Transcript Zainul Abideen and Politics

Zainul Abideen
and Politics of the Time
By A.S. Hashim. MD
In this slide show:
Discussed in this Slide Show:
Zainul Abideen arriving at Medina
Yazid’s Atrocities
Plan of Zainul Abideen
Revolt in Medina
Zainul Abideen helps Marwan
Ibn Zubair's Revolt
Contemporary to 7 Khalifas
Marwan then Abdul Malik as the Khalifas
Al-Tawwaboon, Revolt In Iraq
Al-Mukhtar, Revolt In Iraq
Abdul Malik and Ibn Zubair
Al-Hajjaj Terrorizes
Muslim empire before Benu Umayya Rule
Expansion during Benu Umayya Rule
‫)‪(Sermon 239, p 357‬‬
‫‪Imam Ali refers to Ahlul Bayt by saying:‬‬
‫ْش ْال ِع ْل ِم‪َ ،‬و َم ْو ُ‬
‫ت ْال َج ْه ِل‪،‬‬
‫عي ُ‬
‫ُه ْم َ‬
‫ع ْن ِح َك ِم َم ْن ِط ِق ِه ْم‪،‬‬
‫ص ْمت ُ ُه ْم َ‬
‫يُ ْخ ِب ُر ُك ْم ِح ْل ُم ُه ْم َ‬
‫ع ْن ِع ْل ِم ِه ْم‪َ ،‬و َ‬
‫ون ِفي ِه‪،‬‬
‫ون ْال َح َّق َوالَ يَ ْخت َ ِلفُ َ‬
‫الَ يُخَا ِلفُ َ‬
‫ال ِِ ْسالَ ِم‪َ ،‬و َوالَئِ ُج ا ْ‬
‫عائِ ُم ا ْ‬
‫ص ِام‪،‬‬
‫ُه ْم دَ َ‬
‫ال ْعتِ َ‬
‫ام ِه‪َ ،‬وا ْنقَ َ‬
‫ع ْن‬
‫ع ْن ُمقَ ِ‬
‫صا ِب ِه‪َ ،‬وا ْنزَ ا َح ْالبَ ِ‬
‫سانُهُ َ‬
‫اط ُل َ‬
‫ِب ِه ْم َ‬
‫ط َع ِل َ‬
‫عادَ ْال َح ُّق فِي نِ َ‬
‫عايَة‬
‫الد َ‬
‫عقَلُوا ِ‬
‫عايَة َو ِر َ‬
‫ع ْق َل ِو َ‬
‫ين َ‬
‫َم ْن ِب ِت ِه ‪َ ،‬‬
‫س َماع َو ِر َوايَة‪،‬‬
‫الَ َ‬
‫ع ْق َل َ‬
‫ير‪،‬‬
‫فَإ ِ َّن ُر َواة َ ْال ِع ْل ِم َكثِ ٌ‬
‫عاتَهُ قَ ِلي ٌل ‪.‬‬
‫َو ُر َ‬
Ali Refers to Ahlul Bayt:
They [Ahlul Bayt] are the life for [Divine] knowledge and the death
keel to ignorance.
Their forbearance tells you of their knowledge, and their behavior
about their integrity
Their silence tells you of their wisdom…..
Ahlul Bayt understood the correct spirit of Islam, attentively and
painstakingly.
They carried Islam's precepts into practice. And all this was not by
heresy or from narrators.
Lo! The narrators of knowledge are many but those who truly
understand it are only few.
Zainul Abideen arriving at Medina
The people of Medina heard the devastating news of the events of
Karbala as related by:
Imam Zainul Abideen,
his aunt Zainab,
and others who broke the news to the loved ones.
The family was devastated, women cried in grief,
and out of anguish, Zainul Abideen's uncle fainted, the news was too
much for him to bear.
The heart wrenching news of Karbala spread fast to friends and
relatives, and all of Medina went into mourning.
They felt very guilty that Al-Husain, the beloved by Muhammad, had
his flesh torn by the swords, and the severance of his head from his
body.
Medina’s Reaction to Karbala news
The people of Medina were in shock, speechless and
feeling very guilty.
This simmering feeling grew for some time, then it boiled
into an outbreak of revolt.
The people of Medina agonized that such a thing could
ever happen.
Their complacency gave way to guilt and this focused their
energy on an intense desire:
to revolt and
To get rid of Yazid of Benu Umayya, the despised ruler.
Zainul Abideen Goes Into Seclusion
Initially Zainul Abideen wanted seclusion, away from the
people.
Seclusion was a form of solace for him, and a time to
collect his thoughts.
For one year in seclusion he would see no more than 3-5
people, no more than you could count on your fingers.
(Seerah of the twelve Imams, H.M. Al-Hassani, Vol. 2, Imam Zainul
Abideen. Also Al-Sajjad, by Husain Baaqir, Page 40, quoting Al-Kash'shi.)
He communicated with these people on religious matters
and points of social importance, but not beyond that.
Zainul Abideen's aunt, Zainab, not only tended to him but
was the principal means to take his answers to the many
questions people asked in religious matters.
Plan of Zainul Abideen
But Imam Zainul Abideen wouldn't spend his time idly, for he put the
blueprint and design for a plan to:
outsmart his adversaries,
work in an imperceptible manner as not to raise suspicion,
focus on Karbala and its consequences, and
gradually begin to educate people into the genuine Islam and build a
base of Piety-minded community,
And to build a base of scholars to spread the teachings of Islam to the
rest of the Ummah,
At the same time undo the inroads of pre-Islamic practices that Benu
Umayya's government was reviving. And to
preserve the Islamic Directives from subtle distortions by Benu
Umayya.
For his strategy and planning
Zainul Abideen's strategy proved extremely successful. The
execution of his plan took the better part of his lifetime.
Zainul Abideen worked:
a) diligently,
b) methodically,
c) imperceptibly, and
d) with uncanny determination.
The result was that we all owe him much of our
understanding of Islam as we know it now.
We are indebted to him and his courageous and dauntless
efforts.
Revolt in Medina
The agony of pain felt for Al-Husain, coupled with the anger
at the atrocities at Karbala were too much to take.
There was an outcry to rise against Yazid and his
government.
The government, they felt, was corrupt if not rotten.
Being the seat of learning, with numerous Sahaaba still living,
Medina was buzzing with activity.
Now the outcry was for everyone to withdraw his allegiance to
Yazid.
Then dismissing the governor of Medina.
Then looking for any of Benu Umayya, probably intending to
punish them.
This culminated in the revolt against Yazid.
Marwan, as governor is on the Run
Marwan was a prominent member of Benu Umayya:
He was the Secretary of State but the source of much trouble during
the time of Khalifa Uthman,
Marwan fought against Imam Ali during Jamal Confrontation,
He killed Talha (who was also fighting against Ali), and
before Karbala, Marwan suggested to the Governor of Medina to
arrest and kill Imam Al-Husain.
Marwan was a source of much trouble to the Muslim
Ummah, particularly to Ahlul Bayt!
Marwan was a foe to Zainul Abideen, yet Zainul Abideen
was a friend even to his adversaries as we shall see!
Zainul Abideen helps Marwan
Now that Marwan and other members of Benu Umayya
were being chased by people of Medina,
Marwan wanted to leave Medina to a safer place.
But it was almost impossible to take with him his family and others
of Benu Umayya for they were about 400 in number.
Marwan wanted to leave them in custody in Medina, but not a
single one in Medina accepted the responsibility.
About 400 individuals were at stake, mostly women and children,
they needed sustenance, safety, and protection.
In desperation, when Marwan was refused help by the
notables of Medina, he proceeded to Imam Zainul
Abideen.
Zainul Abideen in Custody of Benu Umayya
Zainul Abideen welcomed Marwan wholeheartedly even
though Marwan has been his foe.
Zainul Abideen welcomed them as his valued guests,
[all 400] were fed,
had the facilities at their disposal,
were made to feel at home, for as long as several weeks, probably
months until matters of Medina were settled.
Their treatment was so kind and benevolent that some of
them said they felt better in Zainul Abideen's quarters that
in their own homes! (Rabi' Al-Abraar, Zamakh'shari.)
The Revolt of Medina
The uprising of Medina culminated in a ferocious battle outside the
town.
The forces of Yazid were professional fighters, far superior to the
forces of Medina.
The Medina forces were no match, and they were defeated, leaving a
good many dead or wounded.
Having won the battle, Yazid's army played havoc in Medina—mind
you this is the Prophet's city, and the place of growth of Islam,
Yazid's fighters were given freedom to do anything they pleased in
Medina for 3 whole days. So:
Property was pilfered,
numerous ordinary citizens killed in cold blood, and
women assaulted!
People were forced to pledge to Yazid as subjects or be killed.
As a Result of the Revolt
The casualty of the battle was:
More than 1,750 Companions of the Prophet
(Sahaaba) lost their lives, many of whom highly learned
men.
This is beside an estimated 5,000 ordinary people
killed! (Taareekh Al-Islam, Vol. 1, Page 36. Also Taareekh Al-Kamil Vol. 4,
Page 49.Also Seerah of the Imams, H.M. Al-Hassani, Vol. 2, Page 133.)
In addition, a number from Abu Talib's and Benu
Hashim's family were killed
As well as better than 90 prominent men from Quraish
and Ansaars.
Ibn Zubair's Revolt
Ibn Zubair was the grandson of Khalifa Abu Bakr; his mother was
Asmaa', the daughter of Abu Bakr, and his father was Zubair, a notable
Companion.
Ibn Zubair was not much of a sympathizer of Ahlul Bayt.
Ibn Zubair coveted the Khilaafah.
He was a power-hungry man, cruel at times, but well known to the
people of Medina, Hijaz and other areas.
Ibn Zubair was of a mercurial nature, an opportunist, and very stingy.
People knew that.
Ibn Zubair was agitating in Medina, but when he failed,
he escaped to Mecca, gaining their loyalty, then declaring that the
Khilaafah is his, challenging Yazid.
As a result, Yazid's army (which had just ransacked Medina) went to
meet him in battle in Mecca.
YAZID DIES
Yazid was imposed on the Ummah by his father Mu'awiya, though Islam is
against rule-by-inheritance.
Yazid was a wicked man, a pervert. not fit for Khilaafah.
Within 3 years of his rule,
Yazid managed the unparalleled atrocities at Karbala,
the desecration of Medina and its blood bath,
and his army was attacking Ibn Zubair's forces in Mecca at the time of his
death.
Yazid's forces had many confrontations with Ibn Zubair's forces, they even
threw rocks by catapult at the Ka'ba, and burned the Ka'ba's cover!
It was at this time that the news of Yazid's death reached Medina. Having
heard that Yazid had died, his army left for Damascus.
Yazid was Khalifa at the age of 30 years and died 3 years later. Some
say he was a little older when he became Khalifa.
Yazid’s Atrocities
1. Karbala
2. Medina
3. Mecca
Zainul Abideen Contemporary Khulafaa
During his Lifetime,
Zainul Abideen was
contemporary to the
Following Rulers of
Benu Umayya:
3 of Benu Sufyan
and
4 of Benu Marwan
Benu Sufyan:
1. Mu'awiya son of Abu Sufyan
2. Yazid son of Mu'awiya
3. Mu'awiya son of Yazid
Benu Marwan:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Marwan son of Al-Hakam
Abdul Malik son of Marwan
Waleed son of Abdul Malik
Suleiman son of Abdul Malik
Contemporary to Khalifas
Zainul Abideen being
contemporary to 7 of
Benu Umayya
Khalifas:
3 of Benu Sufyan
and
4 of Benu Marwan
Mu’awiya
Yazid
Mu’awiya
Marwan
Abdul Malik
Al-Waleed
Suleiman
Marwan the Khalifa
After Yazid's death there came a time when the Khilaafah was for
grabs.
The son of Yazid (Mu’awiya II) abdicated after 4 months as Khalifa:
acknowledging in a Friday Khutba that Khilaafah did not belong to him,
to his father (Yazid), or to his grandfather (Mu'awiya).
After abdicating he was poisoned by members of Benu Umayya (his
family).
By use of force, aligning with some tribes, Marwan became a Khalifa.
But only 9 months later, Marwan's wife chocked him to death by putting
a pillow on his face and sitting on it. He was 63 years old.
At this time, Ibn Zubair's rule was all over Arabia, Yemen, and south of
Syria.
Also at this time there was a revolt in Iraq against Benu Umayya's rule,
to take revenge for Imam Al-Husain.
Abdul Malik the Khalifa
Once Marwan was killed, his son Abdul Malik
was proclaimed the ruler or Khalifa.
Abdul Malik was a shrewd but capable
administrator,
a tough person taken to violence,
and believing in harsh firmness.
Abdul Malik’s domain by this time was only Syria,
the rest of the Islamic territories were in the
hands of others. (Murooj Al-Dhahab, by Al-Mas'oodi, Vol 3.)
Abdul Malik the Khalifa
Abdul Malik maintained central authority over the many Arab
landlords.
Abdul Malik Arabizes:
Abdul Malik decreed the Arabic language on the administration as
mandatory
to replace Greek, Aramaic, and Persian languages
that were used till his time. And
Tax-books and books of administration henceforth were in Arabic.
All officials were made to learn and deal through Arabic language,
to replace other languages which dominated before then by
indigenous administrative tradition. (The Venture of Islam, Marshall Hodgson,
Vol. 1, Page 246.)
Abdul Malik son of Marwan
Abdul Malik enlarged the Prophet's mosque,
but had to tear down some of the historic buildings.
Abdul Malik tried to show affinity to the growing
piety-minded people (spearheaded by Zainul Abideen)
in Medina to gain their support
Abdul Malik builds the Dome of the Rock:
Dome of the Rock took 7 years to build.
It cost all the funds from Egypt (taxation) collected over a
period of 7 years.
Builders, engineers, artisans, and artists from all over were
employed.
Abdul Malik Appoints Al-Hajjaj
Al-Hajjaj bloodily clashed with Ibn Zubair in Mecca and wrecked the
Ka'ba,
He killed Ibn Zubair who was the grandson of Khalifa Abu Bakr.
When as governor, Al-Hajjaj showed terrifying violence in Iraq, leading
to a lot of bloodshed,
killed numerous innocent people, especially the loyalist to Ahlul
Bayt.
Al-Hajjaj had a lust for bloodshed.
Al-Hajjaj ruled over the eastern part of the Islamic nation,
using ruthless means at his disposal to wield obedience to the
central authority of Abdul Malik.
Al-Hajjaj put down Khariji revolts.
Al-Hajjaj built Wasit and could use only Syrian troops since he could
not rely on Iraqis, the Iraqis hated him profoundly.
Al-Hajjaj improved the irrigation canals in Iraq, thus improving thereby
the agricultural yield.
And he increased revenue to the treasury.
Al-Tawwaboon, Revolt In Iraq
Karbala shook the Islamic world very deeply.
People in Iraq felt extremely guilty.
That they had betrayed Al-Husain in the ugliest manner.
And to correct their error they wanted to fight back.
The confrontation took about 4 years after Karbala.
They were called Al-Tawwaboon, meaning the Repenters.
Vowing to fight unto death, Al-Tawwaboon marched toward
a Syrian force headed by Ibn Ziyad, the killer of Al-Husain.
Ibn Ziyad was near defeat when Syrian reinforcements
poured in at a steady stream.
Being so outnumbered, the Tawwaboon continued to fight until almost
everyone was killed
It is said that as many as 16,000 lost their life.
Al-Mukhtar, Revolt In Iraq
Not too long after the Tawwaboon's uprising a leader in Kufa agitated
to avenge the blood of Imam Al-Husain.
The man’s name was Al-Mukhtar.
A good many people responded to his call.
Al-Mukhtar took advantage of the disintegration in Benu Umayya's
power at the time
The disintegration took place after Yazid had died.
Al-Mukhtar had connections with Muhammad Ibn Hanafiyah
Muhammad Ibn Hanafiyah was the uncle of Zainul Abideen and a
highly respected man.
In the beginning Al-Mukhtar succeeded in his quest
and in a short time all of Iraq came under his rule.
Al-Mukhtar's Revenge
Al-Mukhtar was now reigning all over Iraq and conditions seemed to
be in his favor.
He scrutinized Kufa and vicinity hunting for everyone who had fought
Imam Al-Husain and participated against him in Karbala.
Shimr, the killer of Imam Al-Husain,
Omar Ibn Sa'ad, the leader of the forces against Imam Al-Husain,
and numerous others were all arrested.
They were all executed though not in the cruel manner in which they
had killed Imam Al-Husain.
It is said, most, if not all, of those who fought Imam Al-Husain were
killed, only a matter of a few years after the events of Karbala.
Al-Mukhtar, Revolt In Iraq
About a year or so later Al-Mukhtar had to face a large
force heading toward him, coming from Syria.
The force was sent by Abdul Malik Ibn Marwan the new
Khalifa.
Abdul Malik sent a force consisting of 80,000 strong, with
the best generals,
The force was under the leadership of Ibn Ziyad, the killer
of Imam Al-Husain in Karbala.
A fierce battle took place with many casualties, especially
to the Syrians.
Ibn Ziyad, their leader, and many generals were killed,
and after that their army surrendered.
The End of Al-Mukhtar
Some time later there was intrigue behind the back of Al-Mukhtar.
Through the combination of the forces of Ibn Zubair,
under the leadership of his brother,
along with some local people who were not sympathetic to
Al-Mukhtar,
a revolt against Al-Mukhtar was staged in which he was killed.
As a result Iraq came under the sovereignty of Ibn Zubair whose rule
by then extended:
Over all of Arabia,
Yemen,
Iraq,
and the southern part of Syria.
Benu Umayya's domain consisted only of Syria proper.
Abdul Malik and Ibn Zubair
With Al-Mukhtar gone, Abdul Malik, who was on the throne in Syria, had
only one foe left, Ibn Zubair.
Ibn Zubair's headquarter was in Mecca,
his domain was quite extensive,
and he had been claiming the Khilaafah with the majority of people behind
him.
Imam Zainul Abideen and Benu Hashim, however, refused to give AlZubair allegiance
for they knew his questionable character, greed, and his personal ambitions.
Ibn Zubair was not much of a sympathizer of Ahlul Bayt.
Not only that, but Ahlul Bayt knew that from Shari'ah point of view the
Khilaafah belonged to them and not to anyone else.
The Ka’ba, Ibn Zubair, and Al-Hajjaj
To subdue Ibn Zubair, Abdul Malik sent a large force under Al-Hajjaj
Al-Thaqafi's leadership.
A ferocious battle took place in Mecca,
Ibn Zubair was cornered in the Ka’ba area
Al-Hajjaj ransacked the area and the sacred Ka'ba was damaged by
the large stones hurled by catapult!
Ibn Zubair's forces were no match, and his forces disintegrated.
It is said that was because he was stingy (not paying or feeding his
fighters enough),
They left him rather than risk their lives for such a stingy man!
Ibn Zubair was finally killed with only few loyalists fighting by his side.
Al-Hajjaj Terrorizes
After Al-Hajjaj had defeated Ibn Zubair in Mecca,
he was dispatched to Iraq.
Economically Iraq was the breadbasket of the Middle East because of
the revenue it generated.
Al-Hajjaj was promised the Governorship of Iraq and beyond if he
succeeded in subduing the rebellious Iraqis.
With that in mind, Al-Hajjaj began a campaign of terror,
People were alarmed, in fear, horror, and dread.
Devastation if not liquidation of so many people and families took
place.
Mind you, in many cases this was because people showed
dissatisfaction with the situation!
Al-Hajjaj Terrorizes
Al-Hajjaj was a sworn enemy to any sympathizer to Ahlul Bayt,
and he killed even Companions of the Prophet because of that!
Such sympathizers were targeted as potential enemies of the State.
It is said that as many as 50,000 (others say 250,000) people perished
at his hands.
Al-Hajjaj even put men and women in tiny cells of prison,
so tiny they had to stand side by side like a bundle;
and in the heat of summer —in horrifying conditions
Al-Hajjaj ordered to pour hot ashes on their heads, to let them die!
For such was his brutality and vindictiveness.
Estimates vary from 50,000 to 250,000 people perished at his hands.
AL-HAJJAJ
Because the people could not stand such ruthlessness
A number of revolts took place in Iraq,
But Al-Hajjaj was able to subdue them.
By such use of force, under such tyrannical conditions,
the country was subdued into submission after about 6
years.
Al-Hajjaj was so hated and the conditions were such bad,
that afterwards he had to build a new town (Wasit) to
make it the capital of the province.
He had to utilize only loyal Syrian Arabs to form the bulk of his
forces.
No Iraqi ever wanted to be on his side,
Neither did he trust any of them.
AL-HAJJAJ
During his governorship, Al-Hajjaj managed to kill such Sahaaba as:
Ibn Jubair, and
Aamir Abu Tufail (was the last of the Sahaaba left), and
Even the aged Qanbar, the dedicated servant of Imam Ali,
Al-Hajjaj murdered them because they refused to curse or damn
Imam Ali!
Zainul Abideen remained detached from politics, and passed through
this horrible conditions in the Islamic history with agonizing pain.
He continued to educate and teach Islam during this arduous period
which lasted about 20 years.
Finally the tyrant Al-Hajjaj died of what seems to be an intestinal disease
at the age of 54!
He died almost in the same year Zainul Abideen died.
Muslim empire before Benu Umayya Rule
Muslim empire before Benu Umayya Rule, 656.
Expansion during Benu Umayya Rule
Mediterranean
Transoxania
Spain
Sind Area
Muslim empire During Benu Umayya Rule
Expansion during Benu Umayya Khilaafah
Transoxania
Spain
Sind area
Mediterranean
The three phases of Islam
1. Muhammad
ISLAM
Islam
3. Rest of Imams
2. Ali, Hasan &
Husain
Picture of Al-Baqii 1925
Al-Baqii after it was
destroyed
Al-Baqii before 1925
In Conclusion
Zainul Abideen and the times of Benu Umayya rulers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Yazid’s Atrocities
Revolt in Medina
Zainul Abideen helps Marwan
Ibn Zubair's Revolt
Marwan then Abdul Malik as the Khalifas
Al-Tawwaboon, Revolt In Iraq
Al-Mukhtar, Revolt In Iraq
Abdul Malik and Ibn Zubair
Al-Hajjaj Terrorizes
Be in Allah’s Care
Thank you and May God Bless you.
Dr. A.S. Hashim