a fierce attack that he succeeded in felling Abdul Malik's tent and returned safely. When Abdul Malik realized that it was not going to be easy to win Qarqisa and subdue Zofar bin Harith, he sent a message to him, "I give safety and pardon to you and your son. Take whatever post you like."

Zofar bin Harith replied, "I agree to compromise with you provided you don't press me to take the oath for a year and you do not demand any help from me against Abdullah bin Zubair." The agreement was about to be written when Abdul Malik received news that four towers of the city's gate had been razed to the ground therefore he refused to compromise and ordered the attack to continue. However, it proved fruitless and Zofar bin Harith forced Abdul Malik's army to retreat. Abdul Malik sent the message again, saying that he was ready to agree to all his conditions. Zofar bin Harith said, "I won't take the oath for anyone as long as Abdullah bin Zubair (رضي الله عنه) is living. Further, I want your promise that my troops will not be subjected to any interrogation or revenge."

Abdul Malik accepted all his conditions wrote the agreement and sent it to him. Despite this Zofar bin Harith did not go to Abdul Malik because the case of Amr bin Sayeed was known to all. Ultimately, Abdul Malik sent the Prophet's staff he had with him to Zofar bin Harith. Zofar bin Harith kept this staff as a guarantor and went to Abdul Malik. Abdul Malik made him sit by his side on the throne and honored him and had his son Muslim bin Abdul Malik married to Zofar bin Harith's daughter. Freeing himself from the problems of Qarqisa he moved towards Mus'ab bin Zubair, the outcome of that advance has been narrated above.

The News of Mus'ab bin Zubair's Death in Makkah

When the news reached Abdullah bin Zubair (رضي الله عنه) in Makkah that his brother, Mus'ab bin Zubair, was betrayed and treacherously killed and all of the territories of Iraq went under the domination of Abdul Malik bin Marwan, he gathered all the Makkans and addressed them as follows:

You should know that Allah does not dishonor him who is on the right path though alone, and does not honor him whose supporter is the Satan though he has many supporters. And you should know that news has come from Iraq that makes me sad and happy, news of Mus'ab bin Zubair's death has come. I am happy because his death amounts to his martyrdom. I am sad because parting with a loyal friend at a time of crisis gives a burning pain, which every friend would feel. A man of good sense accepts it patiently and unwaveringly. Who was Mus'ab? He was one of the slaves of Allah and one of my supporters. Let it be known to you that the Iraqis are very disloyal and great hypocrites. They bartered the profit gained from Mus'ab for a petty price. If Mus'ab was slain, his father, brother and son who were all very gentle and pious were also slain. By Allah, we shall not die in bed as the descendents of Abul-Aas are dying (This is in reference to Abdul Malik's father Marwan bin Hakarn. Abul Aas was the grandfather of Marwan). By Allah, none of them was killed on the battlefield either in the days of ignorance or after the coming of Islam. We are used to dying from the wounds of spears and swords. Brothers, beware, the world has been taken as a loan from the Magnificent Emperor whose kingdom is eternal and whose territory doesn't perish. If the world comes to us, we shall not take it as the low, the deviated and the disgraced do and if it turns its back on us and escapes, we shall not weep over it as the weak, the destitute and the senseless do. This is what I wanted to tell you and I beg forgiveness of Allah for you all.

Abdul Malik and Abdullah bin Zubair (رضي الله عنه)

After bringing Iraq under his domination, Abdul Malik sent Urwah bin Anif with six thousand men to Madinah with the instructions to halt outside of the city and not to enter it unless he received another order from him. Harith bin Hatib bin Ma'mar was the Governor of Madinah who was appointed by Abdullah bin Zubair. Hearing of Urwah's approach, Harith left the city. Urwah encamped outside the city for a month without touching or disturbing anything, then he went back to Abdul Malik in Damascus and Harith returned to Madinah.

Abdullah bin Zubair (رضي الله عنه) had sent Sulaiman bin Khalid as the Governor of Khaibar and Fadak. Abdul Malik bin Marwan gave Abdul Malik bin Harith bin Hakam four thousand soldiers and ordered him to conquer the Hijaz. He encamped in Wadi Al-Qura and from there he sent Ibn Qamqam with a division of the army to Khaibar with the instructions to launch a night attack on Sulaiman. Sulaiman was caught and killed and Ibn Qamqam stayed at Khaibar.

Hearing the news of the invasion of the Hijaz, Abdullah bin Zubair (رضي الله عنه) dismissed Harith bin Hatib from the governorship of Madinah and appointed Jabir bin Aswad bin 'Auf Zuhri in his place. Jabir reached Madinah and sent Abu Bakr bin Abu Qais with a regiment of six hundred soldiers to Khaibar. In the battle that ensued, Ibn Qamqam suffered a defeat and fled. Some of his troops were killed on the battlefield and some escaped.

When Abdul Malik bin Marwan received the news, he sent Tariq bin Amr as the commander of the Hijaz expedition. He further instructed him to halt between Wadi Al-Qura and 'Eila' and try his best to stop the Governors of Ibn Zubair (رضي الله عنه) from advancing and capturing any more territory, and stamp out the movement against him there before it succeeded. Tariq did accordingly. He sent a strong army towards Khaibar. In the skirmish that followed, Abu Bakr bin Abu Qais along with two hundred soldiers was killed. Tariq stayed at Khaibar. Jabir bin Aswad received the news and sent two thousand soldiers from Madinah to face Tariq. The clash took place near Khaibar. Tariq was victorious and killed all the captives and the wounded.

Abdullah bin Zubair (رضي الله عنه) dismissed Jabir bin Aswad from the governorship of Madinah and appointed in his place Talha bin Abdullah bin Auf known as Talhat-un-Nida. After that, the state of Khaibar was annexed to Abdul Malik bin Marwan's caliphate and Talha bin Abdullah continued to govern Madinah on behalf of Abdullah bin Zubair (رضي الله عنه). No clash worth mentioning took place between them because Abdul Malik's attention was centered on Iraq and Iran.

Mus'ab bin Zubair’s Imprudence, Abdul Malik’s War Preparations and the Death of Mus'ab bin Zubair

Mus'ab bin Zubair's Imprudence

It has been mentioned above that Basra was ruled over by Hamza bin Abdullah bin Zubair for less than a year and after that its administration was also entrusted to Mus'ab bin Zubair. Mus'ab bin Zubair personally went to Basra and appointed Amr bin Obaidullah his deputy there, and instructed him to go to Persia to discipline the Khawarij if needed, and to depute someone else in Basra. After shifting and replacing the governors and lieutenants of these provinces and staying for a few days there, he left Basra and returned to Kufa. In 70 A.H., the mischief of the Khawarij gained momentum. Mughira bin Muhallab and Amr bin Obaidullah failed to stamp it out. Mus'ab bin Zubair transferred Muhallab bin Abu Sofra from the Governorship of Mosil to that of Persia and ordered him to suppress the Khawarij there. It is understood that none other than Muhallab bin Abu Sofra could have tackled the problem of the Khawarij. He said, "I am glad to go to Persia but to shift me from here will be extremely harmful for you because Abdul Malik bin Marwan has begun to spread his net of secret conspiracies in Iraq. I have been studying his manipulation very minutely. I am afraid if he depart from here, he might succeed in his maneuverings."

Mus'ab bin Zubair considered the urgency of Persia more of a priority to a problem that was not yet manifested. Muhallab was therefore ordered to leave for Persia. Mus'ab had two very efficient and experienced generals Ibrahim and Muhallab. He had one of them part from him. He sent Abdullah bin Hzim as Governor of Khurasan. Abbad bin Haseen was put with Muhallab both of whom were seasoned veterans and experienced generals. Thus, Mus'ab bin Zubair separated his able men from him and sent them to distant places. Only Ibrahim bin Malik in Kufa and Amr bin Obaidullah bin Mamar in Basra were left.

Abdul Malik bin Marwan, being freed from the internal danger to his caliphate by killing Amr bin Sayeed had begun to hatch conspiracies against the rule of Abdullah bin Zubair (رضي الله عنه). He sent his men to Persia and tempted and lured the Khawarij and incited them to revolt. Then he sent his agents to Kufa and Basra also, and succeeded in spreading his net of conspiracies through the supporters of Banu Umayyah. He began to tempt the military officers of Mus'ab bin Zubair by sending letters to them. He went to the extent of trying to lure and bring Muhallab and Ibrahim to his side but they were not the type to betray Mus'ab bin Zubair. That is why Muhallab was very pensive and concerned when he left Syria for Persia.

Abdul Malik's War Preparations

Abdul Malik sent Khalid bin Obaidullah bin Khalid bin Usaid to Basra on a secret mission to convert the people to support Banu Umayyah and oppose Abdullah bin Zubair bin Zubair. Khalid, therefore, visited Basra and initiated the conspiratorial process and won a number of people to his side. When Amr bin Obaidullah bin Mamar came to know of it, he sent an army to Basra. Khalid's men fought but Khalid was driven out of Basra. When the disturbing news reached Kufa, and the state of affairs was fully conveyed to Mus'ab bin Zubair, it was impossible for him to remain passive once he understood the conspiracy.

The disturbing news brought Mus'ab bin Zubair from Kufa to Basra. He punished and fined Khalid's companions and had the houses of some pulled down. Similarly in Kufa too, Abdul Malik's men had been working secretly. The greatest trouble was from some military leaders like Attab bin Warqa who had entered into a plot with Abdul Malik.

On the one hand, Abdul Malik began to make preparations for a major battle, and spread conspiracies of rebellion among the armies of Kufa and Basra on the other. One day, Ibrahim bin Ushtur received a sealed letter from Abdul Malik bin Marwan. He immediately knew what it contained. He gave it to Mus'ab unopened with the seal still intact. When Mus'ab read it, it disclosed that Abdul Malik had written to Ibrahim, "Come to my side. I shall make you the Governor of Iraq."

The Death of Mus'ab bin Zubair

At last, after completing his preparations, Abdul Malik left Syria and marched towards Iraq. He left Damascus after he had received many letters from the noblemen of Kufa inviting him to invade it at once. His counselors forbade him saying the letters from Kufa might be similar to those received by Husain (رضي الله عنه). Abdul Malik said, "Imam Husain (رضي الله عنه) was fully dependent on Kufa. I am going with a strong army. Their breach of trust and betrayal can not harm me. I am sure, once they see me with a strong army, they will not go back on the promise they made in their letters."

At last, Abdul Malik marched with his army. Mus'ab bin Zubair also started from the other side. At the time when Abdul Malik's news of attack reached Kufa, Mus'ab bin Zubair had already sent Amr bin Obaidullah bin Mamar to Persia to help suppress the Khawarij. So even Amr bin Obaidullah was away from the battle. Both the armies pitched their tents at Dair jathaleeq. Mus'ab bin Zubair's army was small because at the last-minute many of his men refused to go and presented lame excuses. A large number of those who ventured to come on to the battlefield were in collusion with the enemy and were waiting to join the enemy the moment the battle started. The fight began and Abdul Malik first attacked the part of the army commanded by Ibrahim bin Malik because he feared him. The attack was launched by Abdul Malik's brother Mohammad bin Marwan. Both sides displayed exemplary valor. Ultimately Ibrahim pushed Mohammad bin Marwan back. Seeing him retreat, Abdul Malik sent Obaidullah bin Yazid with a fresh group of soldiers to help Mohammad because they were in a pitched battle. It was in this fight that Muslim bin Umar Bahli (Qutaiba bin Muslim's father) was killed.

When Mus'ab bin Zubair saw Ibrahim getting mobbed, he sent Attab bin Warqa to his rescue. Attab bin Warqa had already taken the oath of allegiance secretly for Abdul Malik. He fled from the field accordingly. Ibrahim, though surrounded by enemies, killed fighting bravely. His death boosted the morale of Abdul Malik and the Syrians and they were now very sure of their victory.

Mus'ab bin Zubair asked his other generals and associates to move ahead and launch an attack but no one moved from his place. They all turned as if deaf. Only a few fighting and the remaining Kufan soldiers were only spectators.

The Kufan's betrayal this time even exceed the betrayal which they had perpetrated on Imam Husain (رضي الله عنه) because they were forced by Ibn Zeyad and his army not to support Imam Husain (رضي الله عنه) and they were terror stricken to the extreme.

It was nothing but greed and their sheer disobedience, betrayal and ingratitude that stopped them from siding with Mus'ab bin Zubair. Abdul Malik did not want Mus'ab to be killed so he sent his brother Muhammad bin Marwan to him with the word, "The fight has taken a turn for the worse for you. You can never win. I give you security and pardon. Please accept it." Mus'ab refused, saying, "Allah's security is sufficient for me." Then Mohammad bin Marwan said to Mus'ab's son Isa, "Amir al-Muminin Abdul Malik has granted security to you and to your father." Hearing that he came to his father. Mus'ab said, "Yes, I do believe that the Syrians will keep their promise with you. You may go with their security if you like." Isa said, "I shall not give the chance to the women of Quraish to say that Isa has betrayed his father for the sake of his own life." Mus'ab said, "Well, then go to your uncle Abdullah bin Zubair (رضي الله عنه) in Makkah and narrate to him about the Iraqi's betrayal. Leave me here. I have considered myself already killed." Isa said, "I won't go to break that kind of news. You can leave the battlefield and go to Basra. The people there are very pleased with you. They are loyal to you in all respects. Some alternative might be thought out in Basra or let us go to Makkah then."

Mus'ab said, "My son, this is not possible because my flight from the field would become a topic of heated discussion among the Quraish. Better give up this idea and attack the enemy." Isa then took his troops and attacked the enemy and after killing many of the enemy soldiers, he dropped dead before his father's eyes.

Abdul Malik came forward and entreated Mus'ab, "Please go back from the field or accept the offer of security. In his appeal, he was humble but Mus'ab ignored it. That must have been a strange time, Abdul Malik was pleading with his enemy for his safety while simultaneously seeing the consequences of his secret plots. The Kufan army was in the field but it was not obeying its 'Amir' and silently watching from a distance. Mus'ab bin Zubair was puzzled seeing the army that had followed his orders and sacrificed their lives, treacherously abandoning him. By killing Mus'ab bin Zubair and Imam Husain (رضي الله عنه) the Kufans committed a crime of the same magnitude although these two crimes were accomplished in two different ways. Imam Husain (رضي الله عنه) wanted his enemies to let him leave the battlefield and go to either Makkah or Damascus or any other place and Mus'ab bin Zubair's enemies themselves wished him to leave the battlefield and go to the place of his choice. Imam Husain's enemies did not listen to him and here Mus'ab bin Zubair rejected his enemies appeal to escape. The consequences in both the cases were the same.

Mus'ab bin Zubair went to his tent after his son's death, put oil on his hair, perfumed himself, came out and attacked his enemies. Only seven persons were left with him and they were all killed together with him. He attacked so fiercely that he disturbed the Syrian's lines. At last, he dropped unconscious after receiving innumerable wounds of arrows, swords and spears. As soon as he collapsed, the Syrians cut off his head and so in 71 A.H. a decade after, the drama of Karbala it was repeated at Dair Jathaleeq.

Abdul Malik took the oath of allegiance from all the Kufan army for his caliphate on that same battlefield. He left it and reached Nakhlah near Kufa and halted there for forty days. When he felt satisfied that the Kufan's would remain loyal, he entered the city. He delivered a sermon at the central mosque in which he promised to treat them kindly. Then he pleased them with gifts and by treating them honorably. He wrote to the Governors of Persia, Khorasan, Basra and Ahwaz to take the oath from their people for him.

He retained Muhallab bin Abu Sofra in his original position. They all recognized Abdul Malik's caliphate since there was no other alternative. Only Abdullah bin Hazim who governed a part of Khorasan, refused to take the oath and was killed by Bahr bin Warqa after a few days.

Abdul Malik made Khalid bin Osaid and his own brother Bashir bin Marwan the Governors of Basra and Kufa respectively. He sent Mus'ab bin Zubair's head to Damascus. When it reached there, the people wanted to make a display of it but Abdul Malik's wife named Atika bint Yazid bin Muawiya forbade them to do so. She had it washed and then buried. Muhallab bin Abi Sofra also surrendered to Abdul Malik and took the people's oaths on his behalf.