Hajjaj’s Struggle Against the Khawarij: The Revolt of Ibn Jarood and Muhallab’s Victories

Hajjaj made arrangements for Kufa and deputed Urwa bin Mughira bin Sho'ba as his deputy there and he proceeded to Basra. At Basra, he delivered the same kind of lecture he had delivered in Kufa and threatened the desers of Muhallab.

Sharik bin 'Amr Yeshkuri came to Hajjaj and said, "I am suffering from the hernia. Bishr bin Marwan accepted this excuse. Will you please accept it also and exempt me from going to Muhallab's army." Hajjaj instantly ordered his execution. Seeing that all the Basraites were afraid and began to get ready to join Muhallab.

After expelling the people from Basra and Kufa, Hajjaj also moved towards Muhallab's army. When Muhallab's cantonment was at a distance of 18 miles, he encamped and said, "O Kufans and Basraites! You will stay here unless the Khawârij are totally exterminated." The next order Hajjaj issued created trouble for himself.

The salaries of the army during Mus'ab bin Zubair's regime had been enhanced at the rate of 100 dirhams per head and that increment was still in force and no one had a thought of curtailing it. Hajjaj ordered that all of them should be getting the same salaries they had been getting before Mus'ab bin Zubair's regime, in other words, 100 dirhams per head would be reduced. When Abdullah bin Jarood heard the order, he said, "Our salaries were allowed to continue by Abdul Malik and Bishr bin Marwan. Don't commit the mistake of reducing it."

Hajjaj did not pay any heed to Jarood's advice. He again raised his voice against Hajjaj's order. Masqala bin Karb Abdi said to Abdullah bin Jarood, "It is our duty to comply with the amir's order. It is unbecoming of us to oppose it." Abdullah bin Jarood left Hajjaj's court abusing Masqala. He went to Hakeem bin Majashi and told him what took place. He also supported Abdullah. Then most of the soldiers became Jarood's supporters and all of them took an oath at his hands for the purpose of having Hajjaj dismissed and expelled from Iraq. All those under Jarood's command, surrounded Hajjaj's tent.

Hajjaj had only a few persons with him and he was about to be killed or captured but evening set in and they decided to postpone their action and they all returned to their camps. They did not want to kill Hajjaj they only wanted to expel him from Iraq.

At night Hajjaj's friends advised him to leave and go to Abdul Malik. He was in a quandary. Meanwhile there was dissension among his enemies and Abbad bin Haseen Habti became angry with Ibn Jarood and went over to Hajjaj's side. Then Qutaiba bin Muslim Sabra bin Ali Kalabi, Sayeed bin Aslam Kalabi, Jafar bin Abdur Rahman bin Makhnaf Azdi followed suit. In short, six thousand people rallied round him by morning and at that time, there was a fierce battle between the two opposing sides.

Hajjaj and his men were beaten and Abdullah bin Jarood was victorious but unfortunately, an arrow hit Abdullah in the neck causing instant death. With his death, Hajjaj's defeat turned into victory. Many of Jarood's men were killed and many asked for security of life for surrender and rejoined his army. Hajjaj cut off eighteen heads of Jarood's main supporters and sent the heads to Muhallab. Muhallab had them fixed on the heads of spears to intimidate the Khawârij. While the fight between Hajjaj and Jarood was going on news came from Basra that a tribe of Sowan named Zanj that had settled in the vicinity of Basra, turned rebellious.

After the killing of Ibn Jarood, Hajjaj gave a small army to his son Hafs to discipline them. He wrote to his deputy in Kufa to send an army to stamp out the new uprising. After several encounters, it was put down.

The groups of Khawârij drawn from the cities of Iran, Khorasan and Iraq, had assembled at Dar Hurmuz to face Muhallab and were busy trying to fight and defeat him and then to capture Basra.

When the supporting armies from Basra and Kufa started arriving in quick succession, Muhallab and Abdur Rahman bin Makhnaf who stood against the Khawârij, received a boost. Prior to that, they were fighting defensively due to a shortage of soldiers and had stopped the Khawârij from advancing. However, after becoming stronger, they began to fight offensively and pushed the Khawârij back to Garzoon. The Khawârij entrenched and fortified themselves near Garzoon and began to fight. Seeing this, Muhallab had a moat dug and made a defensive wall around his cantonment. Abdur Rahman kept his army aloof from Muhallab, from the beginning of the engagement. He had also established his own cantonment.

Muhallab sent word to Abdur Rahman that there was a danger of a night attack and so it was advised to dig a moat out around his cantonment. Abdur Rahman replied that he should rest assured; their swords would serve as a moat. He encamped on an open field.

One night the Khawârij attacked Muhallab but because of the moat they could not advance against him. Having failed there, they moved towards Abdur Rahman. The way was open and clear. They kept advancing and started killing. The sleeping soldiers could not withstand the attack and fled in all directions. Abdur Rahman along with only a few soldiers were able to fight and he was killed along with his soldiers at the hands of the Khawârij.

Muhallab and Abdur Rahman were two commanders, Muhallab's army consisted of the Basraites and Abdur Rahman's army was made up of Kufans. The Kufan army suffered a great loss. The news reached Hajjaj and he deputed Attab bin Warqa in place of Abdur Rahman and clearly instructed him that he should remain under Muhallab's command and obey him. Attab resented this and it led to a rift between them.

Attab wrote to Hajjaj to recall him. Hajjaj accepted his request. Then all the Kufans were placed directly under Muhallab's command. Muhallab deputed his own son Habib bin Muhallab to take command of the Kufan army and they were stationed at Nishapur for a year, and continued fighting against the Khawârij. Later there erupted some discord among the Khawârij and they began to fight in two groups. Muhallab did not attack them at that time but was patient. Then one faction fought and expelled the other towards Tabristan, Muhallab attacked the victorious group and killed them. So, in 77 A.H. he was finally able to get rid of the disruption of the Khawârij.

The Khawârij were such valiant fighters that sometimes they defeated an army ten or twenty times their number. Once one thousand Khawârij made an army of fifty thousand retreat near Kufa.

It was Muhallab alone, who was a hundred percent successful against the Khawârij. When he returned to Hajjaj in Kufa after the victory, Hajjaj held a grand court and made the Muhallab sit by his side. Muhallab had seven sons and all of them had shown exemplary valor against the Khawârij. As a reward, they were given an increment of two thousand dirhams per year.

Hajjaj sent an army after the run away Khawârij and defeated them near Tabristan. In 76 AH, another group of the Khawârij, under the leadership of Saleh bin Masrah, staged an uprising. Abdur Malik's brother Muhammad bin Marwan, the Amir of Mosil, deputed an army to deal with it. After many encounters, Saleh was killed. His place was taken by Shabib who took his group to Madain. Hajjaj started sending other troops after them but he could not suppress them. Shabib had only one thousand men. Once he stayed in Kufa unchallenged along with his men and then left. Hajjaj sent fifty thousand men to face those one thousand men and the smaller force routed the larger one. Finally, those one thousand men along with their chief Shabib were annihilated.

Important Events of Abdul Malik’s Caliphate: Hajjaj’s Rule, Khawarij Revolt and Eastern Campaigns

Important Events of Abdul Malik's Caliphate

Following Abdullah bin Zubair's martyrdom, Abdul Malik made Hajjaj bin Yusuf the Governor of the Hijaz. Hajjaj pulled down the Ka'bah and removed the part constructed during Abdullah bin Zubair's regime, then he reconstructed it. Hajjaj perpetrated untold atrocities on the venerated Sahabah. Anas (رضی اللہ عنہ) and other distinguishing Sahabah were tied and whipped. He had great hostility for the illustrious Sahabah like Abdullah bin Umar (رضی اللہ عنہما) because he was always frank and loved the truth. Hajjaj's government did not overawe him nor did anything deter him from introducing people to good deeds and preventing them from sin. Hajjaj deputed a man to attack and kill him. As a consequence of this order, during the next Hajj when Abdullah bin Umar (رضی اللہ عنہما) was making Tawaf (circumambulation) of the Ka'bah, Hajjaj's agent pierced his foot with a spear. He succumbed to the injury and died after a few days. Just as the tyrannies that he perpetrated on the Sahabah prove him to be a tyrant, similarly they also make Abdul Malik guilty because it was he who made such an oppressor the Governor of Makkah and Madinah. Hajjaj and Abdul Malik both had some virtues and they had vices in proportion to them.

The Mischief of the Khawârij

At the time when Ibn Zubair's caliphate showed signs of decline and Abdul Mallik bin Marwan's agents began propaganda and conspiratorial activities against him in Iraq and Iran, a group of the Khawârij who had been living peacefully in the Iranian provinces, started to become awake and active. Mus'ab bin Zubair's murder and the domination of Abdul Malik led the people harboring rebellious thoughts to begin to whisper. After the occupation of Iraq, Abdul Malik made Khalid bin Abdullah the Governor of Basra. When Abdul Malik left Iraq and went to Damascus, he wasn't able to concentrate on the 'khawarij' because the Hijaz and Abdullah bin Zubair (رضی اللہ عنہ) demanded his attention more. Becoming free from the problems in the Hijaz after Abdullah bin Zubair's murder, he dismissed the Governors of Basra and Kufa and replaced them with his brother Bishr bin Marwan and instructed him to send Muhallab bin Abi Sofra to Iran to fight against the Khawârij so that he might exterminate them wherever he found them. He also ordered that Muhallab should be authorized to select Basraites and take them with him. Another strong army from among the Kufans was prepared and sent to help Muhallab so that he could stamp out their disruption completely. These same orders were also sent to Muhallab directly. Bishr bin Marwan didn't like the fact that the Amir al-Muminin assigned Muhallab directly. He expected that the mission of disciplining and finishing the Khawârij with the power of assignments, be under his own command and should have been entrusted to him. Muhallab bin Abi Sofra, in compliance with Abdul Malik's orders, left Basra with an army. Bishr bin Marwan from Kufa sent an army under the command of Abdur Rahman bin Mukhnaf to help Muhallab. At the time of departure, he said to Abdur Rahman: "I consider you to be a more able commander than Muhallab. Don't always keep yourself subservient to Muhallab you should sometimes assert and impose your own opinion on him also."

Abdur Rahman met Muhallab at Dar Hurmuz but encamped with his army separately and began to show signs of his independence. After a few days, news reached there that Bishr bin Marwan died and at the time of his death, he had put Khalid bin Abdullah in his place. Hearing this news, the Basraites and Kufans returned to their respective cities. Khalid bin Abdullah tried to make them see reason and even threatened them, but none of them was ready to return to Muhallab. The conditions in Khorasan, on the other hand, were turning from bad to worse. Following Abdullah bin Hazin's death as mentioned previously, the king of Turkmenistan and Mongolia named Ratbeel began to make military patrols on the border of Khorasan Abdullah bin Hazin's son Musa bin Abdullah along with his father's men fled and took shelter in the fort of Termiz (city in southern Uzbekistan) and succeeded in establishing a separate autonomous state.

Musa bin Abdullah fought and defeated the Turks and at the same time was at war with the governors of Abdul Malik. Bukair bin Washah was the governor of Khorasan. Abdul Malik dismissed him and sent Umayya bin Abdullah bin Khalid in his place. Upon his arrival to Merv, one of the major cities of Khorasan, Bukair bin Washah who had been dismissed by Abdul Malik remained in Khorasan. Umayya bin Abdullah put him in charge of the city of Merv. Umayya then went to Balkh, another major city in Khorasan, and attacked Ratbeel and forced him into an agreement, that he would not invade the Muslims in future. After the agreement he left Balkh and while he was returning to Merv, he was attacked by Musa bin Abdullah bin Hazin, but he somehow managed to escape and arrived at Merv. Musa bin Abdullah retreated. When he reached Merv, he saw that Bukair bin Washah had occupied it and was prepared for war. A skirmish took place between Bukair and Umayya then Bukair bin Washah settled down for a possible siege after fortifying the city. Finally, after a few days, they were reconciled. Umayya bin Abdullah, by promising him the governorship of apart of Khorasan, took Merv out of his clutches.

At Dar Hurmuz, Muhallab and Ibn Makhnaf with the small armies that were left with them, after the desertion of the Kufans and Basraites upon the death of Bishr bin Marwan, were at war with the Khawârij and following the withdrawal of their troops were placed in a critical situation. Under these circumstances, Abdul Malik thought it proper to shift Hajjaj bin Yusuf Thaqfi from the governorship of Hijaz and appointed him the governor of Iraq. Therefore, in 75 A.H. he endowed him with the authority to rule Basra and Kufa and sent him to Kufa. He entered Kufa in Ramadan in 75 A.H. sat on the 'mimbar' (usually some steps or other raised podium from where the leader of the prayer on Friday gives his sermon or "kutbah") of the Jama Masjid (Central Mosque) and ordered the people to assemble there.

The Kufans were accustomed to be rude to their rulers. They used to humiliate their Amirs' and governors. They, therefore, came with pebbles in their hands with the intention of throwing them at the new Amir. But when Hajjaj began his speech, they were terrified and the pebbles in their hands dropped to the floor. Hajjaj in his speech said,

"A lot of turbans and beards are visible here but very soon they are going to be wet with blood. Many heads are present in this assembly, which will soon be chopped off. Amir al-Muminin Abdul Malik examined his quiver and selecting the hardest and the most deadly arrow, shot it at you, in other words, he imposed me on you as your ruler. I will remedy all your ills and lack of discipline and straighten you out completely. You have been the center of much trouble and disruption. Now the time has come for you to be taught a lesson and your eyes to be opened. Amir al-Muminin has given instructions to disburse your salaries and send you to Muhallab to face the Khawârij. After the disbursement of the salaries, you are given three days time. If even a single soul is visible on the fourth day in Kufa, his head will be severed. Remember this is not an empty threat. You will yourselves see with your own eyes. I do what I say."

Hajjaj stood up and went to Darul Emarah (the Amir's headquarter) and began to disburse their salaries. An old man who was shaking due to his old age came and said, "I am an old man. My son is younger than I. Please send him in my place." Hajjaj asked him "What is your name?" He said, "Umair bin Dabi Barjami." Hajjaj said, "Are you the same Umair bin Dabi who had attacked Uthman bin Affan's house?" He said, "Yes." Hajjaj said, "What persuaded you to do such a thing?" He said, "Uthman (رضي الله عنه) had imprisoned my father when he was very old." Hajjaj said, "I don't like for you to remain alive." He ordered that he should be killed and his house ransacked.

On the third day it was announced: "Whosoever stays in his house tonight and does not proceed to join Muhallab's army, he will be slain." Hearing that people began to set out and very soon, a strong army assembled to face the Khawârij under Muhallab's command.

Hajjaj then appointed Hakam bin Ayyub Thaqfi the Amir of Basra and sent him there. Deputed Sayeed bin Aslam bin Zur'a to go to the Sindh. Muawiya bin Harith Kalabi and his brother Mohammad were part of this army, they brought most of the cities of the area under their control, and killed or imprisoned the enemy and after accomplishing this, Muawiya bin Harith and his brother Muhammad killed Sayeed.

Hearing the news, Hajjaj sent Maja'a bin Sayeed bin Zur'a who captured the territory and after a year of his rule brought under his control most of the cities of Makran (coastal area that is part of modern Iran and Pakistan) and Darabeel which are adjacent to the Sindh.

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."