3. Leave my way free and let me go to Yazid in Damascus. For your

satisfaction, you may follow me. I shall go to Yazid and settle my affairs directly with him as my elder brother Imam Hasan= .11 0') did with Amir Muawiya. Amr bin Sad was very pleased to hear what he said and replied that he was not in a position to give him the final reply in this matter. He further said that he would inform Obaidullah bin Zeyad at once, and he was sure that he would agree to any of the three points. Amr bin Sad was camped on the same plain he wrote to Ibn Zeyad a detailed account of the meeting, this took place on Muharram 2, 61 A.H. Obaidullah bin Zeyad was overjoyed reading Amr bin Sad's letter.

He said, "Imam Husain = .11 0'J has spoken in a way that will put a stop The History of Islam to all evil disorders and by going to Yazid he will take ba'it (the oath of allegiance), and then there will be no longer any danger." Shimr Dhul Jaushan was p.r,esent there at the time. He said, 110 Amir! You have an opportunity now. You may kill the Imam without hesitation. No one will blame you. However, if he goes to Yazid, you will no longer be honored and respected in comparison to him and he will be able to enjoy a greater status than you." When Ibn Zeyad heard this, he wrote to Amr bin Sad. 11 All these three alternatives cannot be accepted.

The one thing acceptable is: let Imam Husain= 11 ,.?J surrender before me and take the oath of allegiance for Yazid at my hands as his deputy and then I shall send him to Yazid on my own." On the receipt of this reply, Amr bin Sad informed Imam Husain 11 .,i"J ~ that he was helpless and said that Ibn Zeyad first wanted ba'it at his hands and did not agree to any other proposal. Imam Husain 11 ..r"J 4--'->- replied that it was better for him to die than take bay'at on Ibn Ziyad's hand. Ibn Sad was trying his best to avoid bloodshed. He wanted that either Imam Husain Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) and send it to me. If you hesitate even a little, then the bearer of this letter, who is a military officer, has been ordered to arrest you and bring you to me while the army should remain camped there and wait for the next commander whom I shall send in your place." Taking the letter Jowira reached Ibn Sad on Thursday Muharram 9, 61 A.H. Ibn Sad was sitting in his camp at that time.

As soon as he read the letter, he stood up, mounted on his horse and ordered his army to get ready and said to Jowira, " Bear witness that as soon as I have read the Amir's order, I have complied with it." Then he set the rows of soldiers and taking Jowira along moved forward. He sent for Imam Husain -= :.1 ..,.-:,,J and acquainted him with the contents of the letter and the herald. Imam Husain -= :.1 ..,.-:,,J asked him to grant one days' time. Ibn Sad looked towards Jowira who said that the next day was not far and that he should be granted the time. Ibn Sad returned from the field and ordered the soldiers to relax because there would not be any fighting on that day. After sending his order through Jowira, Obaidullah bin Zeyad thought that if Ibn Sad showed slackness and Jowira made him captive the army would become bewildered and scattered without their commander and just possibly they might join Imam Husain 11 ..,.-:,,J =.

In that case, it would be very a difficult situation and Imam Husain ~ 11 ~ J would have time to escape to Makkah and get out of their reach. He at once called Shimr Dhul Jaushan to him and said I have sent Jowira with the order that if Ibn Sad hesitated, he should be arrested and brought to me. I suspect him to be a hypocrite. If Jowira arrests Ibn Sad, the army will be in the field without a leader and may falter and be lost. I can't find anybody else better than you for this task. Go to KarbaJa and if lbn Sad is arrested, take command of the army, fight with Imam Husain-= .'i,1 ..,.-:,,.; and cut of his head and bring it to me.

If Ibn Sad is not arrested and is hesitant in fighting, go and start it and finish the work at once." Shimr said to him, "I have a condition. You know that my sister Umm Lambeen bint Haram was Ali's wife who bore him four sons named Obaidullah, Jafar, Uthman, and Abbas. They are present on the plain of Karbala along with their brother Husain= .'i,1 ..,.-:,,J. Give me protection for their lives. Obaidullah The History of Islam bin Zeyad at once had a paper brought to him and wrote Aman - pardon and safety, sealed it and gave it to Shimr and sent him off. Jowira left at night and early on Thursday morning reached the army at Karbala.

Shimr left in the morning and reached at Asr time (late afternoon). He briefed him with all that occurred. Shimr said, "I would not have granted him even a single moment. Either get ready at once or hand over the army to me." lbn Sad sat on the horse and taking Shimr with him, went to Imam Husain = .'iii Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) enemies were camping nearby and would be pleased to hear them cry and the companions would feel discouraged and that they should not lament. He silenced them only after a great effort and came out and said that he was surely wrong in bringing children and women with him and that they should not have been brought. Then he called all his companions to him and said, "You may leave and go wherever you think best.

No one will hurt you because the enemies are concerned with me. Your leaving would be a benefit for them. I allow you to save your lives." His companions said, "We will never part with you. We will sacrifice our lives for you and as long as we breathe, we will not let any harm come to you." Later that same night, a man named Tarmah bin Adi who was visiting the vicinity and had heard about Imam Husain's plight said to him, "Please come along with me alone. I shall take you along such a route that no one will know you have left. I shall then take you to the Tribe of Tai and give you five thousand soldiers from my tribe.

You may use them as you like." Imam Husain = ...'i,1 Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) retaliation. Tell me how have you concluded shedding my blood to be lawful. Having retired from worldly pursuits and disputes, I was staying in Madinah at the feet of the Prophet ~ but you did not let me live even there. I was then engaged in Allah's worship in the House of Allah in Makkah. You people of Kufa did not let me take rest there and continued sending letters to me stating that you think me the rightful claimant to the Imamate (leadership), and want to take ba'it for my caliphate. When I responded to your call and came here, you revolted against me.

If you want to help me even now, I want that you should not kill me and let me alone so that I may go to Makkah or Madinah and become absorbed in prayer and Allah will judge in this very world who was right and who was wrong." All kept silent on hearing the speech and no one answered. After waiting some time Imam Husain -= .11 ,..? J said, "Thank Allah I have pleaded with you and you could not offer any response." Then he called some of them by name, Shabt bin Rabi ya, Hajjaj bin AlHasan, Qais bin Al-Ashas, Hur bin Yazid Tamimi, and others! Did you not write letters to me and call me insistently to this place and now when I have arrived here, you are adamant on killing me." When they heard that, they told him that they had neither written letters to him nor called him. Imam Husain -w- .11 ,..?; took out their letters and read them each separately, telling them these were their letters. They replied that whether they wrote him letters or not, now they were sick of him.

After hearing that Imam Husain-= .11 ,..?; got off his camel and got ready for the battle. Someone came out of the troops from Kufa and onto the battlefield for single combat however, his horse became so frightened that the fighter fell off and died. Seeing that Hur bin Yazid Tamimi, posing as if he were attacking, put his shield before him and came running on his horse to Imam Husain,..?; = .11 and threw away his shield. When asked to explain the purpose of his coming in this way, he said, "I am the man who kept you surrounded and prevented your return and forced you to camp in this The History of Islam field. Now, in order to expiate my fault, I shall fight against the soldiers of Kufa in your support. Please make a dua (prayer) for my forgiveness, Imam Husain 4...__:.

Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) The Martyrdom of Imam Husain = .111 ~) Left alone Imam Husain ~.'iii 1,.?J both used to say "Let he whose father and grand father was better be the Caliph." But they did not consider the verse of the Qur' an: "O Allah! Possessor of the kingdom, You give the kingdom to whom you will, and You take the kingdom from whom you witt" (3:26) Finally, it is known as to whom Allah has favored. Then, having released the captives, he kept them in his palace as honored guests. When the women went into the palace, they found that all the women there were crying just as Imam Husain's sisters were crying for their brothers and relatives. After a few days of royal hospitality, the ruined caravan left for Madinah. Yazid provided them with all kinds of financial assistance and promised Ali bin Husain (Imam Zain al-Abedeen) to give him any type of assistance whenever he contacted him.

Obaidullah bin Zeyad's Frustration Obaidullah bin Zeyad hoped that after the killing of Husain= ..:i>l ,.?1 he would be honored. But Yazid, after the incident of Karbala, appointed Silam bin Zeyad the governor of Khorasan, he also put under him some provinces that had been attached with Basra, and sent him to Kufa, and gave him a letter written to Obaidullah bin Zeyad asking him to assign to Silam six thousands soldiers of Silam' s Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) choice. Obaidullah took this as a negative sign and began to express sorrow at Imam Husain's loss, saying if he had been living, Yazid would have needed him and not have reduced his rank and status but now when Yazid became safe he started to take territory and soldiers from under his control. When Silam took command of the Kufan army, he asked the chiefs how many of them wanted to accompany him to Khorasan. Each of them expressed his desire to go with him. At night Obaidullah bin Zeyad sent his messenger to the chiefs of the army and asked why they preferred Silam to him.

They replied that with him they had to stain their hands with the blood of the family of the Prophet ~ while with Silam they would be getting a chance to declare 'jihad' against the Turks and the Mongols. The next day Silam along with six thousand selected soldiers, left Kufa and went to Khorasan. Obaidullah bin Zeyad after the incident of Karbala, received nothing in reward but shame and sorrow. The Events in Makkah and Madinah When Yazid ordered Amr bin Sad to leave Madinah and go to Obaidullah bin Zeyad in Kufa, he sent Waleed bin Utba again as the governor of Madinah in place of Amr bin Sad. It was Waleed bin Utba as the governor of Madinah who, at the insistence of Abdullah bin Jafar ~ 11 ~ J , had written a document to the effect that if Imam Husain '--">-11 ~ J came to Madinah, he would be given safety and protection. Abdullah bin Jafar = 11 c?J sent that document along with his letter to Imam Husain ..... 11 c?J through the hands of his sons Aun and Muhammad while Imam Husain= 11 c?J was on his way to Kufa.

In Makkah Yazid's rule was over thrown and Abdullah bin Zubair Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) bin Amr bin Hafs bin Mughira among others. When they reached Damascus, they were received with great hospitality by Yazid. He gave to the first two, one hundred thousand dirhams each and to the rest ten thousand dirhams each and saw them off. They had seen Yazid holding singing and entertainment sessions and indulging in unlawful activities in Damascus. While returning, they all made up their minds to make an all out effort to oppose Yazid's caliphate. Nine persons came from Damascus to Madinah and one Mandir bin Zubair went to Kufa because Obaidullah bin Zeyad and Mandir bin Zubair were friends.

He intended to go to Kufa to see Obaidullah. When Abdullah bin Hanzla, along with his companions, came to Madinah, the people gathered round him to know about the conditions in Damascus. Opposition to Yazid's Caliphate Abdullah said that Yazid did not deserve the caliphate in the least because he was seen indulging in unlawful acts and that it was doubtful if he was a Muslim. The Muslirris should declare 'Jihad' against him. The people of Madinah told him that they heard that he was amply rewarded by Yazid. He replied that he accepted it simply because he had no power to oppose him.

When they heard that, the people became very disgusted with Yazid. Abdullah bin Hanzla proposed the removal of Yazid. As a result of which, the Quraish made Abdullah bin Muti and the Ansars made Abdullah bin Hanzla their chiefs and denied and rejected Yazid's caliphate and rule. When Uthman bin Mohammad and all the Banu Umayyah, who numbered one thousand in Madinah, saw this, some of them went out of Madinah and some took refuge in the house of Marwan bin Hakam. The people of Madinah arrested and imprisoned all the Banu Umayyah they could find. They said nothing to Marwan's son Abdul Malik who always lived in the service of Sayeed bin Almusayyeb the Schollor of Madinah and he rarely went out of the mosque and was considered to be a great devotee to religious practices, very pious and virtuous.

Banu Umayyah informed Yazid in Damascus of the prevalent situation there. Yazid at once wrote to Obaidullah bin Zeyad that Mandir bin Zubair who had been to him in Kufa, should The History of Islam immediately be arrested and imprisoned in order to prevent his entry into Madinah. As Obaidullah bin Zeyad was not pleased with Yazid because the latter did not value and honor him for killing Imam Husain, he sent Mandir away to Madinah at once and wrote to Yazid that Mandir had left for Madinah before he received his letter. After reaching Madinah, Mandir told Abdullah bin Hanzala and Abdullah bin Muti to take bay'at at Ali bin Husain's (Imam Zain al-Abedeen's) hands for caliphate. He then went to Ali bin Husain with a group. Ali bin Husain frankly refused and said that both his father and grandfather had lost their lives for the sake of the caliphate and that he dared not run the risk of doing such a thing and killing himself.

Saying so he went to stay in a village outside of Madinah. Marwan, who along with other Banu Umayyah was imprisoned in his own house, sent a message to Ali bin Husain (Imam Zain al-Abedeen) through Abdul Malik saying that what he did was quite right but he wanted some other help from him. He sent some valuable goods and members of his family to be looked after by him because there was no room for them in his crowed house, Ali bin Husain conceded to the request. Marwan bin Hakam, under the cover of a dark night, sent his family and some expensive goods to him in the village. Ali bin Husain (Imam Zain al-Abedeen) wrote to Yazid the detailed situation of what was going on in Madinah. He wrote about himself that he was loyal to him and trying his best to support and safeguard Banu Umayyah.

Becoming acquainted with the situation in Madinah, Yazid called Noman bin Basheer Ansari '--'-" ..:.1 Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) hearing about all these instructions, Noman bin Basheer "---'>- .11 c?_) mounted a female camel and proceeded to Madinah. There he tried to make the people understand that it was not in everybody's interest to make these problems, but in vain. Becoming frustrated he returned to Damascus and briefed Yazid with all that happened. Yazid called Muslim bin Oqba and ordered him to rush to Madinah along with one thousand selected cavalry and ask the people there to obey and in case of disobedience, fight them until they were humbled and disciplined. Muslim bin Oqba replied that he was loyal but unwell at the time. Yazid told him that even in that state he was better than the other healthy persons and that no one else could do the job better than he.

Compelled in this way, he selected one thousand soldiers and left from Damascus on the third day after he was ordered. Yazid, at the time of departure, urged him: "Try to bring the people of Madinah to the right path with all possible soft measures. However, if you are convinced that such measures will not work, then I give you all the power not to be slow in causing bloodshed and slaughter. But be careful and see no harm is done to Husain bin Ali (Imam Zain al-Abedeen) because he is loyal and a supporter. I have his letter, which says that he has nothing to do with the uproar and rebellion. If your condition deteriorates and rendering you incapable of commanding the army, you may depute Haseen bin Numair in your place.

You may also make him your deputy." After sending the army, Yazid sent a messenger to Obaidullah bin Zeyad with a letter asking him to take an army from Kufa and invade Makkah and eradicate Abdullah bin Zubair' s disruption. Obaidullah wrote back that it was beyond him to do both things: he had already killed Imam Husain '-'->- .11 c?.J and that he would not ruin and lay the Ka'bah to waste. That work should be entrusted to somebody else. When Muslim bin Oqba reached near Madinah with his army, the inhabitants of the city told Abdullah bin Hanzla that Banu Umayyah who were in Madinah would side with the enemies if the army of Damascus came and thereby cause civil war, which would inflict a great loss on them. Therefore they argued, it was better that they should all be put to death before the arrival of Muslim bin Oqba. Abdullah bin Hanzla replied that if they killed Banu Umayyah, Yazid The History of Islam and Obaidullah bin Zeyad with the Syrians and Iraqis respectively would invade them and demand revenge.

He said it was better that all the Banu Umayyah should be called, make them swear neither to fight with them nor help the invaders against them and after that they should be turned out of Madinah. All agreed to the proposal. The proposal was executed accordingly with the only exception of Abdul Malik bin Marwan who was granted full liberty to remain in the city. The people who were turned out of the city came across the army of Muslim bin Oqba·in Wadi al-Qura. Muslim bin Oqba asked them from which side he should launch an attack on Madinah. They refused to answer him in view of their pledge and pleaded helplessness in assisting him.

Muslim bin Oqba wanted to know whether there was anybody among them who did not take any pledge. They said that Abdul Malik bin Marwan was such a man and he was in Madinah. Muslim said that Abdul Malik was young while he needed an old and experienced man well versed in the strategies of war. They told him that this young man was better than an old man. Muslim bin Oqba therefore sent someone to Madinah and contacted him. Muslim bin Oqba was stunned to hear his counsel and implemented it.

He reached near Madinah and sent a message to its people: The caliph, Yazid, considers you to be noble. He does not like to shed your blood. You must obey or we shall be forced to take our swords out of their sheaths. Having sent the message, Muslim bin Oqba waited for three days. The people of Madinah prepared to fight. At last Muslim bin Oqba invaded Madinah from the Harra side.

They people of the city fought them valiantly and repulsed the Syrian soldiers. However, due to Muslim bin Oqba' s valor and experience, the people of Madinah were defeated. Abdullah bin Hanzla, Fuzail bin Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib, Mohammad bin Thabit bin Qais, Abdullah bin Zaid bin Asim, Mohammad bin Amr bin Hazm Ansari, Wahab bin Abdullah bin Zama, Zubair bin Abdur Rahman bin Auf, Abdullah bin Naufil bin Harith bin Abdul Muttalib and many other leaders of Madinah met their end in that battle. The victorious army entered Madinah. Muslim bin Oqba continued a general massacre with looting and arson for three days. That battle and massacre saw one thousand people dead, which included three hundred noblemen of the Quraish and the Ansar.

On the fourth day, he stopped the massacre and ordered them Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) to take 'bay'at. Those who took bay'at at Muslim bin Oqba's hands survived and those who refused were killed. It was on the 27th of Dhul Hijja 63 A.H. that Muslim bin Oqba entered Madinah as victor and issued the orders for a general massacre. On that very day, Mohammad bin Abdullah bin Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib was born. He is known as Mohammad Abul Abbas Saffah and is regarded as the first caliph of the Abbasids. Muslim bin Oqba made a hectic s.earch of Mundir bin Zubair but he had escaped to Makkah.

The Siege of Makkah and Yazid's Death Freed from Madinah, Muslim bin Oqba with his army, advanced towards Makkah. He was ill and on the way his condition deteriorated and when it turned more serious at Abwa, he called Haseen bin Numer and made him commander in chief in his place, and died. Those who fled from Madinah also gathered in Makkah. The Khawarij also thought it worthwhile to help Abdullah bin Zubair who had arrived in Makkah. That year all the people of the Hijaz had taken 'ba'it' for the caliphate of Abdullah bin Zubair. Haseen bin Numer taking his army arrived, near Makkah and sent a message to Abdullah bin Zubair -..._.c.,. .iii ..;-"'J to obey Yazid or he would invade Makkah.

Abdullah bin Zubair w- .iii,?; made preparations for battle. His brother Mundir bin Zubair = .11 ,?J who came from Madinah was appointed chief of a section of Abdullah bin Zubair's army. It was he who first came out onto the battlefield and challenged the Syrians. In the initial fight, he killed several Syrians and then the full-fledged battle started. It continued until the evening without any tangible results. It started on Muharram 27th 64 A.H.

The next day Haseen bin Numer set up a catapult on Mount Qubais and started targeting the Ka'bah and laid siege to Makkah. The siege and stone firing continued until Rabia al-Awwal 3, 64 A.H. On the 3rd of Rabia al-Awwal the Syrians made projectiles of cotton and _sulfur and igniting them began to shower them on the Makkans. They burnt the Ka'bah's cover and blackened its walls. Two catapults were constantly launching stones and projectiles. It was difficult for the people of Makkah to venture out of their houses.

The walls of the Ka'bah were broken under the impact of the flying stones and its roof caved in. The Syrians's that were making the siege became tougher, their total number after The History of Islam reinforcements came to five thousand. The Syrians were continuing to launch stones on the House of Allah and the city while on the 10th of Rabia al-Awwal Yazid died at Hawarin at the age of 38 or 39 after governing for three years and eight months. The news of his death first reached Abdullah bin Zubair = 11 ._,.;,.;. He shouted loudly to the Syrians: 0 unfortunate ones! Why are you fighting?

Your leader who had gone astray is dead. Haseen bin Numer did not give credence to it but attributed it to one of Abdullah bin Zubair's strategies. However, on the third day Thabit bin Qais Nakhye came from Kufa and informed him ofYazid's death, he at once ordered the army to raise the siege and march. Before his departure, he sent a message to Abdullah bin Zubair '--'->- 11 ~ .) expressing his desire to see him at Batha. In keeping with the terms of the agreement, Abdullah bin Zubair ._iP.; = 11 took ten persons with him and similarly ten persons accompanied Haseen bin Numer. Haseen said to him, "I am ready to accept you as caliph and take ba'it at your hands.

I have five thousand Syrian warriors with me. They will also follow me. Please come to Syria with me and I shall persuade all the Syrians to take ba'it from you. All the people of Hijaz have already taken bay'at at your hands and after the Syrians the whole Islamic world will accept you as the caliph." Abdullah bin Zubair = 11 ._,.;,.; thought that he was being deceived, so he refused and said that so long as he did not have retribution against the Syrians, he would never forgive them. Haseen talked in a low voice while Abdullah bin Zubair = 11 ._,.;,.; replied loudly and roughly. Haseen said, "I want to give you the caliphate and you quarrel with me and reply in a rough voice." In short, Haseen left the place and returned to his army and ordered it to march.

Later, Abdullah bin Zubair ,___;.;, 11 ~.) realized his mistake and he sent a messenger to Haseen asking him not to force him to go to Syria rather to take ba'it in Makkah. Haseen said, "The purpose would not be served if you don't come to Syria." In the end, Abdullah bin Zubair = 11 ._iP.; did not leave and Haseen departed from Makkah. When he reached near to Madinah, he came to know that upon hearing of Yazid's death the people in Madinah again stood against the Banu Umayyah and drove the governor who Muslim bin Oqba had deputed there out of Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) Madinah. When Haseen encamped near Madinah, the uproar in Madinah subsided and all the Banu Umayyah joined Haseen's army and requested him to take them to Syria with him. Haseen asked them to stay for the night promising to march with them the next morning. At night, he went out in search of Ali bin Husain.

He met him and said to him: Yazid is dead. There is no Imam of the world of Islam at present. Accompany me to Syria. I shall persuade the whole world to take bay'at for your calipj1ate. Don't take the Syrians to be like the Iraqis. They will never betray you nor will they harm you.

Ali bin Husain said: "I have made a pledge with Allah that I shall never take ba'it in my lifetime. Leave me alone and find somebody else for the caliphate." Having said that he parted from Haseen. Haseen returned to his army and taking the Banu Umayyah with him marched to Syria. Conquests During Yazid's Reign We have reached Yazid's death but it remains to be mentioned that Oqba bin Nafe, the founder of the city of Qairwan (in modern day north-central Tunisia), had left North Africa and had gone to Amir Muawiya= .'iii i.?j in Damascus and complained against Abul Muhajir. Amir Muawiya -= 11 i.?j had promised to send him to North Africa as the commander in chief. Death had overtaken Amir Muawiya=- .'iii i.?j before he could fulfill his commitment.

Immediately after becoming caliph, Yazid deputed Oqba as the commander and sent him to North Africa. Oqba reached Qairwan, arrested Abul Muhajir and threw him into prison. The reason was that Abu] Muhajir, during his reign tried to defame him unjustifiably by abusing him. In that state of captivity Abu! Muhajir died but before he died he warned him to beware of a newly converted Berber Muslim named Kusaila. It was Abu!

Muhajir who had convinced him about Islam and he knew his nature and habits, he was sure that because Oqba had imprisoned him, Kusalia, if he had the opportunity would certainly take revenge. Oqba did not pay much attention to it and he let him continue to be chief of one part of his army. ln 62 A.H. Oqba called his sons and as his last will and testament, said to them: "I am going in the way of Allah for Jihad and The History of Islam I wish earnestly to get martyrdom". Then he left Zuhair bin Qais Balwi with a small army for the protection of Qairwan and he set out along with an army of the mujahideen (Literally: those who struggle, connoting warriors fighting for the sake of Islam) to the west. There was a confrontation with the Roman army' in the city of Baghana. After a sharp encounter, the Romans retreated.

Again, the Romans fought them at the city of Arba and they also lost that battle. Seeing the onrushing flood of Muslim victories they allied themselves with the Berbers who had not yet converted to Islam. That huge army of Romans and Berbers stood their ground against the small Muslim army. After a bloody battle, the Muslim gained a decisive victory. Finally, they fought the last battle with the Romans at the city of Tangier in which the Roman governor surrendered himself to Oqba bin Nafe. Oqba set him free and without causing any damage to the city moved on.

He conquered the entire territory of Morocco and he arrived at the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Having reached the coast, he ran his horse into the sea and said, 0 Allah! Had this sea not intervened in my way I would have gone on fighting in your way until the end of the earth. Martyrdom of Oqba Oqba thought about returning to Qairwan. The whole of North Africa had been included in the Islamic conquests. On his return journey, he subdivided his army into various parts and sent them off separately and one part he kept with him.

On the way, they reached a place where water was not available. They began to die from thirst and Oqba made a du' a (prayer) to Allah. His horse began to strike its hooves on the ground and amazingly a fountain shot up from that exact place. They all drank to their hearts content. It came to be known as 'Ma-ul-fars' (the water of the horsemen) and it is still known by this same name. When he set out with his small regiment and reached Hatuza, the Romans and the Berbers, seeing his small regiment wanted to fight even though they had already surrendered to him.

Kusaila who was with Oqba took advantage of the situation, he parted with him and joined the Romans, encouraging his countrymen, and he led a large army on the attack and surrounded the small regiment. Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) The handful of Muslims unsheathed their sword and set to killing their enemies. They killed a large number of Romans and Berbers and made a pile of dead bodies and then they fell martyred one by one, and Oqba bin Nafe's longing for martyrdom was finally fulfilled. Kusaila along with his large army marched towards Qairwan. When the news reached Qairwan that Oqba met his martyrdom and that a large army was approaching, Zuhair bin Qais made preparations for battle, but dissension and disunity broke out among his army. Qais failed to bring it under control.

Compelled by this, the Muslims had to leave Qairwan and proceeded towards Barqah and Kusaila occupied Qairwan. A Glance at Yazid's Caliphate Yazid reigned for about three years and nine months. During that period no territorial victories outside of North Africa came to the Muslims, to be more precise following Amir Muawiya's= .'i,1 ,.?J 20 year long rule as caliph the period of infighting and indifference to foreign conquests had commenced. The greatest slur on Yazid's caliphate was Imam Husain's martyrdom, which has brought into prominence his other shortcomings. Considering these factors with the desire to get to the truth we should in going to the heart of the matter peacefully ponder over what were the motives working behind the tyranny perpetrated upon Imam Husain ~ .1i1 ~ J and the brutal treatment, which was meted out to him at Karbala. It can not be denied that at the instance of Mughira bin Shoba = .'i,1 ,.?J, Amir Muawiya '----"" .'iii ,.?J nominated Yazid as his successor otherwise he would never have thought of making his son the caliph after him.

It was Mughira bin Shoba who was the first to introduce that idea. Because that proposal was absolutely against the tradition of the 'Khilafat-Rashida' (the rightly guided caliphate) and the spirit of Islamic democracy, opposition to it started at once in Madinah. Therefore, Abdur Rahman bin Abu Bakr, Abdullah bin U~ar, Abdullah bin Zubair and Imam Husain r+---"' 11 ~ J opposed it vehemently. When Marwan put the problem before the wise and sober people of Madinah, it met with stiff opposition from all quarters. The History of Islam Abdullah bin Zubair = .ii.1 ,_,?_; said clearly: "No other modes but thq.se of the Prophet ~ and Khulfa ar-Rashideen will be acceptable to us in selecting the caliph. Commenting on it Abdur Rahman bin Abi Bakr ~ .ii.1 ,,?_; said: the style which Amir Muawiya--... .ii.1 ,_,?_; has adopted in selecting the caliph is that of the Roman and Iranian emperors.

It is not acceptable to us. Imam Husain ~ .ii.1 ,_,?_; said, "This selection is not meant for the betterment but for the annihilation of the Muslims because by this way the Islamic caliphate will be like that practiced by Caesar or Kisra, that is the son will succeed his father as king. Amir Muawiya L_;$. .ii.1 ~ .J in order to make them agree went to the extent of sending the following words to those wise people. You should accept him as caliph only in name. The rest of affairs, law and order, appointments and transfers of post-holders and other administrative activities will be done with your consultation. But even that failed to produce the desired result and none of them was ready to accept it.

Now imagine the sentiments of the common masses and the character of Yazid. Amir Muawiya ~ .ii.1 ~ .J issued instructions to all his governors to narrate to the people Yazid's virtues and send to him delegations of the influential people so that he himself might have a direct talk with them on the issue. Consequently he talked to the delegations separately that came to him from all the provinces and then gathered them all at one place and made a speech in which he, after highlighting the rights and duties of caliphs, obedience to the rulers and the responsibilities of the common masses, mentioned Yazid's bravery, generosity, wisdom, suitability and administrative skill and finally expressed his wish that bay'at should be taken for Yazid's succession. However, in response a member of the delegation from Madinah, Mohammad bin Amr bin Hazam, stood up and said, "Amir al-Muminin! You are making Yazid the caliph but you should think about that you will have to answer to Allah for this act of yours on the Day of Judgement." These words amply prove that the people in general did not like Yazid's caliphate. Coupled with this that even at Amir Muawiya's death the type of disobedience he displayed throws light on how far he Was fit for the caliphate.

With the joint efforts of Mughira bin Shoba and Amir Muawiya, Yazid Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) became the caliph of the Islamic world. Taking ba'it for Yazid in his lifetime was Amir Muawiya's blunder and it was committed probably out of fatherly affection. But Mughira bin Shoba's mistake was worse than his because it only came to his mind at Mughira bin Shoba's i suggestion. Furthermore, Yazid, after taking over the reign, failed to prove himself fit for the caliphate. He knew fully well that there were living elders who by virtue of their chaste habits and disposition, high morals, habits of worship, abstinence from material pleasures, their practical life and their strength of Iman were guiding lights, yet he did not take advantage of their presence. Instead of running his administration by availing himself of their counsel he began to perpetrate tyranny immediately after becoming caliph, and issued i. instructions to all his governors to take ba'it from all the elders present in Madinah and Makkah.

When Imam Husain = ..1.t1 Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) Muawiya bin Yazid At the time of Yazid's death, Muawiya bin Yazid also known as Abu Laila and Abu Abdur Rahman was twenty years and a few months old. He was young, pious and devout. The Syrians took bay' at at his hands after Yazid's death. When Haseen bin Numer along with his army and those of Banu Umayyah who left Madinah, reached Syria, the bay'at for him had already taken place. Muawiya was not interested in his own caliphate and the taking of ba'it. He was a little sickly also, and in that state of sickness, people took bay'at for him.

He took bay'at under pressure and after forty days or according to a second tradition after two months and yet according to a third tradition after three months died as caliph. During that short period, he was not able to do anything worth mentioning. When his· condition worsened, they requested him to nominate someone to be caliph after him. Muawiya said to them: "I had no power to run the caliphate from the beginning. You made me caliph by force. I thought to hand it over to a person like Umar bin Khattab ~ 11 ~ J if available but in vain.

Then again, I wanted to do just as he had done and nominate a few persons entrusted with the task of selecting the caliph but I failed to find such persons. You are at liberty to make caliph anyone whom you like because I will have nothing to do with it." Saying that Muawiya made the people leave his palace and had the doors closed. After that, it was not he but his dead body that went out of the palace. Bay~t for lbn Zeyad in Basra The caliphate of Muawiya bin Yazid was accepted only by the Syrians and the Egyptians. The people of the Hijaz had taken bay'at at Abdullah bin Zubair's hands. When the news of Yazid's death reached Iraq, Obadiullah bin Zeyad was present in Basra.

He collected the people and said to them: "The Amir al-Muminin is dead. There is no one in sight who has the capacity to run the caliphate. I am born in this country and I have The History of Islam been brought up here. My father ruled here and at present, I am the ruler here. The income of our territory is more than before. The treasury is stronger than before.

Salaries and stipends given to the people are far more than before. The country is free from the presence of the mischievous and the wicked. You may establish your own separate caliphate if you like because you are not dependent on the Syrians." Having heard the speech, everyone expressed their readiness to take ba'it at his hands. Therefore, the people of Basra took bay'at at his hands but in the heart, they did not like him. Taking ba'it from them, Obaidullah went to Kufa in order to take bay'at from the people there but they refused him openly. When the people of Basra came to know that the inhabitants of Kufa did not accept lbn Zeyad, they annulled their oaths.

Compelled and helpless lbn Zeyad fled from Iraq and arrived in Damascus. He reached there when Muawiya bin Yazid had breathed his last, there were many disputes and the country was in an uproar of confusion in connection with the selection of the caliphate. lbn Zubair' s Caliphate in Iraq The situation in Kufa showed that after the disaster of Karbala the people felt very moved by the martyrdom of Imam Husain-= 11 _..;,)- Those who called him by sending letters to him and then took part in killing him, felt very ashamed and repentant. lbn Zeyad did not get any reward rather a part of Khorasan (corresponding to modern northeastern Iran, southern Turkmenistan, and northern Afghanistan) was taken from under his control and he too was repentant concerning Imam Husain's killing and did not stop the people of Kufa from repentance. The partisans of Husain in Kufa gathered at Sulaiman bin Sard Khazai's house and held a closed-door meeting, they confessed their faults and in order to expiate their errors agreed to the proposal to avenge Imam Husain's blood. Consequently, all of them took bay'at at Sulaiman's hands. He exhorted them to stick to their determination and avoid giving vent to it prematurely and gradually convert the people to their opinion and when the Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) opportunity presented itself, they would rise up and avenge his assassination. When Obaidullah bin Zeyad wanted to turn the attention of the people of Kufa towards taking bay'at for him, they refused in keeping with Sulaiman's instructions and plans and they continued making preparations for taking revenge.

Hearing of Yazid's death the partisans of Ali requested Sulaiman to rebel. But he asked them not to do so at that time because a good number of the people of Kufa were still not in favor of undertaking the work agreed upon and it was more prudent to keep trying separately for a few days more to increase their number~ and strength. After rejecting Ibn Zeyad 's proposal the people of Kufa drove out Amr bin Harith who was the appointed governor of Kufa by Ibn Zeyad and accepted Abdullah bin Zubair's caliphate. Abdullah bin Zubair ~ 11 ~) sent Abdullah bin Yazid Ansari and Ibrahim bin Mohammad biil Talha as governor and tax collector of Kufa respectively. One week before the arrival of Abdullah bin Zubair's governor, Mukhtar bin Abu Obaida who had gone to Mohammad bin Al Hanafia, returned to Kufa. This took place in Ramadan 64 A.H.

The people of Basra also made Abdullah bin Harith their chief after Ibn Zeyad's expulsion and in imitation of the people of Kufa, sent their delegation to Abdullah bin Zubair ~ 11 ~) and recognized his caliphate. Thus, Abdullah bin Zubair's reign over the whole of Iraq was fully established. lbn Zubair's Caliphate in Egypt The Egyptian governor was Abdur Rahman bin Jehdan. When he heard the news of Muawiya bin Yazid's death, he at once took bay'at, (oath of allegiance) for Abdullah bin Zubair's caliphate through a delegation. Noman bin Basheer and Zafar bin Harith were the governors of Hims (also spelled Homs, city, central Syria) and Qansareen (one of the five original provinces that the conquering Arabs divided greater Syria into, now northern Syria) respectively. Both of them thought it proper to recognize Abdullah bin Zubair's caliphate on hearing about Muawiya bin Yazid's death. Because no caliph could be selected quickly after Muawiya bin Yazid's death, the The History of Islam peopJ.e of Damascus took bay' at for Dahhak bin Qais on the condition that they accept him as their Amir and Imam and obey him until the selection by the Muslims of the Amir and Caliph of all of them.

Dahhak bin Qais also thought Abdullah bin Zubair = 1, Caliphate of Banu Llmayyah (First Phase) Marwan bin Hakam Marwan bin Hakam bin Abi Al-Aas bin Umayyah bin Abd Shams bin Abd Mana£ was born in 2 A.H. His mother was known by the name of Amna bint Alqaman bin Safwan. He had been the head clerk and minister during Uthman bin Affan's ~ 11 ~; period of caliphate. During Amir Muawiya's reign, he governed Madinah several times. Following Muawiya bin Yazid's death, it was Abdullah bin Zubair ._?; = 11 had been the caliph for six or seven months. With the exception of Marwan, none from among Banu Umayyah had a claim to the caliphate.

All the governors and administrators had accorded recognition to Abdullah bin Zubair's caliphate. After struggling for six or seven months, Marwan succeeded in occupying Syria. Therefore, Marwan can be considered to be a rebel and as Banu Umayyah had lost the caliphate, he can be credited with the revival of the caliphate for Banu Umayyah. 8t1y~t for the Caliphate and the Battle of Marj Rabat After Muawiya bin Yazid's death as mentioned earlier, there appeared two sects in Syria. One was Banu Umayyah who justified the caliphate on the basis that it belonged to their tribe alone, and the other comprising of Dahhak bin Qais, the governor of Damascus and ' his like minded officers and administrators who inwardly supported Abdullah bin Zubair's caliphate but kept silent. First of all Noman bin Basheer """ 11 ? ; began to take bay' at in Hims in the name of Abdullah bin Zubair = 11 ..? J· The governor of Qansareen, Zafar bin Harith, also followed suit.

In Damascus Banu Umayyah and Banu Kalb were in the majority. Those two tribes were like-minded and critical of Abdullah bin Zubair. Dahhak bin Qais who inwardly sided with Abdullah bin Zubair did not express it openly, ruled over Damascus. The inhabitants of Damascus were in. the dark about the fact that the armies of Hims and Qansareen had taken bay'at for Abdullah bin Zubair's caliphate. lt was, Hassan bin Malik Kalbi the governor of Palestine and a supporter of the Banu Umayyah due to his relation with them, got the inforMotion first. Making Ruh bin Zamba his deputy, he said, "The leaders of Ibn Zubair's army continue to take History of Islam bay'at for him from the people. The people of my tribe are in Jordan and I will go there to inform them.

You must be vigilant here and kill those who oppose us." Having insisted in this manner he went to Jordan. Immediately after his departure, N-abil bin Qais, as a supporter of Abdullah bin Zubair = 11 .?j expelled Ruh bin Zamba from Palestine. Ruh went to Hassan bin Malik in Jordan and Palestine was annexed to Abdullah bin Zubair's caliphate. Hassan bin Malik assembled the Jordanians and incited them against Abdullah bin Zubair = 11 .?J and promised that they would try to make Khalid bin Yazid bin Muawiya bin Abi Sufyan the caliph. Hassan also came to know that Dahhak bin Qais, the governor of Damascus, was a secret follower of ibn Zubair but Hassan did not reve~J it and chose another method to deal with this problem. Hassan using the strategy of politics wrote Dahhak bin Qais a letter containing the vices attributed to Abdullah bin Zubair and stated that Dahhak was the rightful claimant of the caliphate for Banu Umayyah.

Further, he drew his attention to the fact that the people were continuing to take bay'at for Abdullah bin Zubair = 11 .?; and asked him to remedy this at once. The messenger carrying the letter to Damascus was instructed that he should read the letter to Dahhak bin Qais in the central mosque on Friday before all the influential people of the city and the Banu Umayyah. The purpose of this was to create and obstacle between Dahhak bin Qais and ibn Zubair, to destroy Dahhak's credibility with Abdullah bin Zubair, and to cause confusion among Dahhak' s followers. At the mosque in Damascus, a large number of Dahhak bin Qais's followers were present. When they l1eard the letter, they were divided into two groups. One was the Banu Umayyah and their followers and the other w~ Abdullah binZubair's supporters.

Both the groups clashed and they went to the extent of taking arms against the other and prepared to attack each other. However, Khalid bin Yazid bin Muawiya intervened and pacified them and prevented them from fighting, Dahhak bin Qais left the mosque silently and entered his house and did not come out for three days. During that period Obaidullah bin Zeyad who had been expelled from Iraq and frustrated; had fled to Syria and arrived in Damascus. Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) His arrival in Damascus gave great strength to the Banu Umayyah and their followers. Dahhak bin Qais and Banu Umayyah together proceeded to Jabia. Thour bin Maan Sulami went to Dahhak and said to him, "You gave us counsel to take bay'at for Abdullah bin Zubair '--"" 11 ~ ) and we accepted it.

And now at the instance of Hassan bin Malik Kalbi, you want to try to arrange the ba' it for his sister's son Khalid bin Yazid." Dahhak was ashamed and asked him what his opinion was. He said, "Express what you have concealed so far and invite the people openly to take bay'at for Abdullah bin Zubair." Dahhak parted along with his supporters and halted at Marj Rahat. Banu Umayyah and Banu Kalb were stationed at Jabia. Hassan along with his followers also arrived there from Jordan. Five thousand of the Banu Umayyah and Banu Kalb had assembled at Jab~a while Dahhak bin Qais had only one thousand of the Banu Qais at Marj Rahat with him. The deputy whom Dahhak bin Qais left in Damascus was expelled by Yazid bin Anis and took over the captured treasury, which was really a great defeat for Dahhak.

Had Damascus and the treasury been in his possession he would not have suffered such a blow to his power. From Marj Rahat he sent inforMotion to Noman bin Basheer, Zafar bin Harith and Nayel bin Qais in Hims, Qansareen and Palestine. The problem that came first before any other work for the Banu Umayyah was choosing the Imamate and caliph. (Editors note: Imamate literally concerns leadership and Caliph connotes the representative of Allah on earth, this term is also used to describe all the sons of Adam and their position and responsibility while on this earth. These two terms cover the spiritual and temporal leadership of the Muslims and can be used interchangeably depending on the context as the concept of separation of the state from religion does not exist in Islam. In Arabic these terms and their derivations are commonly used and they are not terms that are exclusively used for this specific terminology only as the word Pope is in English.) Khalid bin Yazid was named in general and the majority were inclined to him.

Marwan began to coax the people for his own caliphate and Ruh bin History of Islam Zamba in his support addressed the gathering in the following words: Khalid bin Yazid is quite young now. We need a clever and experienced caliph. Therefore, none is better than Marwan bin Hakam. He is experienced and he has been doing the work of the caliphate and governing since the days of Uthrnan bin Affan = 11 Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) Islam made them forget their ancient feuds and Amir Muawiya 11 i,r"J ~ made use of them intelligently and kept the old rivalry repressed. He had Yazid married into Banu Kalb so that he might continue to get their support. Banu Qais out numbered Banu Kalb and so special care was also taken to entertain and keep them in good humor.

These two tribes were regarded as the greatest powers in Syria. Just as Umar bin Khattab's death saw the revival of the old enmity between Banu Umayyah and Banu Hashim, similarly Amir Muawiya's death brought to life the old forgotten rivalry between Banu Qais and Banu Kalb. And the battle of Marj Rahat transformed the rivalry into a durable and permanent enmity and caused an irreparable damage to the cause of Islam in the Islamic world. Following Muawiya bin Yazid's death, rivalries and differences of opinions between Banu Qais and Banu Kalb began to appear regarding the choice of the caliph in Damascus, Marwan bin Hakam seeing that Iraq, Egypt and a big part of Syria had already recognized Abdullah bin Zubair, made up his mind to leave Damascus, go to Abdullah bin Zubair = 11 - .'i.1 ~J they should co-operate in this mission otherwise if they took independent action, he would fight against them and punish them. The impact of the announcement was that Sulaiman bin Sard and his followers began to purchase arms openly and became busy preparing for the battle. On the first of Rabia al-Awwal 65 A.H.

Sulaiman left Kufa and encamped at Nakhila with seventeen thousand warriors. Abdullah bin Yazid, the governor of Kufa, did not oppose him. Mukhtar was forming his own group for the same purpose of revenging the death of Imam Husain= 11 .,?J· Although Sulaiman harbored the same idea in his heart, Mukhtar expressed it openly, because of the open expression of his plan a few noblemen of Kufa instigated Abdullah bin Yazid to ca_tch and imprison Mukhtar, which he did. Sulaiman along with seventeen thousand warriors advanced toward the Syrian border on the 5th of Rabia al-Awwal. At Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) the time of his departure, Abdullah bin Sad bin Nufail said to Sulaiman, "All the killers of Husain = .11 cr"J are assembled here in Kufa. Where are you going to search for them?" Sulaiman said, "These are soldiers who were at their chief Ibn Zeyad's command.

He is the real culprit and first we should finish with him. Freed from this task it will be quite easy to straighten out the rest of the problem." After leaving Nakhila, Sulaiman's army reached Karbala where they wept bitterly at the place of Husain's murder and at his grave in which Imam Husain's headless corpse was buried. They halted there for a day and a night and then left. They continued their march and reached "Ain al Wardah" and encamped there. Hearing of their arrival Obaidullah bin Zeyad, who was at that time the newly appointed governor of Mosul and was personally stationed there, gave twelve thousand soldiers to Haseen bin Numer and sent him to face Sulaiman. Sulaiman had reached Ain al-Wardah on 21 Jumad alAwwal 65 A.H., after camping there for five days Haseen bin Numer also arrived at Ain al-Wardah on the 26th of Jumad al-Awwal.

The fight began on that same day. The Syrians suffered great losses until the evening but then night intervened and protected them. The next morning about eight thousand more Syrian soldiers sent by lbn Zeyad came as reinforcements. That day also saw a fierce battle, which continued from salah al-Fajr (dawn prayer) to Maghrib time (sunset) without yielding any final results. Both the parties passed the night in hope and fear. In the morning another ten thousand Syrian soldiers arrived as reinforcements sent by lbn Zeyad to aid Haseen bin Numer's army.

That day the battle continued until the evening, Sulaiman bin Sard and all the great leaders of Kufa were killed and only a few surviv~"d. The rest of the leaders took their remaining men and left the battlefield under the cover of darkness. Haseen did not pursue them. Sulaiman bin Sard and his associates were known as Tawwabeen (penitents) meaning that they had committed the crime of causing Imam Husain= ..i,1 Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) am given enough money and material for the military expenses as well as the territories taken from the Khawarij will be declared to be my property." Harith bin Rabia accepted his condition and Muhallab, taking twelve thousand selected warriors from the people of Basra, marched on to confront the Khawarij. The Khawarij fought a pitched battle and displayed exemplar bravery and turned their enemies faces several times. However, Muhallab's personal valor and experience benefited the people of Basra.

The Khawarij were vanquished but they regrouped themselves and began to fight more carefully. Finally, the Khawarij, after a few more skirmishes, were defeated and they went towards Kerman and Isfahan. The Siege of Qarqisa You have read earlier that prior to the caliphate of Marwan bin Hakam, Zafar bin Harith had been ruling over Qansareen. After Marwan's victory Zafar went to Abdullah bin Zubair = .11 ~ J and informed him of Marwan's occupation of Egypt. Abdullah bin Zubair Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) Abdullah bin Zubair Abdullah bin Zubair -= 11 ,?J and his situation and the circumstances of his caliphate have been recorded in the previous pages. As Marwan bin Hakam's death occurred during Abdullah binZubair's caliphate and as his caliphate continued even after Marwan's death, we thought it proper that Marwan bin Hakam's situation and circumstances be recorded after those of Yazid bin Muawiya and Muawiya bin Yazid to be followed finally by those of Abdullah bin Zubair = 11 ,?J· Abdul Malik succeeded to the throne and since the period of his rule and caliphate lasted even after that of Abdullah bin Zubair, the prevailing conditions and circumstances of his reign entitled Abdul Malik will follow that of Abdullah bin Zubair's.

The period that began with the disaster at Karbala is as difficult to present as the period between 30 to 40 A.H. We are about to study a very dangerous age and in recording it, the chronology is difficult to maintain. The conditions are so complicated and confused that even if they are categorized outside of their chronological order it is not feasible to make them fit into a simple presentation. Even with these difficulties we have tried in comparison to other histories that this book should have more order and the readers should not feel over burdened mentally and so the reflection on the reality of these events should establish itself with more understanding in their minds. Early life and Habits His genealogical table is as follows: Abdullah bin Zubair bin Awwam bin Khuwailid bin Asad bin Abdul Uzza bin Qussai. His familiar name is Abu Khubaib (Editors note: In Arabic it is endearing to refer to a man by the title of "father of" followed by the name of his first son.

Therefore, the Prophet ,i is called Abul Qasim and Ali= 11 ,?J is known as Abul Hasan. This is also applicable to a woman and she is entitled "mother of" and the name of her first son. In Arabic, this is known as kunya and has no English equivalent). Himself a Sahabi (companion of the Prophet ~ ) he is a Sahabi's son. His father Zubair bin Awwam is counted among the Ashrat Mubashshireen (Literally: "The ten given good news," meaning ten companions of the Prophet History of Islam ~ who were given the good news that they would go to Paradise). His mother Asma was Abu Bakr Siddiq's daughter and Aysha Siddiqa's sister.

His grand mother was Safia who was the Prophet's paternal aunt. Abdullah bin Zubair was born one year and 8 months after the Prophet ~ emigrated to Madinah. He was the first child born to a Muhajir (those who emigrated to Madinah) in Madinah Munawwara. His birth was highly celebrated by the emigrants because when the Jews saw that no child was born to an emigrant in Madinah for a long time, they publicized the idea that they had cast a spell over them and therefore no child could be born to the emigrants. That was why the Muslims were very joyous when he was born and it also caused as much grief, humiliation and shame to the Jews. He was taken to the Prophet ~ immediately after his birth.

He~ chewed a date and put a little in baby Abdullah's mouth. Abdullah bin Zubair .....__,, :iii ~J used to observe fast very often and would remain engaged in prayer. Sometimes he stood up in prayer and remained in that position for the whole night; sometimes he remained in ruku (bowing) for the whole night and sometimes he spent the whole night in sujud (prostration). He helped the needy especially his relatives. He was very brave and was a great general. His horsemanship was exemplar and a matter of pride among the Quraish.

He was a man of great perseverance and stood like rock in the face of difficulties. He was a fine orator with a deep voice. His voice echoed and resonated as if he was in the mountains. Omar bin Qais says, Abdullah bin Zubair = .l>I ..?J had one hundred slaves who spoke a hundred different languages and he talked to each of them in their own language. Whenever anybody saw him do some religious deed, the observer would gather the impression that worldly desires could not have entered his heart even for a fraction of a second. One day Abdullah Asadi called on Abdullah bin Zubair = .;;,1 ..?J and said to him, "You and I are related to each other through such and such genealogy.

Abdullah bin Zubair = 11 ..?J said, yes, you are right. But if you ponder, you will conclude that the whole of mankind is Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) interrelated because all of us have descended from Adam and Eve. Abdullah Asadi said, my funds have run short and I have no money to spend. Abdullah bin Zubair ~ 11 ~J said, I did not stand as a guarantee to your funds. Asadi said my camel is dying of cold. Abdullah bin Zubair = 11 .,,;,j said, take it to some warm place and put some woolen cloth or a blanket on it.

Asadi said I did not come to you to take counsel but to beg something. Accursed be the camel, which brought me to you. Abdullah bin Zubair = 11 .,,;,) said, curse the rider of this camel too. Important Events of lbn Zubair's Caliphate Abdullah bin Zubair = 11 .,,;, j had been reigning in Makkah since Amir Muawiya's death. He never allowed Yazid's rule to be established in Makkah during Yazid's regime. He took bay'at for the caliphate after Yazid's death and in a short time he was recognized as caliph by the whole Islamic world except for a few places in Syria.

During that period, he did not take correct stock of the situation in Syria, which were in his favor but he failed to capitalize on them. He committed a mistake by under estiMoting Banu Umayyah's power and popularity, which had been established since Amir Muawiya's times in Syria. Had he correctly deduced the situation concerning Banu Qais's and Banu Kalab' s dissensions and rivalries and his own popularity is Syria he would have undertaken a journey to Syria. There is a high probability that the journey would have proved as fruitful as Umar bin Khattab 's journey to Syria for the Islamic world. In that case, Marwan's caliphate and the restoration of Banu Umayyah's influence and power would not have taken place. If he had made Madinah his capital instead of Makkah and came to Madinah immediately after Yazid's death, he would not have allowed Syria to slip through his fingers owing to its proximity it would have been easier to control.

Had he done this, he could have prevented Dahhak bin Qais, Zafar bin Harith, Noman bin Basher and Abdur Rahman bin Jehdam from being vanquished. If these people had received a little support and help from him they were not the type of people who would retreat and accept defeat at any cost. The consequence of that error of misunderstanding was that Egypt and Syria coupled with Palestine went out of his control and Marwan founded the caliphate for his descendents. History of Islam Mukhtar's Mischief Mukhtar bin Abi Ubaid bin Masood Thagfi has been mentioned in previous pages. When Sulaiman bin Sard appeared with the group of Tawwabeen to take revenge for Husain's murder, the governor of Kufa made him captive in order to maintain law and order due to his loud cries for revenge. When the remainder of the Tawwabeen returned to Kufa, Mukhtar sent a letter expressing his sense of sorrow to them.

"Don't be sad and rest assured that if I remain alive, I will take revenge for all of your martyred soldiers and Husain's death. I wi:>n't spare even a single killer and will cause such bloodshed that the people will be reminded of Bukht Nassr's times and how he killed Banu Israel. If there is anybody alive who wants to avenge Husain's death he should make a pact with me for this mission. The letter was read by Rafe bin Shaddad, Muthanna bin Makhriba Abdi, Sad bin Hudaifa bin Yaman, Yazid bin Anas, Ahmar bin Sumait Himsi, Abdullah bin Shaddad Bajali, and Abdullah bin Kamil who were all from the group of Tawwabeen. They were beside themselves with joy that there was still a soul alive who had so much enthusiasm and dedication concerning Husain's death. Rafe bin Shaddad, therefore took four or five persons with him and visited the prision.

Having gotten permission, he saw Mukhtar and told him that they would secure his release after breaking open the jail. Mukhtar said, No don't bother. I shall be free whenever I want the governor of Kufa himself will set me free. The time has not come. Wait for a few days more. Mukhtar had sent a letter to Abdullah bin Umar l....j..;,- .:;,1 ,?; through a messenger from the jail before the vanquished Tawwabeen returned.

The letter stated. "I have been imprisoned by the governor of Kufa, Abdullah bin Yazid. Would you please write a letter of recommendation to him. I have been wronged. ABah will reward you for it." Mukhtar was sure that Abdullah bin Umar l....j..;,- .:.1 Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) Abdullah bin Umar letter was received by Abdullah bin Yazid, and he, in respect to this letter, called Mukhtar from the jail and said, "I release you on the condition that you do not create any mischief in Kufa and keep yourself confined to your house. Mukhtar agreed and went to his house.

Husain's supporters attributed his release to his miracle and began to visit him with great respect and faith. The faithful persons visited him secretly. A few days later Abdullah bin Zubair ~ 11 c.r" J dismissed Abdullah bin Yazid and sent Abdullah bin Moti to Kufa as governor. Abdullah bin Moti arrived in Kufa on 25 Ramadan 66 A.H. Mukhtar also attributed the rise and fall of the governors to his miraculous power and after the departure of the old governor from Kufa, broke the restrictions imposed upon him and began to live more freely, more and more people began to visit him and the number of his followers started increasing greatly. Abdullah bin Moti had appointed Ayas bin Abi Mudarib as the city Magistrate.

One day Ayas said to Moti, the governor of Kufa, Mukhtar's followers have become dangerous and powerful. I am afraid that he might rise against you. You had better put him in prison as before. Abdullah bin Moti sent Mukhtar's uncle Zaid bin Masood Thaqfi along with Husain bin Rafe Azdi to Mukhtar asking him to come to him because he wanted to have an important talk with him. Both o_f them went to Mukhtar and conveyed the governor's message. He at once put on his clothes and was getting ready to leave when Zaid read the verse of the Qur' an, "And when the disbelieves plotted against you to imprision you, or to kill you, or to get you out." (8:30) No sooner had Mukhtar heard the verse than he at once made out what Zaid meant.

He said, bring me a blanket. I am feeling cold. He covered himself with his blanket and laid down. Then addressing Husain bin Rafe he said "See I was ready to leave. But what can I do? I've had a sudden attack of sickness.

Now I cannot move. Please narrate to the Amir the condition in which you found me. When I get well tomorrow morning, I shall comply with his order. Both of them left, on the way Husain bin Rafe said to Zaid, you read that verse so that Mukhtar would not go to the Amir otherwise he was ready to go. History of Islam He stopped because you wanted him to stop. He simply invented an excuse, commenting thus Husain said to Zaid, rest assured, I won't mention it to Abdullah bin Moti because I may get some benefit from Mukhtar.

Both wenf to Abdullah bin Moti and said to him, Mukhtar was seriously ill. We have seen him with our eyes and he is unable to come here. Allah willing he will be coming tomorrow. No sooner had Zaid and Husain gone than Mukhtar called a select few of his influential faithful followers and told them that they should not delay and should not wait any more they should rise in revolt at once. They said we are obedient to you. We are ready to abide by your decision but we should be given time for a week so that we may make our weapons ready and in order to finish our preparations for war.

Mukhtar said that he did not expect Abdullah to grant him time for a week. Sad bin Abi Sad said, don't worry if Abdullah calls and imprisons you, we will have you released from the jail easily. Hearing that Mukhtar kept quite. They took him to an unknown place and hid him there. Then ~ad bin Abi Sad said to the like minded people we should make inquires before we revolt whether Mohammad bin Hanafia has really made Mukhtar his deputy for this work or not. If he is really deputed for taking bay'at on behalf of Mohammad bin Hanafia, we should rise in revolt under his command without any hesitation and if Mohammad bin Hanafia has not entrusted him with this task and he just wants to trick us, we should not have anything to do with him.

Sad bin Abi Sad therefore took three or four persons with him and immediately left for Madinah. Having called on Mohammad bin Hanafia, they asked and were told in confirMotion that he had really given Mukhtar the permission to avenge Husain's death. After the confirMotion Sad bin Abi Sad came to Kufa with his supporters and briefed the people there. When they heard that, they got ready to take bay'at with Mukhtar and obey him. When Mukhtar was informed that he was proved right, he was very pleased. Their doubts were thus dispelled.

He instructed them to include in the group Ibrahim bin Malik bin Ushtur, one of the noblemen of Kufa, to ensure success of the mission. Amir bin Shurahbil, one of the followers of Mukhtar, went to Ibrahim bin Malik and said to him that during Ali bin Abi Talib's regime your father Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) achieved remarkable feats. The people have decided to demand compensation for Husain's death and a good number of people have agreed to it, you should be of the first of those to participate in it. Ibrahim said that he could take part in it provided they made him their leader, Amir bin Shurahbil said, Mohammad bin Hanafia is in fact our Imam and he has made Mukhtar his representative. That's why we have taken bay'at at Mukhtar's hands. Ibrahim said that he himself would see Mukhtar.

Amir bin Shurahbil returned and acquainted Mukhtar with all the facts. The next day Mukhtar took fifteen men with him and called on Ibrahim bin Malik who was sitting on his prayer mat at the time. Mukhtar turned to him and said your father was a man of reputation who was among the supporters of Ali bin Abi Talib. We consider you also to belong to our group and our group to belong to you. Imam Mahdi Mohammad bin Al-Hanafia has sent me as his deputy. You should take bay'at at my hands and I promise that on getting success, you will be given the post of your choice.

The associates attested to the promise. Ibrahim at once stood up from his mat and made Mukhtar sit in his place and took bay'at at his hands. Mukhtar returned after the bay'at. The next night on Rabia al-Awwal 14, 66 A.H. Mukhtar sent his man to Ibrahim with the message, "I have made up my mind to revolt. You too should come to me along with your group." Ibrahim's men kept assembling until midnight.

Through his intelligence network Ayas bin Mudarib was informed that a rebellion would break out that night. He in turn informed Abdullah bin Moti and asked him about the right way to curb it. He counseled him saying, Kufa has seven districts, you should depute a body of five hundred soldiers in each district. If anybody is seen out doors, he should be either arrested or killed. This proposal was duly executed. A chief was sent to each district in order to prevent the people from assembling on the roads and paths.

It was by sheer chance that when Ibrahim was on his way to Mukhtar with his men that he happened to confront Ayas bin Mudarib. Both sides attacked each other and Ayas bin Mudarib was killed by Ibrahim. On the other side, about four thousand supporters had collected around Mukhtar's house. They had to confront a second division of the government History of Islam army. From one side Ibrahim reached Mukhtar's house fighting and pushing and from the other side came the soldiers from all the other districts. They all began to fight in front of Mukhtar's house.

Ibrahim defeated the government army and forced them to retreat. Abdullah bin Moti arrived with more fresh troops. Now Ibrahim and Mukhtar pushed Abdullah bin Moh into Dar-ul-Emarat (the headquarters of the Amir), and then Abdullah bin Moti pushed them back and out of Kufa. The fight continued throughout the night. With the prolongation of the fight, Mukhtar's supporters kept increasing as new people kept coming and joining. Finally, Abdullah bin Moti was forced to remain besieged in his headquarters, Mukhtar continued the siege for three days.

The number of people inside the headquarters of the Amir was so many that the accommodations were insufficient and foodstuff was also in short supply. Abdullah bin Moti went out by a hidden tunnel and concealed himself in Abu Musa Ashari's house. The rest asked for peace and opened the gates of governor's house. Mukhtar took possession of the headquarters and the treasury and distributed a large amount of money among his supporters. The inhabitants of Kufa then assembled at the central mosque. Mukhtar delivered a sermon and coaxed them to recognize Mohammad bin Hanafi's leadership.

Consequently, they pledged to follow the Book (Quran) and Sunnah (traditions of the Prophet ~ ) and sympathize with the descendants of the Prophet *'· Mukhtar also promised to treat them courteously. After the collective bay'at, he came to know that Abdullah bin Moti was hiding in Abu Musa Ashari's house. He sent one hundred thousand dirhams to him and gave him a message, I have been informed that for want of provision for the journey you are staying at Abu Musa' s house please accept this one hundred thousand dirhams pack up your belonging and leave Kufa within three days. Abdullah bin Moti was highly ashamed and so he did not go to Makkah. He went to Basra instead. At the time when Sulaiman bin Sard's supporters came to Basra after their defeat there was a man named Muthanna bin Makhrama Abdi of Basra among them.

After going through Mukhtar's letter they visited the jail to see him. This has been mentioned earlier. Muthanna at once took bay'at at Mukhtar's hands and Mukhtar sent him to Basra with the instructions Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) to take ba'it from the supporters of Ali bin Abi Talib= 11 .,?J on his behalf and increase the number of his men and rev'olt in Basra when he began the revolt in Kufa. Muthanna therefore began to take ba'it from the people secretly and built up a group with him. When Mukhtar intended to revolt in Kufa, he had informed Muthanna in Basra who followed suit on the same date. At the time, Basra was governed by Harith bin Abi Rabia on behalf of Abdullah bin Zubair '----'>- 11 ~ J · Harith did not let the rebels see their plans materialized.

He besieged them in the,ir district and expelled them out of Basra. They left Basra and went to Mukhtar in Kufa. In this way, Basra was saved but Kufa went out of the control of Abdullah bin Zubair '----'>- 11 ~ J · Mukhtar established· his domination in Kufa and befriended its noblemen. He made a few flags, signifying different future campaigns. He was plarming to occupy others cities of the Islamic territories. He handed a few flags over to Abdullah bin Harith bin Ushtur and sent him to Armenia, he gave flags to other commanders to occupy other cities of the Islamic territories.

He handed a flag over to Mohammad bin Umair bin Otarid and sent him to Azerbaijan, he gave yet another to Abdur Rahman bin Qais and sent him to Mosil followed by one to Ishaq bin Masood to take Madayen and another to Sad bin Hudaifa bin Yaman to capture Halwan. Abdullah bin Kami! and Shuraih were made the city magistrate and judge of Kufa respectively. His officers met with success everywhere with the result that the people recognized his reign and took ba'it. Only Mosil could not be brought under control by Abdur Rahman bin Sayeed because there Obaidullah bin Zeyad was deputed governor br Abdul Malik bin Marwan. Abdur Rahman halted at Takrait instead of Mosil and sent the inforMotion to Mukhtar. He deputed Yazid bin Anas for the expedition and giving him three thousand horsemen sent him towards Mosil.

When Obaidullah bin Zeyad heard the news of Yazid bin Anas' arrival, he sent Rabia bin Mukhtar Ghanwi to fight him. There was a confrontation between the two at Babilon 9 Thul Hijja 66 A.H. Rabia was killed and the Syrian army suffered defeat. When the vanquished Syrian soldiers were retreating, Abdullah bin Jumla Khash' ami was seen coming with three thousand soldiers that Obaidullah bin Zeyad had sent to help Rabia. Abdullah stopped them, took them with him History of Islam and the next day, 10 Thul Hijja on Id-ul-Adha day attacked the army from Kufa. That battle also ended in victory for the soldiers from Kufa and the defeat of the Syrians.

The victors captured several thousand Syrians and killed them by the order of Yazid bin Anas and that same evening Yazid bin Anas who had been ill died, but not before making Warqa bin Azib the supreme commander of the army. The next day Warga was informed by his spies that Obaidullah bin Zeyad himself was coming to wage battle. As soon as he heard his name, Warga left Babil and came to Iraq, halted and wrote to Mukhtar, "Because J had a very small army, I had to retreat". That news made the authorities of Kufa condemn Warga because how could he adopt the strategy of a defeated army after having been victorious. Mukhtar gave Ibrahim bin Malik bin Ushtur seven thousand troops from Kufa and ordered him to take all the soldiers that had been under the command of Yazid bin Anas and put them under his own command. After Ibrahim's departure, some of the people of Kufa called on Sheeth bin Rabi and complained that Mukhtar did not honor them rather misappropriated and violated their rights.

Sheeth told them that he would talk to Mukhtar and hear his statement on this matter. When he went to Mukhtar, he was told, I am ready to do every duty in consultation with the people of Kufa and let them share in the booty provided they agree that they will fight Banu Umayyah and Abdullah bin Zubair ~ 11 ~; until their power in reduced to nothing. Sheeth said that he would first talk to those who had sent him. Now in Kufa there were people who had taken bay'at at Mukhtar's hands long before he came to power. They were all his allies and shared his views and faith and he made great allowances for them. Similarly, there were those who had simply taken bay'at for the sake of obedience by recognizing his rule.

They did not share his opinion and were not in favor of taking revenge for Husain's blood. It was they who had grievances against Mukhtar. Therefore, at Sheeth's return they staged a demonstration against Mukhtar and reaching governor's house (at this time Mukhtar's headquarters) they said to him, we dismiss you. Give up your rule because you are not the deputy and caliph of Mohammad bin Hanafia." Mukhtar acted discreetly and foresightedly and tried to make them understand, saying, I don't want to be strict with you. Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) I forgave you for killing Husain (= .JJ1 ._,..;,~) and you will be given all concessions. We are in a state of war with Banu Umayyah at the moment.

You must keep away from creating mischief or it will not be good for you. Go and think over it deeply because the work for which you have made up your mind to do will have disastrous consequences." Their chiefs agreed to Mukhtar's suggestions at the time and promised to think it over. Their reason for agreeing was to allow Ibrahim bin Malik enough time to get as far away from Kufa as possible so that he would not be a danger to them. Mukhtar also was thinking of Ibrahim and felt his helplessness in Ibrahim's absence, he therefore sent a fast camel-rider to Ibrahim with the message to come back to Kufa in the shortest possible time. He fortified the Amir's headquarters and settled in there firmly. The people laid siege to it the next day.

The third day saw Ibrahim returning to Kufa with his army. He started killing those who rose against Mukhtar. In short, there remained not even a single house in Kufa, which had not lost one, two or more persons. Mukhtar assembled all the people and had a list prepared that contained the names of those who were present in Ibn Zeyad's army at the time of Husain's murder or \ ;) stating: "I am at the Amir's headquarters in Kufa. I obey you and recognize your caliphate from the core of my heart. Please make me the Governor of Kufa." History of Islam Abdullah bin Zubair (-= .;;,1 er") at once realized that he wanted to come into power and this was a ruse to deceive him and keep him unmindful of his seditious activities.

He decided to test Mukhtar's obedience so he sent Amr bin Abdur Rahman bin Harith bin Hisham Makhzumi to Kufa with the written command of Amr's governorship of Kufa. When Mukhtar came to know of it, he sent Zaid bin Qodama with five hundred cavalry and seventy thousand dirhams to stop Amr bin Abdur Rahman on the way and send him back giving him the money as compensation. He further instructed that in case he refused he -should be arrested. Amr bin Abdur Rahman at first refused to accept it but when he saw the strong army of five hundred, he thought it wiser and expedient to accept it. He therefore left for Basra with the money. Abdullah bin Moti had also gone there and now Amr bin Abdur Rahman joined him there, the governor of Basra at the time was Harith bin Abu Rabia.

Mukhtar's claim to Prophethood and Ali's chair When Ali (= ..'i,1 cr".J) lived in Kufa, he had a specific chair that he used to sit on and often issued orders from that seat. His sister's son named Jadah bin Hubairah, the son of Umm Hani bint Abu Talib, lived in Kufa and the chair in question was in his possession. Having established himself as the ruler in Kufa, Mukhtar tried to take possession of this chair. Jadah said to him, "Please give me a week's time so that I may find it and give it to you." Mukhtar said, "I could never give you more than three days time. If you fail to bring me the chair within the stipulated time, I will deal harshly with you." In Jadah's district there lived a dealer of oil. He had a similar chair with him.

Jadah purchased it from him and took it home secretly. He cleaned it, wrapped it in a cover and took it to Mukhtar with great formality and care. Mukhtar accepted the chair, rewarded him well, kissed it, and put it in front of him and performed the prayer. Then he convened a meeting of his followers and said to them, "Just as Allah made a chest the source of victory and prosperity for the children of Israel (Editors note: This is a reference to the Ark of the Covenant), similarly He made this chair a symbol for the followers of Ali (..'i,1 -r°" ~). From this day forward we will become victorious everywhere." Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) His followers rubbed their eyes on it, kissed it, and bowed their heads before it. Then he ordered a cabinet to be made for the chair.

An attractive cabinet with a silver lock containing the chair and with guards assigned for its protection was put in the Grand Mosque in Kufa. Whoever went there for prayer kissed it. Much before his coming to power in Kufa, Mukhtar had started spreading his net of deceit and enslaving the masses with his supposed extraordinary spiritual powers. After gaining power in Kufa, his cunningness in this way was easier to perpetrate. Slowly and gradually, he was moving in a direction to make a claim to Prophethood. When Mukhtar captured Kufa and wrote to Abdullah bin Zubair ( "'J ~ .11), Abdul Malik bin Marwan approximately during the s.ame period gave an army to Abdul Malik bin Harith bin Hakam bin Abul Aas and sent him to Wadi-ul-Qara for a few days.

It was to be the first invasion on Abdullah bin Zubair (~ .11 ~;) by _Abdul Malik bin Marwan. Having heard the news of the invasion, Mukhtar wrote a second letter to Abdullah bin Zubair (= .11 , .. ,-;J. "If you want I shall send an army from Kufa for your support." Abdullah bin Zubair C,,°"'J ~ .&1) answered: "If you send an army as an obedient person, send it towards Wadi-ul-Qara". Mukhtar handed over a three thousand man army to Shurahbil bin Wars Hamdani with the instructions that he should go directly to Madinah, write to him about the state of affairs there and comply with the orders which he would send to him later. His purpose was to please Muhammad bin Hanafia by sending an army to Madinah, which would not be objected to by Abdullah bin Zubair (= .11 "'J) and which would also enhance his influence among Ali's supporters. Abdullah bin Zubair (~ 11 ~;) understood these clever ploys by Mukhtar.

When he answered Mukhtar's letter Abdullah bin Zubair ( '-'-'" .&1 ~ ;) assigned to Abbas bin Saha! two thousand soldiers instructing him that if Mukhtar sent an army from Kufa, it should first be ascertained whether it was coming as an ally or as rebel forces. If obedient, it should 0be used; if not, it should be sent back. If it refused to go back, it should be faced. Abbas and Shurahbil met at Raqeem. Abbas said to him, "Accompany us to .Wadi-ul-Qara to face the enemy." Shurahbil said, "We have been ordered to go directly to History of Islam Madinah. There we shall await another order and then we will be able to move." Abbas first entertained the Kufans with delicacies.

And then as punishment for refusal, he launched an attack on them and compelled Mukhtar's three thousand men with his two thousand men, he killed seventy of them and sent the remainder back to Kufa. Mukhtar took advantage of it and wrote a letter to Muhammad bin Hanafia complaining against Abdullah bin Zubair (= .'iii i,,"J)- "He did not let my army reach you, which I had sent in your support. Now it is important that you send your cl}ief confidante to me so that I may send a strong army with him and the people will be honored and graced with the sight of your messenger." Muhammad bin Hanafia replied expediently, "I am aware of your love of truth. You should leave me alone in peace and avoid shedding the blood of Allah's creatures. Had I been desirous of ruling and becoming a leader, I would have rallied around me more people than you have. However, I have dismissed and abandoned all my supporters and the final decision rests with Allah." Obaidullah bin Zeyad was killed It has already been mentioned that the Kufans defeated the Syrians on Eid al-Adha day in 66 A.H. but the Kufqn general had retreated as soon as he was informed of the advance of Ibn Zeyad.

Hearing that news, Mukhtar had sent his commander in chief, Ibrahim bin Malik bin Ushtur with seven thousand soldiers but as mentioned Ibrahim had to return to Kufa. People were massacred in large numbers in Kufa and all those who were opposed to Ali's supporters, were completely crushed, which averted and prevented such dangers in the future. Having been relieved of that situation, Mukhtar sent Ibrahim bin Malik from Kufa on an expedition to confront Ibn Zeyad on 22 Dhul-Hijjah 66 A.H. At this time Kufa was in no danger of any uprising, as the people were extremely terrified, the influential and important leaders were sent along with Ibrahim. The cabinet containing the chair was also dispatched. The purpose was to instill confidence in the ~rmy of its victory in advance.

Ibrahim bin Malik crossed the Iraqi border with terrific speed and entered Mosil where Obaidullah bin Zeyad was governing on behalf Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Pliase) of Abdul Malik bin Marwan. Hearing of the approaching army, Obaidullah left Mosil and both the armies encamped at a place adjacent to the Khazir. After passing the night and performing salah al-Fajr (the pre-dawn prayer), they attacked each other. It was a bloody battle. Signs of defeat were visible on the Kufan side but Ibrahim bin Malik' s courage and perseverance made the Kufans stand firmly. The commanders of both sides displayed feats of valor but ultimately the Syrians suffered defeat and their general Obaidullah bin Zeyad was killed.

Along with him the next great Syrian chief, Haseen bin Numer, was also killed by Sharik binJadid Taghlibi. When the fight was over and the Syrians were either killed or driven away, Ibrahim bin Malik said to them, "I have killed a man near the canal under the flag whose clothes give off the scent of musk. My sword has cut him into two parts. Go and see who he was." They went there and found that it was Obaidullah bin Zeyad. His head was cut off and the body was consigned to flames. Along with the celebration of victory Obaidullah bin Zeyad's head was also sent to Mukhtar in Kufa.

Najdeh bin Amir Captures Yamamah Najdeh bin Amir bin Abdullah bin Sad bin Mufreh had started an uprising in the adjoining areas of Yamamah in 65A.H. He wisely did not accept the command of his men rather he entrusted one of his group called Abu Talut with the task. That group had not acquired any significance by 65 A.H. except for ma½ing night attacks on caravans and making the roads dangerous for travelers. In 66 A.H., they became so powerful that they began to loot and annihilate cities. At this point, Najdeh assumed the leadership by removing Abu Talut and at the end of 66 A.H., he established himself as the permanent ruler of the place and its adjoining areas. Abdullah bin Zubair (11 ,.?J ~) could nqt send an army towards Yamamah during that period because Syria and Iraq were more important to him at the time.

Consequently, Najdeh's rule over Yamamah lasted until 69 or 70 A.H. Preparation for the Invasion on Kuf a Abdullah bin Zubair (~ 11 ...,-"J) was recognized as caliph in 64 A.H. and in the same year Egypt, Palestine and Syria were excluded from the jurisdiction of his caliphate and the caliphate of Banu Umayyah History of Islam was re-established. In 65 A.H., there were uprisings in some provinces but Abdullah bin Zubair continued to be regarded as caliph and no other province was lost from under his control. In 66 A.H., both Kufa and Yamamah went out of his jurisdiction. Mukhtar and Najdeh bin Amir established their rule in Kufa and Yamamah respectively. Basra and Persia were controlled by Harith bin Rabia and Muhallab bin Abu Sofra respectively and the mischief of the Khawarij was crushed immediately as soon as it raised the specter of revolt.

Basra was being lured and swayed by Mukhtar. Both Abdullah bin Moti, the exGovernor of Kufa, and Amr bin Abdur Rahman, the nominated Governor of Kufa, were present in Basra. They avoided Abdullah bin Zubair and their presence in Basra might mean danger to him as their complicity in some sort of conspiracy could not be ruled out. When Abdullah bin Zubair (-= .:., c?J) heard that Obaidullah bin Zeyad was killed by Ibrahim bin Malik, he heaved a sigh of relief and was relieved of some pressure from the side of the Syrians plus it meant that Abdul Malik bin Marwan's power had received a set-back and therefore he could not venture to attack the Hijaz any time soon. However, the dangers around Basra multiplied many fold because Mukhtar bin Abu Obaida's attention was likely to be focused on Basra itself. Because of this he at once removed the Governor of Basra, Harith bin Rabia and in his place deputed his own brother Mus'ab bin Zubair (= .:;,, Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) Mus'ab lay his hands on anyone else besides you to be his messenger"?

He said. "I am not a messenger. I have come for my own selfish end, to narrate to you the conditions prevalent in Kufa. Our slaves sons have dispossessed us of our assets and houses and the afflicted ones have sought refuge in Basra and cry for help and rescue from this catastrophe." Muhallab handed over the administration of the Persian Province to his son, Mughira bin Muhallab, and made satisfactory arrangements for the territory. Then he collected a huge amount of money, material and troops and marched towards Basra and met Mus'ab bin Zubair (~ .'i.1 c,-"'; ) there. Abdullah bin Zubair's letter had already reached Muhallab advising him to see Mus'ab bin Zubair (= 11 IS"';) in Basra and invade Kufa.

When Muhallab hesitated and delayed a bit, Mus'ab had to send a messenger from Basra to Makkah. Abdullah bin Zubair (~ .'i.1 c,-"';) might have delayed a bit more in launching an attack on Kufa but when Mukhtar began to massacre people on a large scale in Kufa and announced his claim that Jibrail (the angel of revelation) visits me with the Wahi (revelation) from Allah and I have been made a prophet", the inhabitants began to flee from the city. Some went to Basra and some went direct to Abdullah bin Zubair (= .'i.1 IS"';) and narrated to him the atrocities perpetrated by Mukhtar and his claim to prophethood. Hearing that Mukhtar am1ounced his claim to prophethood, Abdullah bin Zubair (= 11 IS"';) did not think it proper to delay even a little in exterminating this abomination. He wrote to Muhallab to move quickly and answered Mus' ab insisting that he wait for the arrival of Muhallab in Basra and then together with him invaded Kufa. The Death of Mukhtar and Capture of Kufa When Muhallab came, Mus' ab bin Zubair (~ .'i.1 IS"';) asked him to array his army in a particular manner.

He sent Abdur Rahman bin Ahnaf to Kufa and instructed rum to stay there and take the oath of allegiance from the people in the name of Abdullah bin Zubair (.'i.1 IS"'J ~). He set Abbad bin Haseen Hatmi Tamimi in the vanguard, Umar bin Obaidullah bin Mamar on the right flank, Muhallab bin Abu Sofra on the left flank and himself in the middle. Arrayed in this manner the History of Islam army left Basra and marched towards Kufa. When Mukhtar received the news, he also came out of Kufa with his army. Ibrahim bin Malik was Governor of Mosil at the time and he failed to come to Kufa. There was a group in the army of Basra consisting of those who had fled from Kufa and sought refuge in Basra.

That group was led by Muhammad bin Ash' ath. The confrontation of those two armies took place near a village named Madar. It was a fierce battle in which Mukhtar was defeated. He fled from Kufa, fortified the royal palace and stayed there besieged. When the Kufan army was put to rout, Mohammad bin Ash'ath followed the runaways and continued slaying them as they escaped for a long distance. Mus' ab bin Zubair besieged the royal palace that lasted for several days.

One thousand people were besieged inside the palace with Mukhtar. Finally, compelled by the shortage of food supplies, he made up his mind to open the gate of the fort and die fighting. His companions forbade him and advised him to ask Mus'ab for security of his life before opening the gate. They were sure that Mus'ab would give him security of his life but he disapproved of this advice. He poured scented oil on his head, rubbed perfume on his clothes, armed himself and came out of the palace. Only nineteen persons accompanied him.

The rest remained behind in the palace. Mukhtar came out and attacked and was killed by the sons of Abdullah bin Dajaja Saifi. Mukhtar was killed on 14 Ramadan 67 A.H. Among his companions who were killed included Obaidullah Ali bin Abu Talib. Mus'ab arrested those who were besieged in the palace. Those arrested on the battlefield were also brought to Kufa.

The captives were brought to a vast field and a counsel was held. Muhallab bin Abi Sofra was of the opinion that they should be let off but Mohammad bin Ash' ath and all the other Ku fans forbade Mus' ab bin Zubair to act upon that advice. Mus'ab bin Zubair was in a fix. The Kufans said. "They took the oath of allegiance, at Mukhtar's hands and he did not spare a single house in Kufa he put at least one or two persons to death in every house. If the. captives were set free, the whole of Kufa will turn rebellious." The captives numbered six thousand.

Seven hundred were Arabs and the rest were Persians. After deep thought Mus'ab bin Zubair finally Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) decided that they should be done away with and therefore, all were slain. The Kufans heaved a sigh of relief. Mus'ab had Mukhtar's both hands severed and hung on the gate of Kufa's central mosque, which continued hanging there until the time of Hajjaj's leadership. Having captured Kufa, Mus'ab bin Zubair wrote a letter to Ibrahim bin Malik who was appointed Governor of Mosil by Mukhtar, "You must surrender to me. I shall give you authority over Syria.

I also promise that all the countries you capture from Syria to the west will be granted to you." Now after Mukhtar's death, Abdul Malik bin Marwan from Damascus wrote a letter to Ibrahim, "You lay down your arms before me and I shall give you authority over Iraq and what ever territories yo1,1 occupy towards the east will,be included under your rule." Ibrahim had received identica!Jetters from both the sides. He preferred Mus'ab to Abdul Malik. He visited Kufa, recognized Abdullah bin Zubair's caliphate and took the oath of allegiance, at Mus'ab's hands. Mus'ab deputed Muhallab bin Abi Sofra to Mosil and Jazirah (The region that lies between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers and is bounded on the south by a line running between Takrit and Anbar. It is the northern end of Mesopotamia, now making up part of northern Iraq and extending into eastern Turkey and extreme northeastern Syria) and kept Ibrahim with hfm as commander-in-chief. When Abdullah bin Zubair (-= 11 cs""_;) heard of Mukhtar's death and the capture of Kufa, he nominated Mus'ab and his own son Hamza bin Abdullah, as the Governor of Kufa and Basra.

Hamza displeased the people of Basra and they wrote letters to Abdullah bin Zubair ( '---"' 11 cs-" J) requesting him to dismiss .him and send Mus'ab as Governor. Finally in 68 A.H., the Governorship of Basra was also entrusted to Mus'ab by Abdullah bin Zubair (-= ./iii CS'-'~). Amr bin Sayeed was killed It has already been mentioned that Obaidullah bin Zeyad, following his failure in confronting and ·besieging Zafar bin Harith, had left Qarqisa. When Ibn Zeyad was killed, Abdul Malik organized his army and wanted to invade Iraq. First of all he thought it proper to invade