. Zafar bin HaritQ Kalbi, the Governor of Qarqisa. Abdul Malik

t~erefore appointed his sister's son Abdur Rahman bin Umm Hakam as his deputy in Damascus and he himself, taking Amr bin Sayeed bin History of Islam Aas and an army set out to Qarqisa. Mention has been made previously that Marwan bin Hakam was enthroned on the condition that Khalid bin Yazid and Amr bin Sayeed would be the rulers respectively after him. Instead of giving the reign of the country to them, he declared his own sons Abdul Malik and Abdul Aziz as his successors. Khalid and Amr both were deposed from the succession. Amr bin Sayeed commanded respect and popularity among Banu Umayyah. He had many slaves and material possessions.

He also had ability as a commander. When Abdul Malik sat on the throne after Marwan, he treated Amr bin Sayeed so well that his resentment and rankling in his heart evaporated and when he marched with his army to Qargisa, Amr bin Sayeed asked him on the way to nominate him as his successor, since similar promises were made to him earlier he simply . wanted a formal announcement and confirMotion. Abdul Malik refused to fulfil his wish and Amr bin Sayeed felt betrayed and distraught. Having an opportunity on the way he slipped away and returned to Damascus and immediately after his arrival drove out Abdur Rahman, the acting governor, occupied Damascus and declared his caliphate and reign. He gathered the people, gave a sermon and made promises to fix salaries for them and treat them kindly. On receiving this news, Abdul Malik immediately returned to Damascus and laid a siege to it.

The fight continued for a long period Abdul Malik could not pay attention to any other issue. At last, the people made them agree to a reconciliation. The agreement was drafted and Amr bin Sayeed coming out of the town, met Abdul Malik in his tent and handed over Damascus to him. Abdul Malik always had an apprehension of Amr bin Sayeed. Now he thought it important to stamp out that danger. He invited him to his court to begin the deception.

Amr bin Sayeed came and sat on the throne beside him as usual. Some persons had already been put in place to carry out the deed of treachery and so he was caught and killed. When Amr bin Sayeed's brother Yahya received the inforMotion, he rushed with one thousand people to attack the headquarters of the Amir and besieged it. Abdul Malik cut off Amr bin Sayeed's head and tossed it down to them and rained down money from above. They people began to pick up money and Yahya was left standing all alone. Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) At last, he was caught and imprisoned.

Amr bin Sayeed's sons were also sent to jail with Yahya. They remained there until Mus'ab bin Zubair (= 1115"'~) was killed and Abdul Malik occupied Iraq. Amr bin Sayeep was killed in 69 A.H. Mus'ab bin Zubair's Imprudence It has been mentioned above that Basra was ruled over by Hamza bin Abdullah bin Zubair for less than a year and after that its administration was also entrusted to Mus' ab bin Zubair Mus' ab bin Zubair personally went to Basra and appointed Amr bin Obaidullah his deputy there, and instructed him to go to Persia to discipline the Khawarij if needed, and to depute smneone else in Basra. After shifting and replacing the governors and lieutenants of these provinces and staying for a few days there, he left Basra and returned to Kufa. In 70 A.H., the mischief of the Khawarij gained momentum.

Mughira bin Muhallab and Amr bin Obaidullah failed to stamp it out. Mus'ab bin Zubair transferred Muhallab bin Abi Sofra from the Governorship of Mosil to that of Persia and ordered him to suppress the Khawarij there. It is understood that none other than Muhallab bin Abi Sofra could have tackled the problem of the Khawarij. He said, "I am glad to go to Persia but to shift me from here will be extremely harmful for you because Abdul Malik bin Marwan has begun to spread his net of secret conspiracies in Iraq. I have been studying his manipulation very minutely. I am afraid if I depart from here, he might succeed in his maneuverings." Mus'ab bin Zubair considered the urgency of Persia more of a priority to a problem that was not yet manifested.

Muhallab was therefore ordered to leave for Persia. Mus'ab had two very efficiei1t and experienced generals Ibrahim and Muhallab. He had one of them part from him. He sent Abdullah bin Hzim as Governor of Khurasan. Abbad bin Haseen was put with Muhallab both of whom were seasoned veterans and experienced generals. Thus, Mus'ab bin Zubair separated his ·able men from him and sent them to distant places.

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

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

He punished and fined Khalid's companions and had the houses of some pulled down. Similarly in Kafa too, Abdul Malik' s men had been working secretly. The greatest trouble was from some military leaders like Attab bin Warqa who had entered into a plot with Abdul Malik. On the one hand, Abdul Malik began to make preparations for a major battle, and spread conspiracies of rebellion among the armies of Kufa and Basra on the other. One day, Ibrahim bin Ushtur received a sealed letter from Abdul Malik bin Marwa~. He immediately knew what it contained.

He gave it to Mus' ab unopened with the seal still intact. When Mus' ab read it, it disclosed that Abdul Malik had written to Ibrahim, "Come to my side. I shall make you the Governor of Iraq." Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) The Death of Mus'ab bin Zubair At last, after completing his preparations, Abdul Malik left Syria and marched towards Iraq. He left Damascus after he had received many letters from the noblemen of Kufa inviting him to invade it at once. His counselors forbade him saying the letters from Kufa might be similar to those received by Husain ('--"' .'ii, cs--".;). Abdul Malik said, "Imam Husain(= 11 '-,..,'J) was fully dependent on Kufa.

I am going with a strong army. Their breach of trust and betrayal can not harm me. I am sure, once they see me with a strong army, they will not go back on the promise they made in their letters." At last, Abdul Malik marched with his army. Mus' ab bin Zubair also started from the other side. At the time when Abdi:i'I Malik's news of attack reached Kufa, Mus'ab bin Zubair had already sent Amr bin Obaidullah bin Mamar to Persia to help suppress the Khawarij. So even Amr bin Obaidullah was away from the battle.

Both the armies pitched their tents at Dair jathaleeq. Mus'ab bin Zubair's army was small because at the last-minute many of his men refused to go and presented lame excuses. A large number of those who ventured to come on to the battlefield were in collusion with the enemy and were waiting to join the enemy the moment the battle started. The fight began and Abdul Malik first attacked the part of the army commanded by Ibrahim bin Malik because he feared him. The attack was launched by Abdul Malik's brother Mohammad bin Marwan. Both sides displayed exemplary valor.

Ultimately Ibrahim pushed Mohammad bin Marwan back. Seeing him retreat, Abdul Malik sent Obaidullah bin Yazid with a fresh group of soldiers to help Mohammad because they were in a pitched battle. It was in this fight that Muslim bin Umar Bahli (Qutaiba bin Muslim's father) was killed.' When Mus'ab bin Zubair saw Ibrahim getting mobbed, he sent Attab bin Warga to his restue. Attab bin Warga had already taken the oath of allegiance secretly for Abdul Malik. He fled from the field accordingly. Ibrahim, though surrounded by enemies, killed fighting bravely.

His death boosted the morale of Abdul Malik and the Syrians ai\d they were now very sure of their victory. History of Islam Mus'ab bin Zubair asked his other generals and associates to move ahead and launch an attack but no one moved from his place. They all turned as if deaf. Only a few were fighting and the remaining Kufan soldiers were only spectators. The Kufan's betrayal this time even exceed the betrayal which they had perpetrated on Imam Husain(= 11 ._...;,,) because they were forced by Ibn Zeyad and his army not to support Imam Husain(= 11 ._...;,,) and they were terror stricken to the extreme. It was nothing but greed and their sheer disobedience, betrayal and ingratitude that stopped them from siding with Mus'ab bin Zubair.

Abdul Malik did not want Mus' ab to be killed so he sent his brother Muhammad bin Marwan to him with the word, "The fight has taken a turn for t{:le worse for you. You can never win. I give you security and pardon. Please accept it." Mus'ab refused, saying," Allah's security is sufficient for me." Then Mohammad bin Marwan said to Mus'ab's son Isa, "Amir al-Muminin Abdul Malik has granted security to you and to your father." Hearing that he came to his father. Mus'ab said, "Yes, I do believe that the Syrians will keep their promise with you. You may go with their security if you like." Isa said, "I shall not give the chance to the women of Quraish to say that Isa has betrayed his father for the sake of his own life." Mus'ab said, "Well, then go to your uncle Abdullah bin Zubair (~ 11 ._...;,,) in Makkah and narrate to him about the Iraqi's betrayal.

Leave me here. I have considered myself already killed." Isa said, "I won't go to break that kind of news. You can leave the battlefield and go to Basra. The people there are very pleased with you. They are loyal to you in all respects. Some alternative might be thought out in Basra or let us go to Makkah then." Mus'ab said, "My son, this is not possible because my flight from the field would become a topic of heated discussion among the Quraish.

Better give up this idea and attack the enemy." Isa then took his troops and attacked the enemy and after killing many of the enemy soldiers, he dropped dead before his father's eyes. Abdul Malik came forward and entreated Mus'~b, "Please gq...,back from the field or accept the offer of security. In his appeal, h~ ~as humble but Mus'ab ignored it. That must have been a strange time, Abdul Malik was pleading with his enemy for his safety while Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) simultaneously seeing the consequences of his secret plots. The Kufan army was in the field but it was not obeying its' Amir' and silently watching from a distance. Mus'ab bin Zubair was puzzled seeing the army that had followed his orders and sacrificed their lives, treacherously abandoning him.

By killing Mus' ab bin Zubair and Imam Husain (~ 1, er-";) the Kufans committed a crime of the same magnitude although these two crimes were accomplished in two different ways. Imam Husain(= 1, _,;,;) wanted his enemies to let him leave the battlefield and go to either Makkah or Damascus or any other place and Mus'ab bin Zubair's enemies themselves wished him to leave the battlefield and go to the place of his choice. Imam Husain's enemies did not listen to him and here Mus'ab bin Zubair rejected his enemies appeal to escape. The consequences in both the cases were the same. Mus' ab bin Zubair went to his tent after his son's death, put oil on his hair, perfumed himself, came out and attacked his enemies. Only seven persons were left with him and they were all killed together with him.

He attacked so fiercely that he disturbed the Syrian's lines. At last, he dropped unconscious after receiving innumerable wounds of arrows, swords and spears. As soon as he collapsed, the Syrians cut off his head and so in 71 A.H. a decade after, the drama of Karbala it was repeated at Dair Jathaleeq. Abdul Malik took the oath of allegiance from all the Kufan army for his caliphate on that same battlefield. He left it and reached Nakhlah near Kufa and halted there for forty days. When he felt satisfied that the Kufan's would remain loyal, he entered the city.

He delivered a sermon at the central mosque in which he promised to treat them kindly. Then he pleased them with gifts and by treating them honorably. He wrote to the Governors of Persia, Khorasan, Basra and Ahwaz to take the oath from their people for him. He retained M uhallab bin Abi Sofra in his original position. They all recognized Abdul Malik's caliphate since there was no other alternative. Only Abdullah bin Hazim who governed a part of Khorasan, refused to take the oath and was killed by Bahr bin Warqa after a few days.

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

Obaidullah bin Zeyad and the other chiefs failed to subdue Zafar bin Harith and in every attack the Syrians suffered defeat. Now when Abdul Malik bin Marwan turned to Iraq with his army, he gave an army to Aban bin Oqba bin Abu Mu'ait, the governor of Hims, and sent him ahead before his own departure. The purpose was to defeat Zafar bin Harith. Aban arrived and began the fight. Abdul Malik arrived there with a huge army before the b'attle had rendered any result. He laid siege to Qarqisa.

Zafar bin Harith ordered his son Hudhail to attack the Syrians and not to return before the fall of Abdul Malik's tent. Hudhail obeyed his father and launched such a fierce attack that he succeeded in felling Abdul Malik's tent and returned safely. When Abdul Malik realized that it was not going to be easy to win Qargisa and subdue Zafar bin Harith, he sent a message to him, "I give safety and pardon to you and your son. Take whatever post you like." Zafar bin Harith replied, "I agree to compromise with you provided you don't press me to take the oath for a year and you do not demand any help from me against Abdullah bin Zubair." The agreement was about to be written when Abdul Malik received news that four towers of the city's gate had been razed to the ground therefore he refused to compromise and ordered the attack to continue. However, it proved fruitless and Zofar bin Harith forced Abdul Malik's army to retreat. Abdul Malik sent the message again, saying that he was ready to agree to all his 'conditions.

Zofar bin Harith said, "I won't take the oath for anyone as long as Abdullah bin Zubair (= .11 ._,.:,J) is living. Further, I want your promise that my troops will not be subjected to any interrogation or revenge." Abdul Malik accepted all his conditions wrote the agreement and sent Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) it to him. Despite this Zofar bin Harith did not go to Abdul Malik because the case of Amr bin Sayeed was known to all. Ultimately, Abdul Malik sent the Prophet's staff he had with him to Zofar bin Harith. Zofar bin Harith kept this staff as a guarantor and went to Abdul Malik. Abdul Malik made him sit by his side on the throne and honored him and had his son Muslim bin Abdul Malik married to Zofar bin Harith's daughter.

Freeing himself from the problems of Qarqisa he moved towards Mus' ab bin Zubair, the outcome of that advance has been narrated above. The News of Mus'ab bin Zubair's Death in Makkah When the news reached Abdullah bin Zubair (= 11 CS""J) in Makkah that his brother, Mus'ab bin Zubair, was betrayed and treacherously killed and all of the territories of Iraq went under the domination of Abdul Malik bin Marwan, he gathered all the Makkans and addressed them as follows: You should know that Allah does not dishonor him who is on the right path though alone, and does not honor him whose supporter is the Satan though he has many supporters. And you should know that news has come from Iraq that makes me sad and happy, news of Mus'ab bin Zubair's death has come. I am happy because his death amounts to his martyrdom. I am sad because parting with a loyal friend at a time of crisis gives a burning pain, which every friend would feel. A man of good sense accepts it patiently and unwaveringly.

Who was Mus'ab? He was one of the slaves of Allah and one of my supporters. Let it be known to you that the Iraqis are very disloyal and great hypocrites. They bartered the profit gained from Mus' ab for a petty price. If Mus' ab was slain, his father, brother and son who were all very gentle and pious were also slain. By Allah, we shall not die in bed as the descendents of Abul-Aas are dying (This is in reference to Abdul Malik' s father Marwan bin Hakam.

Abul Aas was the grandfather of Marwan). By Allah, none ~f them was killed on the battlefield either in the days of ignorance or after the coming of Islam. We are used to _dying from the wounds of spears and swords. Brothers, beware, the ·world has been taken as a loan from the Magnificent Emperor whose kingdom is eternal and whose territory History of Islam doesn't perish. If the world comes to us, we shall not take it as the low, the deviated and the disgraced do and if it turns its back on us and escapes, we shall not weep over it as the weak, the destitute and the senseless do. This is what I wanted to tell you and I beg forgiveness of Allah for you all.

Abdul Malik and Abdullah bin Zubair (~ .:iii .s-PJ) After bringing Iraq under his domination, Abdul Malik sent Urwah bin Anif with six thousand men to Madinah with the instructions to halt outside of the city and not to enter it unless he received another order from him. Harith bin Hatib bin Ma'mar was the Governor of Madinah who was appointed by Abdullah bin Zubair. Hearing of Urwa's approach, Harith left the city. Urwa encamped outside the city for a month without touching or disturbing anything, then he went back to Abdul Malik in Damascus and Harith returned to Madinah. Abdullah bin Zubair ("--"' 11 CS"") had sent Sulaiman bin Khalid as the Governor of Khaibar and Fadak. Abdul Malik bin Marwan gave Abdul Malik bin Harith bin Hakam four thousand soldiers and ordered him to conquer the Hijaz.

He encamped in Wadi Al-Qura and from there he sent lbn Qamqam with a division of the army to Khaibar with the instructions to launch a night attack on Sulaiman. Sulaiman was.caught and killed and lbn Qamqam stayed at Khaibar. Hearing the news of the invasion of the Hijaz, Abdullah bin Zubair (~ 11 \.>"""'.,,) dismissed Harith bin Hatib from the governorship of Madinah and appointed Jabir bin Aswad bin' Auf Zuhri in his place. Jabir reached Madinah and sent Abu Bakr bin Abu Qais with a regiment of six hundred soldiei;s to Khaibar. In the battle that ensued, lbn Qamqam suffered a defeat and fled. Some of his troops were killed on the battlefield and some escaped.

When Abdul Malik bin Marwan received the news, he sent Tariq bin Amr as the commander of the Hijaz expedition. He further instructed him to halt between Wadi Al-Qara and 'Eila' and try his best to stop the Governors of lbn Zubair (= 11 s?J) from advancing and capturing any more territory, and stamp out the movement against him there before it succeeded. Tariq did accordingly. He sent a strong army Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) towards Khaibar. In the skirmish that followed, Abu Bakr bin Abu Qais along with two hundred soldiers was killed. Tariq stayed at Khaibar.

Jabir bin Aswad received the news and sent two thousand soldiers from Madinah to face Tariq. The clash took place near Khaibar. Tariq was victorious and killed all the captives and the wounded. Abdullah bin Zubair ("'------'>- 11 ~)) dismissed Jabir bin Aswad from the governorship of Madin.ah and appointed in his place Talha bin Abdullah bin Auf known as Talhat-un-Nida. After that, the state of Khaibar was annexed to Abdul Malik bin Marwan's caliphate and Talha bin Abdullah continued to govern Madin.ah on behalf of Abdullah bin Zubair (= 11 1,,-,'J). No clash worth mentioning took place between them because Abdul Malik's attention was centered on Iraq and Iran.

Siege of Makkah Abdul Malik wanted to persuade the Syrian chiefs to attack Makkah but all of them refused to face Abdullah bin Zubair (= 11 c, . .-'J) and turn the Ka'bah into a battlefield. He then left Damascus and went to Kufa. There he induced Hajjaj bin Yusuf Thaqafi to do it. Hajjaj took three thousand soldiers and left Kufa in Jumad Al-Awwal 72 A.H. and went to Madinah from there he went to Tai£ and set up camp according to Abdul Malik's instructions. From Taif, he used to send his cavalry to Arafat and they would come back after engaging in small skirmishes. Several months passed by in this way.

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

History of Islam Abdullah bin Zubair (= 111,S""') went to face the enemy daily and tried to get the better of the attackers but the number of his troops kept dwindling and so his plan did not yield any movement towards victory. Many Makkans were going out of the city and the shortage and cost of foodstuff had shaken the hopes of those remaining. In Dhul-Qa' dah 72 A.H. Tariq expelled Talhatun Nida, Abdullah bin Zubair's Governor, from Madinah and made a Syrian the Administrator of Madinah, he himself left for Makkah along with five thousand soldiers. That added to Hajjaj's strength considerably and the little hope the Makkans had, vanished. It was in that state that the month of Dhul Hijjah began and pilgrims from a far started pouring into the city.

Abdullah bin Zubair ( = 11 I,>"' J) had allowed Hajjaj to perform his Hajj but he did not do Tawaf (circumambulation of the Ka'bah) nor did he do Sai (running and walking) between the mounts of Safa and Marwah. When Abdullah bin Zubair (-= 111,S""') wanted to go to the plain of rArafat, Hajjaj prevented him. For this reason, he made the sacrifice in Makkah itself. There was no Imam on the plain of Arafat to lead the prayers and the pilgrims could not perform all the rites of Hajj. Hajjaj did not stop the siege or the rain of stones even during the Hajj and so going around the Ka'bah was fraught with danger. With the arrival of the pilgrims in Makkah, the severity of the famine also increased.

Abdullah bin Omar (1...p .il,1 I,>"' J) also came to perform Hajj that year. Realizing the gravity of the situation, he sent a message to Hajjaj, "O slave of Allah! Think about the people from far off lands that have come for Hajj. They should have the opportunity to make Tawaf (circumambulation of the Ka'bah) and Sai (running and walking) between the mounts of Safa and Marwa. Stop the rain of stones until the end of Hajj." The message had its effect. Hajjaj stopped the catapult but did not make Tawaf himself nor did he allow Abdullah bin Zubair to go to the plain of Arafat.

With the conclusion of the Hajj, the announcement was made on behalf of Hajjaj that those coming from abroad should leave for their homes at once because lbn Zubair (= 11 \,S""'J) was soon going to be showered with stones. As soon as they heard the ominous proclaMotion, they set out for their respective destinations. Along with them most of those who had remained in Makkah escaped. Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) Hajjaj resumed his attack with the catapult. A large boulder fell on the roof of the Ka'bah and it collapsed. With the fall of that stone, a peal of thunder came from the heavens.

Lightning flashed and then darkness engulfed the earth and the sky. Hajjaj's soldiers became terrified and gave up using the catapult. Hajjaj consoled and encouraged them and said, "This lightning and this peal of thunder have come to help me. They symbolize my victory. Don't give way to fear at all." The darkness continued for a couple of days and a loud crackling bolt of lightening killed a few of Hajjaj' s soldiers. The soldiers were extremely concerned.

The lightening was flashing again the next day and a thunderbolt this time hit two soldiers of Abdullah bin Zubair (~ .'iii ,?J) who died on impact. This gladdened Hajjaj's heart and his soldiers also heaved a sigh of relief. Hajjaj himself loaded stones and began shooting them. After that, the fear that was gripping the whole army vanished and the launching of stones resumed more vigorously. Abdullah bin Zubair (= 11 ..,;,J) used to offer his prayer at the Ka'bah and big stones would fall around him but it did not disturb his concentration on Allah and his devotion during his prayer in the least. The siege continued with the same intensity and force.

No supplies from outside Makkah could come in. Things came to such a pass that Abdullah bin Zubair (= 1ii1 ~J) slaughtered his horse and distributed it among the people. He had a stock of grain and dates. He distributed as much as was necessary for them to survive. The purpose was to stand the siege as long as possible. When Hajjaj saw that his plan was not going to succeed, he began to write to Abdullah bin Zubair's men and promise them security and amnesty to those who would join him.

This worked and many of them parted with Abdullah bin Zubair (..,;,J ~ .'iii) and went over to Hajjaj's side finally, only a few persons were left with him. His two sons, Hamza and Habib, also left their father and went over to Hajjaj. The third son remained with his father and displayed valor on the battlefield until the last breath of his life. When thousands of men left Abdullah bin Zubair (= .'iii ~J) and joined the opposing side, Hajjaj gathered them together and addressed them as follows: You can estimate the remaining power of Abdullah bin Zubair (11 ~~ ~). His men are in such short number that if each of you threw a History of Islam handful of pebbles on them, they would all die. Besides that, all of them are hungry and thirsty. 0 my dear Syrians and Kufans!

Advance now. Abdullah bin Zubair (= 11 _,.;,) will live only for a few seconds. Now prior to this speech, Hajjaj had sent a letter to Abdullah bin Zubair ( = 11 _,.;, J) which read: "Now you have been rendered powerless. You have become helpless in all respects. Come under my security and take the oath for Amir alMuminin, Abdul Malik. You will be treated with all honor and every wish of yours will be fulfilled.

I have been ordered by Amir alMuminin to try my best to invite you to reconciliation and not to be hasty in killing you. Martyrdom of lbn Zubair (u-.11 l, S"'J) After going through the letter Abdullah bin Zubair (-= 11 _,.;,J) went to his mother, Asma bint Abu Bakr Siddiq(~ 11 _,.;,J), and said to her: I have been left with no one (to support me). Only five persons worth the name of friend are with me who have supported me until now. The people have betrayed me just as they betrayed Husain bin Ali (11 _,.;,J =). Their sons fought with their swords in front of their fathers only as long as they lived. My sons also went over to the wicked.

Now Hajjaj tells me: "you too come under my security and I shall give you all you demand". I have therefore come to you to seek your advice. Asma (~ 11 _,.;,J) replied: You understand your problem better than I do. If you are on the right path and invite people to it, keep doing it. Your friends died on this right path. You ~hould also remain steadfast on it and meet your martyrdom.

If you had intended to seek worldly prosperity, you are a great misfit. You have not only landed yourself in trouble but also those who are with you. As for my opinion, don't hand yourself over to Banu Umayyah. Death will come on time. You should live and die like a man. Your statement that you are justified and that people have made you weak by their betrayal, is a kind of complaint that does not come on the tongue of the pious." Abdullah bin Zubair (= 11 _,.;,J) said: "I am afraid that after killing me they have my body trampled by horsemen and hang it on the scaffold.

Asma (~ 11 _,.;,J) said: My son! When the goat is slaughtered, it does Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) not care whether it is skinned. Whatever you are doing, keep doing it with insight and keep asking for Allah's help." Abdullah bin Zubair (-= .'i.1 ,_,..;,J) kissed his mother's head and said: "I am also of the same view. I never wished for the world or desired a worldly kingdom. I took this work because the commandments of Allah were not being obeyed and the people did not shun the forbidden things. As long as I breathe, I shall continue to fight for the right.

I thought it necessary to take counsel from you and it has strengthened my will. Mother! I am sure I shall be killed today. Don't be sad. Surrender me to Allah. I never intended to do anything unlawful.

I never committed a breach of trust nor did I perpetrate an atrocity on anyone nor did I support any oppressor. I never did anything against the Divine wish. 0 Allah! I haven't said all these things out of pride but for the consolation and satisfaction of my mother." Asma said, "I hope Allah will reward you for it. Go and attack the enemy with Allah's Name." When Asma (~ .'i.1 ,_,..;, J) embraced her son at the time of bidding him good-bye, her hands happened to touch his armor. She asked, "Why have you put on this armor?" He said, "For satisfaction and strength." Asma (~ 11 ,_,..;, J) said: "Take it off and fight against the enemy in your ordinary clothes." Ibn Zubair ('------"" 11 ,_,..;,J) took the armor off and threw it away. He lifted up the end of his shirt and tied it to his waist.

He rolled up his sleeves and came out of his house and said to his friends: "O children of Zubair (-= 11 ,_,..;,J)! Don't be afraid of the clanging of the swords because applying ointment to a wound hurts it more than what is felt when the wound is received. Hold your swords. Save it, from unlawful killing as you save your face. Lower down your eyes so that they may not get dazzled. Attack your counterpart.

Don't look for me. If you do look for me, you will find me fighting with the enemies in the forefront." Saying that he launched a very ferocious attack on the Syrians. Chopping through their battle array, he reached the rear line of the Syrians and came fighting back to his place. Hajjaj incited his soldiers History of Islam to the utmost but none dared to face Abdullah bin Zubair (= .iii1 _,;, ))- At last, Hajjaj took the infantry and surrounded Abdullah bin Zubair's flag holder. Abdullah bin Zubair (= .iii1 _,..;,;) at once led an attack and brought his flag holder out of the siege and pushed the enemies back. He returned and offered two 'rakats' of 'salah' near Maqam Ibrahim (Station of Ibrahim).

Hajjaj attacked again and the flag holder was killed at Bab Banu Shaiba. The Syrians had stood guard at all the doors of the Haram Sharif (the honored sanctuary). Hajjaj and Tariq had laid siege up to Marwa from the side of Al Batah (this final battle took place in the holy confines of the sanctuary of the Ka'bah). Now lbn Zubair (~ .iii1 _,..;,;) was attacking from one side to the other. Having offered his prayer, he resumed fighting. He attacked in the direction of Bab Safa and pushed the Syrians to the distant rear.

Somebody shot an arrow from the top of Mount Safa. It hit his forehead and he started bleeding. He continued to fight in that condition. In short, he and his companions, from the morning until after the post noon prayer, displayed such exemplary agility and bravery in putting the Syrians to death that the world has never witnessed. At last, all his companions laid down their lives one by one. The enemies rained down stones and arrows on him from all sides threw spears and swords had already left him wounded.

At long last, on Tuesday in Jamad al-Awwal 73 A.H. this grand hero and pious man of the world met his martyrdom. With the exception of valor. and dauntlessness, piety and prayer, courage and nobility, there was none there to mourn over his dead body. The Syrian army cut off his head. When it was taken to Hajjaj, he prostrated out of thankfulness to Allah. The army raised the cry Allahu Akbar. The dead body was hung on a scaffold at the same place Hajun and the h(!~d was sent to Abdul Malik.

Another tradition says that it was not sent to him but it was hung on the wall or the rain channel of the Ka'bah. Asma bint Abi Bakr (4-----;.. .iii1 _,..;, ;) sought permission to bury the dead body but Hajjaj refused. When Abdul Malik came to know of it, he condemned and cursed Hajjaj and allowed it to be buried. Asma also died after a few days. After lbn Zubair's martyrdom, Hajjaj entered the Ka'bah. The entire floor was littered with stones thrown from the catapult.

It was stained Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) with patches of blood. He had the stones removed and the blood washed. He took from the Makkans the oath for Abdul Malik' s caliphate and then returned to Madinah. He lived there for two months and considering the entire population of Madinah as the killers of Uthman bin Affan (~ .'i,1 c?J) he perpetrated atrocities on them. He tortured some of the Prophet's (~) Companions. Then he left for Makkah and after pulling down the construction done by Abdullah bin Zubair on the Ka'bah, he reconstructed it.

Abdul Malik made him the Governor of the Hijaz and Hajjaj bin Yusuf began to live in Madinah in place of Tariq. A Glance at Abdullah lbn Zubair's (~ .iii1 .r"J) Caliphate Following Muawiya's death, his son Yazid did not deserve to be made the caliph of the Muslims at that time there were many people who were more capable of governing and doing the work of the caliphate. Abdullah bin Zubair (-= 11 c?J) was one of them. Yazid's personal life was objectionable and that was why some dignitaries of Islam refused to perform oath for his caliphate. Had Imam Hasan(= .'i,1 c?)) been living after Amir Muawiya(-= 11 c?J) the Muslims could have probably accepted him as their caliph or emperor. Had Abdullah bin Umar (t....p 11 c?)) stood for the caliphate against Yazid, then not only all the sects in Islam would have supported him but also a good number of the people from amongst Banu Umayyah would have been seen in action in his support but he never cared to do it.

Husain ('----"' 11 ~)) tried his best to secure the caliphate but the Kufans betrayed him. He did not accept the advice of the people of Makkah and Madinah, and the people of the Hijaz failed to help him. After him, there was none better than Abdullah bin Zubair (= .'i,1 c?j) who deserved the caliphate. The greatest proof of his justified and legal caliphate is the fact that all the people of the Islamic territories recognized him as their caliph on the basis of their free will, wherever the people were at liberty, none of them opposed him. Yes, Banu Umayyah were his rivals in the matter of caliphate and so they opposed him yet they would have opposed anyone who stood in their way. They re-established their rule in Syria, Palestine and Egypt, with a heavy hand and with the same tyrannical and coercive methods, History of Islam they managed to restore their rule over the entire Islamic world.

Compared to Abdullah bin Zubair's caliphate, Marwan bin Hakam's and Abdul Malik bin Marwan's caliphates are known as the Caliphates of the Rebels. Abdul Malik's period of rule," following Abdullah bin Zubair's martyrdom should be taken as a full-fledged government and a legal caliphate. During his regime, Abdullah bin Zubair (= .11 - .11 ~ J) would have never met with failure against them. Had Abdullah bin Zubair ("'-----"' .11 Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) dedicated and pious life was a beacon and a g~iding star. He was the only caliph who made Makkah his capital city. It was not made the capital by anyone either before him or after him until now.

When we read about the brave feats of Abdullah bin Zubair (= 11 cr"J), his brother Mus'ab bin Zubair ("--'>' 11 ~ J), his father Zubair bin Al Awam ( ~ ..iii ? j) and also the valor and courage of his mother Asma bint Abu Bakr (4-c ' 11 ...-,,J), Tariq bin Zeyad, Mohammad bin Qasim, Muhammad II, Sulaiman the Magnificent, Salahuddin Ayyubi and Nuruddin Zangi, Mahmud Ghaznawi and Shahabuddin Ghauri. It is not the portion of the people of weak 'Iman' (faith) and timorous hearts as we are. That is why Allah has rendered swords, spears and arrows useless and sent cannons, rifles and History of Islam airplanes into the world instead. Also, strength of heart, firmness of determination, height of ambition and courage, as a symbol and as an expression of perfect 'Iman' (faith) can be better displayed by the edge of a sword than by gunpowder and ammunition. Kufa From the Analysis of the conditions of the Kufans so far stated, strange ideas about Kufa and the Kufans grip our hearts and Kufa appears to be one of the most perplexing places on the surface of the entire earth. Abdullah bin Saba and all the conspiring groups scored successes there.

It was the Kufans who were in the fore-front in murdering Uthman b_\n Affan (=.'iii~)); they were again the greatest admirers and lovers of Ali (~ .'iii ~J and it was they who harassed him more than others and were responsible for many of his failures; it was again they who courted Husain (~ .'iii ~J) and were ready to demand the revenge for Ali's death and his caliphate and, at last, it was they who caused Husain's martyrdom and had him murdered mercilessly at Karbala; it was they who first of all were instrumental in demanding the compensation for Husain's blood to prove their love for him in a splendid manner; it was again they who opposed the greatest supporter of the Prophet's descendants Mukhtar bin Abu Obaid and by inviting Mus'ab bin Zubair to attack Kufa had Mukhtar killed; it was they who caused the death of Mus'ab bin Zubair (.'iii ~J ;..____;,.); they showed matchless bravery as well as base cowardice; sometimes they got the.mselves killed fearlessly and opposed the Kufan rulers openly and sometimes they wer~ so terrified that they executed every oppressive measure of the Kufan rulers like Obaidullah bin Zeyad without any question. To understand such contradictory and contrasting traits and situations, we should make an attempt to acquaint ourselves with the conditions and the reality of the inhabitants of Kufa. During the regime of Umar bin Khattab (~ .'i,1 ~J, Kufa was made as a cantonment for those who were at war with the fire-worshippers (Magian/Zoroastrian) of Iran. One part of it consisted of those who came from the Hijaz, Yemen and Hadaramout. They had assembled in Madinah· at Umar bin Khattab's instance and were sent to Iraq. Some Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) of them were those who were the inhabitants of the provinces of Arabia, which bordered on Iraq and were comparatively near Kufa and Basra.

They embraced Islam at the hands of the Prophet's companions and then joined the Islamic army and could not establish a particular link with Madinah nor had they ever seen it. Some were those whose mother tongue was Arabic but they were the subjects of the kingdom of fire-worshippers and then converted to Islam, they found the Islamic way congenial to them and became its supporters from the core of their hearts and fought against the Iranians on behalf of the Muslims. Some were dignitaries of the 'Muhajirs' (Emigrants) and 'Ansars' (Helpers) of Madinah. When Kufa was made a cantonment for the army and the deputy of the caliph and the commander-in-chief of the Iraqi army began to live in Kufa, the citydwellers of many cities of Iran were forced by necessity to establish a . rapport with the capital of Kufa and because of this groups of Iranians began to live there. Compared to the ascetic lives of the Arabian deserts, the royal and victorious lives of the victors of the countries of Kisra, Nausherewan, Kekaus and Kekhusru in Kufa must have been very pleasant indeed: the excess of spoils of war must have contributed its part in enticing them. The greater part of the army acquired land and settled there.

Through this evolution, Kufa not only remained a temporary cantonment and retreat but also turned into a big city very quickly and finally, it assumed the status of Iraq's capital. As the population consisted mainly of soldiers and lacked the facilities of learning and teaching, disciplining of morals and self, the temperament and morality of the city, on the whole, was prone to constant change. It is easy to understand that in such a place knowledge and wisdom, thought and understanding cannot be found but sentiments and emotions can be amply utilized. The Kufans therefore always remaine,d under the control of their emotions and whatever they did it was under the influence of their emotions. That was why whosoever wanted to incite them, succeeded, and whosoever wanted to entice them, did not fail. Whenever they were threatened, they were terrified; and whenever they were goaded to oppose anyone, they obliged.

Whenever they were made bold, they turned so and whenever they were made to betray, they did accordingly; and whenever they were reminded of their old loyalty, History of Islam they began to fulfill its conditions: Kufa had a plethora of emotions but lacked intelligence. It had emotions, not sense; it had a tumult of emotions but ran short of serenity of thought. Therefore, Kufa was expected to do that which happened. When a few generations passed and the events of the world endowed the heterogeneous elements by chemical arnalgaMotion with a particular shape to its temperament, making Kufa, the old mercurial nature gradually vanished. Abdul Malik bin Marwan Abdul Malik bin Marwan bin Hakam bin Abu! Aas bin Umayya bin Abd · Shams bin Abd Manaf bin Qussai bin Kilab was born in Ramadan 23 A.H.

His familiar name (Arabic: kunya) was Abu Waleed. He was also known as Abu! Mulook (father of kings) because several of his sons sat on the throne in succession. Yahya Ghassani says:" Abdul Malik was accustomed to sitting near Umm Darda (.'iii ,?J 4--,~). Once she asked, 'I have heard that you have taken to drinking after being a devotee.' He replied, 'I have turned into a blood-sucker too.' Nafi' says: "No youth in Madinah was as active, wise, conversant with the Qur' an and Hadith, religious and ascetic as Abdul Malik." Abu Zanad says: "Sayeed bin Al-Musayyib, Abdul Malik bin Marwan, 'Urwah bin Zubair and Qabisah bin Zuwaib are the scholars of Islamic jurisprudence of Madinah." Ubada bin Muthanna asked, lbn Umar (-= .'iii Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) Dhhbi says, "Abdul Malik heard' Ahadith' (traditions of the Prophet ~) from Uthman (= .11 ._,..;,J), Abu Hurairah (= .11 ..,;,J), Abu Sayeed (..,;,J .__... .11), Umm Salamah (lp .11 ._,..;,J), Barirah (= .11 ..,;,j) Ibn 'Umar (.11 ._,..;,J ~) and Muawiya ('"" .11 ._,..;,) while Urwa; Khalid bin Sa' dan, Raja bin Haiwa, Zuhri, Yunus bin Maisara. Rabia bin Yazid, .Ismail bin Obaidullah, Jarir bin Uthman heard traditions from Abdul Malik.

Yahya Ghassani says: "When Muslim bin Oqaba arrived in Madinah, I went to Masjid Nabawi and sat beside Abdul Malik. He asked me whether I was also in his army. I replied in the affirMotive. He said: "You have raised your arm against the person who was the first born of all the emigrants of Islam. He is the erophet' s Companion and a descendent of Datun-Nitaqain and for whom the Prophet (~) did 'Tahneek' (This is the process of chewing dates for a new born infant. In this section Abdul Malik bin Marwan is referring to Abdullah bin Zubair = .iii ._,..;,J)-And the greatest thing I observed about him was that whenever I met him in the day, I found him observing fast and whenever I met him at night, I always found him standing in 'salah' (prayer).

Remember! Who ever fights against him, will be thrown upside down into Hell by Allah." However, when Abdul Malik sat on the throne, he sent Hajjaj to fight against•Abdullah bin Zubair (.11 ._,..;,J =) and Hajjaj killed him. Juraij says that following Abdullah bin Zubair's martyrdom, Abdul Malik delivered the following sermon he said: "l am neither a weak caliph like Uthman (= 11 ..,;,j) nor a lazy caliph like Muawiya (~ 11 ._,..;,j) nor a caliph with weak opinions like Yazid. All the caliphs before me had been eating from treasure (under their possession) I will remedy it with my sword onJy. You should raise your spears in my support. You hold me responsible to act as the 'Muhajirun' acted yet you yourselves do not act as they did.

Remember, I shall torture you to death and the sword will be the judge between you and me. Keep watching what my sword makes of you. I shall tolerate all that you say but I cannot stand your opposition to the ruler. I shall tie their acts around their necks without hearing those who threaten with Allah's fear." It was Abdul Malik who first covered the Ka'bah with a silk curtain. Somebody said to him, "Amir al-Muminin! You have aged fast." He History of Islam said, "Why not?

I spend my best wisdom on the people every Friday." When another person asked him, "Who is the best among men?" He replied, "He who though enjoying high status, shows his humility, prefers renunciation of the world though powerful, and does justice though in authority." When a man who did not know him visited him, he used to tell him, "Keep in mind four things: first, don't tell a lie for l hate it very much; second, answer what I ask; third, don't praise me for I know what I am; and fourth, don't incite me jn respect to my subjects for they need my kindness." Madaini says, "When Abdul Malik was sure of his death, he said, "I have been longing to be a ascetic since my birth." Then he called his son Waleed and exhorted him to fear Allah and avoid internal dissensions and said: "Be active in war, be an example in good deeds, for war does not call death before its time. Good deeds ensure a good reward and Allah helps in distress. Be soft in hard situations and shun inviting resentment for a single arrow can easily be broken by anyone but none can break arrows when they are tied together. 0 Waleed! I make you caliph and in this matter, you must have fear of Allah. Take care of Hajjaj who ha& delivered you the caliphate consider him to be your right hand and sword, he will safeguard you against your foes: don't listen to anyone's complaint against him; and remember! you need Hajjaj more than he needs you and when I die, take 'bay'at' from all and cut off the head of he who refuses." When he was in the agonies of death, Waleed came to him and began to weep. Abdul Malik said, "What is the use of weeping like a girl?

Get ready after my death and put your sword on your shoulder with courage and chop off the head of the man who raises his head even a little, and spare him who keeps silent for he would die of his own disease." Abdul Malik died in S)lawwal 86 A.H. at the age of 63. lhalbi says that Abdul Malik used to say, "I was born in Ramadan; I was weaned in Ramadan; it was in Ramadan that I finished the Qu' ran; in Ramadan I attained the age of discretion; in Ramadan I was made the heir apparent; in Ramadan I was made caliph and I am afraid I shall die in Ramadan." But when the month of Ramadan passed he was relieved Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) but he died in Shawwal (the month following Ramadan). One day a woman came to Abdul Malik and said, "My brother has died leaving six hundred dinars. I am being given only one dinar in inheritance and was told that I deserve only this much." He immediately called Shabi and asked him about it. He said, "The distribution is quite right. The deceased has left two daughters. They get two-thirds, that is 400 dinars and the mother gets one-sixth, that is 100 dinars, the wife one-eighth, that is 75 dinars and 12 brothers will each be getting 24 dinars.

Therefore she will get only one dinar at this rate." Important Events of Abdul Malik's Caliphate Following Abdullah bin Zubair's martyrdom, Abdul Malik made Hajjaj bin Yusuf the Governor of the Hijaz. Hajjaj pulled down the Ka'bah and removed the part constructed during Abdullah bin Zubair' s regime, then he reconstructed it. Hajjaj perpetrated untold atrocities on the venerated Sahabah. Anas ~ and other distinguished Sahabah were tied and whipped. He had great hostility for the illustrious Sahabah like Abdullah bin Umar (= .'iii 1., Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) Abdullah bin Hazim's son Musa bin Abdullah along with his father's men fled and took shelter in the fort of Termiz (city in southern Uzbekistan) and succeeded in establishing _a separate autonomous state. Musa bin Abdullah fought and defeated the Turks and at the same time was at war with the governors of Abdul Malik.

Bukair bin Washah was the governor of Khorasan. Abdul Malik dismissed him and sent Umayya bin Abdullah bin Khalid in his place. Upon his arrival to Merv, one of the major cities of Khorasan, Bukair bin Washah who had been dismissed by Abdul Malik remained in Khorasan. Umayya bin Abdullah put him in charge of the city of Merv. Umayya then went to Balkh, another major city in Khorasan, and attacked Ratbeel and forced him into an agreement, that he would not invade the Muslims in future. After the agreement he left Balkh and whilehe was returning to Merv, he was attacked by Musa bin Abdullah bin Hazim, but he somehow managed to escape and arrived at Merv.

Musa bin Abdullah retreated. When he reached Merv, he saw that Bukair bin Washah had occupied it and was prepared for war. A skirmish took place between Bukair and Umayya then Bukair bin Washah settled down for a possible siege after fortifying the city. Finally, after a few days, they were reconciled. Umayya bin Abdullah, by promising him the governorship of apart of Khorasan, took Merv out of his clutches. At Dar Hurmuz, Muhallab and Ibn Makhnaf with the small armies that were left with them, after the desertion of the Kufans and Basraites upon the death of Bishr bin Marwan, were at war with the Khawarij and following the withdrawal of their troops were placed in a critical situation.

Under these circumstances, Abdul Malik thought it proper to shift Hajjaj bin Yusuf Thaqfi from the governorship of Hijaz and appointed him the governor of Iraq. Therefore, in 75 A.H. he endowed him with the authority to rule Basra and Kufa and sent him to Kufa. He entered Kufa in Ramadan in 75 A.H. sat on the 'mimbar' (usually some steps or other raised podium from where the leader of the prayer on Friday gives his sermon or "kutbah") of the Jama Masjid (Central Mosque) and ordered the people to assemble there. The Kufans were accustomed to be rude to their rulers. They used to humiliate their Amirs' and governors. They, therefore, came with History of Islam pebbles iri their hands with the intention of throwing them at the new Amir.

But when Hajjaj began his speech, they were terrified and the pebbles in their hands dropped to the floor. Hajjaj in his speech said, "A lot of turbans and beards are visible here but very soon they are going to be wet with blood. Many heads are present in this assembly, which will soon be chopped off. Amir al-Muminin Abdul Malik examined his quiver and selecting the hardest and the most deadly arrow, shot it at you, in other words, he imposed me on you as your ruler. I will remedy all your ills and lack of discipline and straighten you out completely. You have been the center of much trouble and disruption.

Now the time has come for you to be taught a lesson and your eyes to be opened. Amir al-Muminin has given instructions to disburse your salaries ;md send you to Muhallab to face the Khawarij. After the disbursement of the salaries, you are given three days time. If even a single soul is visible on the fourth day in Kufa, his head will be severed. Remember this is not an empty threat. You will yourselves see with your own eyes.

I do what I say." Hajjaj stood up and went to Darul Emarah (the Amir's headquarter) and began to disburse their salaries. An old man who was shaking due to his old age came and said, "I am an old man. My son is younger than I. Please send him in my place." Hajjaj asked him "What is your name?" He said, "Umair bin Dabi Barjami." Hajjaj said," Are you the same Umair bin Dabi who had attacked Uthman bin Affan's house?" He said, "Yes." Hajjaj said, "What persuaded you to do such a thing?" He said, "Uthman (= .:., s?J) had imprisoned my father when he was very old." Hajjaj said, "I don't like for you to remain alive." He ordered that he should be killed and his house ransacked. On the third day it was announced: "Whosoever stays in his house tonight anq does not proceed to join Muhallab's army, he will be slain." Hearing that people began to set out and very soon, a strong army assembled to face the Khawarij under Muhallab's command. Hajjaj then appointed Hakam bin Ayyub Thaqfi the Amir of Basra and sent him there.

He deputed Sayeed bin Aslam bin Zur'a to go to the Sindh. Muawiya bin Harith Kala bi and his brother Mohammad were part of this army, they brought most of the cities of the area under Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) their control, and killed or imprisoned the enemy and after accomplishing this, Muawiya bin Harith and his brother Muhammad killed Sayeed. Hearing the news, Hajjaj sent Maja' a bin Sayeed bin Zur' a who captured the territory and after a year of his rule brought under his control most of the cities of Makran (coastal area that is part of modem Iran and Pakistan) and Darabeel which are adjacent to the Sindh. Hajjaj made arrangements for Kufa and deputed Urwa bin Mughira bin Sho'ba as his deputy there and he proceeded to Basra. At Basra, he delivered the same kind of lecture he had delivered in Kufa and threatened the deserters of Muhallab. Sharik bin 'Amr Yeshkuri came to Hajjaj and said, "I am suffering from the hernia.

Bishr bin Marwan accepted this excuse. Will you please accept it also and exempt me from going to Muhallab's army." Hajjaj instantly ordered his execution. Seeing that all the Basraites were afraid and began to get ready to join Muhallab. After expelling the people from Basra and Kufa, Hajjaj also moved towards Muhallab's army. When Muhallab's cantonment was at a distance of 18 miles, he encamped and said, "O Kufans and Basraites! You will stay here unless the Khawarij are totally exterminated." The next order Hajjaj issued created trouble for himself.

The salaries of the army during Mus'ab bin Zubair's regime had been enhanced at the rate of 100 dirhams per head and that increment was still in force and no one had a thought of curtailing it. Hajjaj ordered that all of them should be getting the same salaries they had been getting before Mus'ab bin Zubair's regime, in other words, 100 dirhams per head would be reduced. When Abdullah bin Jarood heard the order, he said, "Our salaries were allowed to continue by Abdul Malik and Bishr bin Marwan. Don't commit the mistake of reducing it." Hajjaj did not pay any heed to Jarood's advice. He again raised his voice against J:Iajjaj's order. Masqala bin Karb Abdi said to Abdullah bin Jarood, "It is our duty to comply with the amir's order.

It is unbecoming of us to oppose it." Abdullah bin Jarood left Hajjaj' s court abusing Masqala. He went to Hakeem bin Majashi and told him what History of Islam took place. He also supported Abdullah. Then most of the soldiers became Jarood's supporters and all of them took an oath at his hands for the purpose of having Hajjaj dismissed and expelled from Iraq. All those under Jarood' s command, surrounded Hajjaj' s tent. Hajjaj had only a few persons with him and he was about to be killed or captured but evening set in and they decided to postpone their action and they all returned to their camps.

They did not want to kill Hajjaj they only wanted to e:,xpel him from Iraq. At night Hajjaj's friends advised him to leave and go to Abdul Malik. He was in a quandary. Meanwhile there was dissension among his enemies and Abbad bin Haseen Habti became angry with lbn Jarood and went over to Hajjaj's side. Then Qutaiba bin Muslim Sabra bin Ali Kalabi, Sayeed bin Aslam Kalabi, Jafar bin Abdur Rahman bin Makhnaf Azdi followed suit. In short, six thousand people rallied round him by morning and at that time, there was a fierce battle between the two opposing sides.

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

F. After the killing of Ibn Jarood, Hajjaj gave a small army to his son Hafs to discipline them. He wrote to his deputy in Kufa to send an army to stamp out the new uprising. After several encounters, it was put down. The groups of Khawarij drawn from the cities of Iran, Khorasan and Iraq, had assembled at Dar Hurmuz to face Muhallab and were busy trying to fight and defeat him and then to capture Basra. When the supporting armies from Basra and Kufa started arriving in quick succession, Muhallab and Abdur Rahman bin Makhnaf who Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) stood against the Khawarij, received a boost.

Prior to that, they were fighting defensively due to a shortage of soldiers and had stopped the Khawarij from advancing. However, after becoming stronger, they began to fight offensively and pushed the Khawarij back to Garzoon. The Khawarij entrenched and fortified themselves near Garzoon and began to figDt. Seeing this, Muhallab had a moat dug and made a defensive wall around his cantonment. Abdur Rahman kept his army aloof from Muhallab, from the beginning of the engagement. He had also established his own cantonment.

Muhallab sent word to Abdur Rahman that there was a danger of a night attack and so it was advised to dig a moat out around his cantonment. Abdur Rahman replied that he should rest assured; their swords would serve as a moat. He encamped on an open field. One night the Khawarij attacked !vfuhallab but because of the moat they could not advance against him. Having failed there, they moved towards Abdur Rahman. The way was open and clear.

They kept advancing and started killing. The sleeping soldiers could not withstand the attack and fled in all directions. Abdur Rahman along with only a few soldiers were able to fight and he was killed along with his soldiers at the hands of the Khawarij. Muhallab and Abdur Rahman were two commanders, Muhallab' s army consisted of the Basraites and Abdur Rahman' s army was made up of Kufans. The Kufan army suffered a great loss. The news reached Hajjaj and he deputed Attab bin Warqa in place of Abdur Rahman and clearly instructed him that he should remain under Muhallab' s command and obey him.

Attab resented this and it led to a rift between them. Attab wrote to Hajjaj to recall him. Hajjaj accepted his request. Then all the Kufans were placed directly under Muhallab' s command. Muhallab deputed his own son Habib bin Muhallab to take command of the Kufan army and they were stationed at Nishapur for a year, and continued fighting against the Khawarij. Later there erupted some discord among the Khawarij and they began to fight in two groups.

Muhallab did not attack them at that time but was patient. Then one faction fought and expelled the other towards Tabristan, Muhallab - History of Islam attacked the victorious group and killed them. So, in 77 A.H. he was finally able to get rid of the disruption of the Khawarij. The Khawarii were such valiant fighters that sometimes they defeated an army ten or twenty times their number. Once one thousand Khawarij made an army of fifty thousand retreat near Kufa. It was Muhallab alone, who was a hundred percent successful against the Khawarij.

When he returned to Hajjaj in Kufa after the victory, Hajjaj held a grand court and made the Muhallab sit by his side. Muhallab had seven sons and all of them had shown exemplary valor against the Khawarij. As a reward, they were given an increment of two thousand dirhams per year. Hajjaj sent an army after the run away Khawarij and defeated them near Tabristan. In 76 AH, another group of the Khawarij, under the leadership of Saleh bin Masrah, staged an uprising. Abdur Malik's brother Muhammad bin Marwan, the Amir of Mosil, deputed an army to deal with it.

After many encounters, Saleh was killed. His place was taken by Shabib who took his group to Madain. Hajjaj started sending other troops after them but he could not suppress them. Shabib had only one thousand men. Once he stayed in Kufa unchallenged along with his men and then left. Hajjaj sent fifty thousand men to face those one thousand men and the smaller force routed the larger one.

Finally, those one thousand men along with their chief Shabib were annihilated. Hajjaj and Muhallab Honored For Abdul Malik bin Marwan, the greatest danger next to Abdullah bin Zubair (~ .1, ~;) was the challenge of the Khawarij. Had he remained indifferent to Khawarij and had he not taken their threat seriously and had he not become busy planning their extermination, then the provinces of Khorasan, Iraq a_nd Persia would have gone out of his hands. No one was better suited for the governorship of Iraq to put down the rebellions than Hajjaj. He came to Iraq and fulfilled his obligations excellently. The selection of Muhallab for disciplining the Khawarij was also right.

Then after years of struggle and crowned with success he handed over to Hajjaj' s control Kufa and Basra, which Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) included Khorasan and Sajistan but excluding the rest of Iraq. He made Hajjaj the leader of all the Islamic countries of the east. Hajjaj then made Muhallab bin Abi Sofra and Obaidullah bjn Abu Bakra the Amirs of Khorasan and Sajistan respectively. Muhallab, up to this point a famous general, was honored by being made the Amir of Khorasan. Muhallab lived in Basra until 80 A.H. and sent his son Habib, as the Amir of Khorasan on his own behalf. He went to Khorasan and in accordance with his father's instructions did not disturb Umayya bin Abdullah and his staff nor did he reduce their honor.

Hajjaj married Muhallab's daughter Hind bint Muhallab and in this way, he came to be related to Hajjaj. In 80 A.H., Muhallab himself went to Khorasan and took over the reign of the country and taking five thousand men advanced towards Mawaraunnahr (between the Amu [Oxus] and Syr rivers in modern Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan) and surrounded Kush city. At that time, the relative of the king of Khu tan came to him and asked for help. Muhallab sent his son Yazid to accompany him. Yazid killed the king of Khutan and gave the territory to his relative and received a written agreement, in keeping with his father's instructions, he returned. It was during that same period Muhallab gave four thousand men to his son, Habib, to invade Bukhara.

The governor of Bukhara fought against these four thousand men, the result was a victory for Habib and defeat for the people of Bukhara. Habib returned to Muhallab with a large amount of spoils of war. The siege of Kush continued for_ two years. At last, the besieged decided it :-vas better to pay the 'jizya' (a tax on non Muslims under Islamic rule which exonerates them from military service) and Muhallab, following the reconciliation, returned from there. The Betrayal of the People of Kush city and Huraith bin Qatna When Muhallab came to Merv, the capital of Khorasan and then moved to the city of Kush, he left Mughira his son as Amir in his absence. While the siege of Kush was continuing, the news of Mughira's death reached Muhallab.

Muhallab deputed his son, Yazid as the Administrator of Merv and sent him there with thirty men. History of Islam When he reached a pass near Bast, he confronted a raiding party of five hundred Turks. The Turks demanded all their possessions. Yazid refused. At last, one of his associates made them agree to take a little money. They took it and went away but immediately returned and told Yazid and his troops that they would not be spared without surrendering all their belongings.

Yazid with his thirty men fought with them and killed their leader and forced them to run away. Upon his arrival in Merv, he began to rule in place of his brother. A short time after that incident, Muhallab made peace with the people of Kush and returned. It was agreed that the inhabitants of Kush would hand over their king's sons to the Muslims and they would remain in their custody urfiil the inhabitants of Kush paid the agreed amount to the Muslims. Muhallab had left · Huraith bin Qatna there to collect the amount and return the boys. When Muhallab left Kush and arrived at Balkh, he sent word to Yazid and Huraith bin Qatna: "Don't return the boys after collecting the payment until you enter Balkh." Muhallab's intention was to warn of the danger, which Huraith had to face.

Huraith at once showed the letter to the people of Kush and said to them, "If you pay me the amount of 'jizya' at once, I shall hand over your boys to you now and tell Amir Muhallab that I had giyen back the boys to the people of Kush after collecting the amount, before this letter reached me." The people of Kush paid the money and took back the boys. Upon his return from Kush, the marauding Turks treated Huraith in the same way they had treated Yazid. There was a fight and many of Huraith's men were killed and many were captured and they were released,.,only after paying a ransom. When Harith reached Muhallab, the latter had him lashed twenty times for violating his orders. After the punishment, he swore that he would kill Muhallab. When Muhallab came to know of it, he sent for Huraith's brother Thabit bin Qatna and made him understand the situation in a calm way.

He called .Harith to him and Huraith repeated his impertinent oath. Muhallab ignored it and dismissed him. Huraith and Thabit feared for their positions and taking their three hundred men with them, fled Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) from him and went to Musa bin Abdullah bin Hazim at Termiz. Musa bin Abdullah, as mentioned earlier had founded an independent state and was at war with the governor of Khorasan. This took place in82 A.H. Muhallab's Death and His Will Muhallab was shocked at his son Mughira's death.

He did not live long after he arrived back in Merv. In the later months of 82 A.H., he died of a disease in Merv. His valor, good nature and loyalty were well known. His character was never involved in a breach of trust, disloyalty or rebellion. He thought it essential to obey and comply with the orders of the Amir of the time. At the time of his death he made his son Yazid the Governor of Khorasan and the other son the Imam (leader) of the salah (prayer).

He called all his sons to him and exhorted them saying: "I want you to fear Allah and treat your relatives kindly, for these acts prolong life, increase wealth and offspring. I warn you against giving up the fear of Allah and kind treatment for their renunciation leads to Hell, causes disgrace and decreases offspring. It is compulsory for you to obey the Amir and agree with the Muslims. It is fitting that your: actions be better than your words. A void answering impulsively and safeguard your tongue from a slip, for a man can controls the slip of the feet but the slip of the tongue ruins him. Give the people their dues because this just and equitable action is better than sitting and gossiping in the morning and in the evening and talking uselessly: Don't be deceived by flatterers, prefer generosity to miserliness, revive goodness and try to do good, be active and alert in war and for this valor is necessary.

When there is a confrontation, destiny or death falls from heaven. If the.man is prepared to act and acts cleverly, he achieves success. If he gets nervous, he fails but Allah's Order dominates all. Make the recitation and learning of the Qur' an, the application of the 'Sunnah', and respect for the pious compulsory for yourself. Avoid talking unnecessarily at meetings." History of Islam Hajjaj bin Yusuf and Abdur Rahman bin Mohammad It has been mentioned above that in 78 A.H., Hajjaj had deputed Muhallab and Obaidullah bin Abi Bakra as governors of Khorasan, and Sajistan and Sindh respectively. Sindh and Sajistan had continuously been under attack by the Hindus from the east and by the Turks and the Mongols from the north.

Hence, Hajjaj gave Hamyan bin Adi an active, agile and well-armed division of an army and stationed them at Kerman (city, provincial capital, and province in southeastern Iran) with the instructions to help the Governors of Sajistan and Sindh when needed. Obaidullah bin Abi Bakra arrived in his province and became busy with its affairs. Hamyan bin Adi, seeing a big army under his command at Kerman, rebelled and instead of helping Obaidullah, started attacking his province. When informed, Hajjaj sent Abdur Rahman bin Mohammad bin Ash'ath to discipline Hamyan bin Adi. Abdur Rahman defeated and drove him away and after staying for a few days at Kerman returned. It has been mentioned above that the king of Turkistan named Ratbeel had made peace with the Muslims by promising them to pay taxes.

When Obaidullah came, he continued to pay him the taxes but then prepared to rebel against him. Ratbeel controlled Badakhshan, Kafiristan and Afghanistan up to Tibet. Obaidullah invaded his territory. He fled and lured Obaidullah into following him and took him to a place where the journey was very arduous. Finally, the Muslims were surrounded inside the passes of a very mountainous area. Many were killed.

Shuraih bin Hani was also killed there. Those who returned, were in a very miserable condition. When Hajjaj was informed of the destruction of the army, he reported to Abdul Malik and sought his permission to invade Ratbeel's territory. Abdul Malik granted the permission and Hajjaj took twenty thousand men from Kufa and twenty thousand infantry from Basra and made Abdur Rahman. bin Mohammad bin Ash' ath the commander of these veteran armies. Meanwhile news arrived of the death of Obaidullah bin Abi Bakra in Sajistan. Hajjaj granted Abdur Rahman credentials and a certificate of Governorship of Sajistan and sent him to invade Ratbeel's territory.

Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) When Abdur Rahman arrived there with the Islamic forces and Ratbeel was informed of it, Ratbeel was extremely nervous but could do nothing about it. Abdur Rahman began to conquer his country and took care to depute guards near passes and valleys as he moved forward. In short, he conquered half of his country and postponed a further advance until the following year. He informed Hajjaj of the victory by letter and also told him that the rest of the country remained to be conquered which would be done the following year so that he could consolidate his position and manage the affairs of the conquered territory efficiently and the army could also be refreshed. Hajjaj was very angry when he read the letter. He at once ordered him to continue his advance, slay Ratbeel's soldiers in captivity and pull down their forts.

He had written a second and third letter of the same content before the-first one reached him. In the third letter he said: "If you obey my order, good; if you disobey, deem yourself dismissed and your brother Ishaq bin Mohammad bin Ash' ath will be the commander of the army." Those three orders reached Abdur Rahman one after another. Abdur Rahman read them and called the army together and made the following speech: "I had decided our present strategy after consulting you that we would manage the conquered territories of the Turks and after fortifying ourselves and completing the required preparations, we would conquer the rest of the territory the following year. However, Hajjaj writes to us to fight with them without making any further delay. He does not care for your fatigue and the necessity of your recuperation. This is the same country where o_µr brothers were destroyed.

I am also your brother and a man like you. If you are ready, fight and move forward. I am also with you. Hearing the speech, all the Kufans and Basraites flew into a rage and said in one voice, "We won't obey Hajjaj." Ail bin WaS'ia said, "Hajjaj is Allah's enemy. Dismiss him and take the oath with Abdur Rahman bin Ash'ath bin Rabia." All unanimously cried out, "Yes, yes. We all agree to it." A_bdur Rahman stood up and asked them, "Let us go and turn Allah's enemy Hajjaj out of our city." Hearing it, all rushed to take the oath at his hands and all took a pledge that they would not rest until Hajjaj was expelled from Iraq.

At that same time, Abdur History of Islam Rahman sent word to Ratbeel and an agreement for peace was at once signed on the condition that if they succeeded in the expulsion of Hajjaj, all taxes on Ratbeel's territory would be excused. If Hajjaj won, Ratbeel would prevent Hajjaj's soldiers from entering his country and fight against him. The army therefore left the conquered territory and returned to Iraq. When Hajjaj was informed about it, he wrote to Abdul Malik about the gravity of the situation and requested him to send an army to help him. Abdul Malik did accordingly. When Muhallab came to know the details, he wrote to Hajjaj in support: "Let the Iraqis return home but for the time don't do anything with them in the least." Hajjaj did not appreciate his advice he actually came to harbor an ill feeling against the Iraqis in his heart.

He misunderstood Muhallab and Hajjaj felt that Muhallab being the governor of Khorasan, might al~o have been• their adviser and was sympathetic to them. When f,.bdul Malik's army arrived, Hajjaj took it and moved beyond Basra, and arrived at Tustar (in Khuzestan, an Iranian province at the top of the Arabian Gulf) and sent ahead a division. Abdur Rahman had also come nearer. His soldiers defeated and routed Hajjaj's soldiers and put a good number of them to death. Thus compelled Hajjaj returned to Basra and turned to a place named Zawia. Abdur Rahman entered Basra directly.

The Basraites took the oath at his hands. Hajjaj recalled Muhallab's advice and then realized that what he had written was quite right. The Basraites were sick of Hajjaj' s strictness and all were bent on annulling Abdul Malik' s caliphate and fighting with Hajjaj. This occurred at the end of Dhul Hijja 81 A.H. Then a series of battles between Hajjaj and Abdur Rahman started in the beginning of Ramadan 82 A.H. First Hajjaj won, then Abdur Rahman won.

However, a battle that took place on 29 Muharram 82 A.H. saw Abdur Rahman badly defeated. He took his defeated men and went to Kufa and occupied Kufa's Darul Emarah (the Amir's headquarter). following Abdur Rahman bin Mohammad's defeat, the Basraites took the oath at the hands of Abdur Rahman bin Abbas bin Rabia bin Harith bin Abdul Mutallib and continued the chain of battles and Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) confrontations with Hajjaj. Abdur Rahman bin Abbas faced Hajjaj ferociously. His preoccupation with these battles and confrontations gave a respite to Abdur Rahman bin Mohammad and enabled him to occupy Kufa. At last, Abdur Rahman bin Abbas, along with a good number of the Basraites, advanced towards Kufa and joined Abdur Rahman bin Mohammad. Hajjaj entered Basra and appoint~d Hakeem bin Ayyub Thaqfi to the post of Governor of Basra, and proceeded towards Kufa and encamped at Dairqarah.

From the other side Abdur Rahman bin Mohammad came out and made fortifications at Dairjam. Moats, fortifications and walls were made by both sides and the battle began. It continued for a long time. Everyday men from both sides came onto the battlefield and pushed back the other side but they did not wage a decisive battle. At last, Abdul Malik sent his son Abdullah and his brother, Muhammad bin Marwan along with a large army to Kufa and conveyed through them a message to the Iraqis: "We dismiss Hajjaj. We will fix the salaries of the Iraqis at par with those of the Syrians and Abdur Rahman bin Mohammad will be given the Governorship of the province he likes." The message hurt Hajjaj very much.

He stopped Abdullah and Mohammad from conveying the message and wrote a letter to Abdul Malik saying, "Your policy will never make the Iraqis your subjects and they will grow more headstrong." But Abdul Malik disapproved of Hajjaj' s views and Abdullah and Mohammad communicated his message to the Iraqis. To the Iraqis it spelt a great victory and Abdur Rahman bin Mohammad was ready to recognize it. But the army did not agree to it and raised its voice against it and renewed its oath for annulling Abdul M.1lik' s oath. Grasping the situation, both Abdullah and Mohammad left the army with Hajjaj and returned to Abdul Malik. Again, the battlr between the parties raged with renewed vigor, fresh preparations and strategies it continued in this manner for a year. Daily they came out fought and returned to their bases in the evening.

In those battles, Abdur Rahman had-an edge over his rival Hajjaj who suffered heavy losses. But Hajjaj continued to receive regular reinforcements from Syria. At last, onJumad al-Thani 83 A.H. there was a decisive battle. It went in favor of Hajjaj due to a certain set of History of Islam accidental occurrences and he at once entered Kufa and occupied it. Abdur Rahman bin Mohammad returned to Basra and expelled Hajjaj's governor from there, and captured Basra. Hajjaj started taking the oath from the Kufans and who ever hesitated, was instantly killed.

Abdur Rahman bin Mohammad collected a large army at Basra and intended to attack Hajjaj. Hearing this news, Hajjaj took a large Syrian army and moved towards Basra. The battle began on 1, Shaban 83 A.H. It continued fiercely until 15 Shaban. Hajjaj suffered defeat several times but he remained steady. Abdul Malik bin Muhallab was also present in his army.

When Abdul Malik bin Muhallab attacked Abdur Rahman with his men, Abdur Rahman and his men reversed their position and ransacked Hajjaj' s camp and forced him to runaway from the battlefield and they returned victorious to their base however they were stunned and terrified by a sudden attack by Abdul Malik bin Muhallab. They had to retreat. Many of them died, falling into the moat and many were killed and many escaped. Hajjaj who had suffered a defeat returned and occupied Abdur Rahman bin Mohammad's camp. After being defeated, Abdur Rahman went to Ratbeel the king of Turkistan, by passing through Sos, Sabur, Kerman, Ziranj and Bist. Abdur Rahman bin Mohammad's men assembled at Sajistan and made Abdur Rahman bin Abbas bin Rabia bin Abdul Mutallib the Imam of their Salats.

They called all their colleagues from all directions and sent word to Abdur Rahman bin Mohammad to return and occupy Khorasan. He replied that Khorasan was ruled over by Yazid bin Muhallab and it would not be easy to snatch it from him. But they insisted and Abdur Rahman yielded to their pressure and he returned from Ratbeel. They numbered twenty thousand. He took them to Herat and captured it. Yazid bin Muhallab came with his army.

When they came to face each other, Abdur Rahman bin Mohammad's men began leaving before the beginning of the battle. Under compulsion, he fought supported by only a few men. Many were killed and captured. Abdur Rahman fled to the Sindh. Yazid stopped his army from pursuing him and Abdur Rahman arrived in Sindh. Yazid took the captives of Herat to Merv and from there, he sent them to Hajjaj.

Muhammad bin Sad bin Abi Waqaas was also among them and he was executed by the order of Hajjaj. Abdur Rahman bin Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) Ash'ath left Sindh and went to Ratbeel. There he contracted tuberculosis. Hajjaj wrote to Ratbeel to cut off his head and send it to him assuring him that he would exempt him from paying taxes for ten years in lieu thereof. Ratbeel complied, killed Abdur Rahman bin Muhammad and sent his head to Hajjaj. This took place in 84 A.H.

The Population of the City of Wasit You have read above that Hajjaj had to ask for help from Abdul Malik repeatedly in order to face Abdur Rahman bin Muhammad. When Abdur Rahman came to Sajistan dethroned, Hajjaj had a big Syrian army under his command. He had no respite from the Kufans and Basraites because they had fought against him along with Abdur Rahman bin Mohammad. Therefore keeping the Syrian army with him for an extended period was very essential. First, Hajjaj issued instructions to the Kufans to keep the Syrians with them in their homes. But after a few days, the Syrians started misbehaving with the Kufan' s women folk.

When Hajjaj was informed of it, he thought it proper to establish a separate military headquarters for the Syrian army. He therefore constituted a body of veteran soldiers to select a suitable site for it. They saw an ascetic who was purifying a place. When he was asked to explain the reason, he replied that they had read in their scripture that they would build a house of Allah on that site. They came back to Hajjaj and narrated the incident. Hajjaj built a mosque there and established a military headquarter around it.

That was the beginning of the city of Wasit. It occurred in 83 A.H. Yazid bin Muhallab Dismissed After freeing himself from the problems of Abdur Rahman bin Mohammad, Hajjaj continued to deal harshly with the Iraqis. He began to pick out their leaders and murder them. No household of any significance in Iraq, Kufa and Basra was left where a member was not killed by Hajjaj's order and they had to suffer humiliation from him. Only Muhallab's household was spared due to its loyalty to Hajjaj.

Yazid bin Muhallab was the Governor of Khorasan and obedient to Abdul Malik and Hajjaj. Hajjaj called Yazid to Kufa several times btit every time he was in the midst of some engagement in Khorasan and made some excuse and failed to visit Kufa. Hajjaj, who was suspicious History of Islam by nature misunderstood Yazid and made up his mind to take away from him of the Governorship of Khorasan. He began to write letters to Abdul Malik containing complaints against Yazid. Each time Abdul Malik rwrote back to Hajjaj that Muhallab and his sons were loyal supporters and they deserved all possible concessions. However, Hajjaj continued his moves against them.

At last getting sick of constant complaints, Abdul Malik wrote to him, "Since you insist on your proposal, I permit you to choose anyone you like for the Governorship of Khorasan. In order to prevent the problem of Khorasan getting complicated and saving Khorasan from being captured by another Governor, Hajjaj first of all sent word to Yazid that after handing over Khorasan to his brother Mofaddal bin Muhallab he should come to him. Yazid was packing for the journey when he received Hajjaj's order as well as t.he letter of Governorship in the name of Mofaddal. Yazid said to his brother "Don't be deceived by this letter of Governorship of Khorasan although he has appointed you to this post after a short time he will dismiss you too." Saying this, he left for Merv in Rabia al-Thani 85 A.H. Yazid proved right. Hajjaj dismissed Mofaddal bin Muhallab after nine months and deputed Qutaiba bin Muslim instead.

Musa,bin Hazim It has already been mentioned that Musa bin Abdullah bin Hazim had founded an independent state at Termiz and that Huraith and Thabit, Qatna Khazai's sons, fled from Muhallab and went to Musa bin Abdullah at Termiz. When Muhallab became the Governor of Khorasan, he did not disturb Musa and exhorted his sons," Always leave Musa alone and forgive him for if there is no Musa, somebody else from among Banu Qais will be the Governor of Khorasan" When Abdur Rahman bin Mohammad was defeated by Yazid bin Muhallab at Herat, Abdur Rahman bin Mohammad and Abdur Rahman bin Abbas' men who fled from the conflict with Yazid, went directly to Musa bin Abdullah at Termiz. When Ratbeel chopped off Abdur Rahman bin Mohammad's head and sent it to Hajjaj, Abdur Rahman's men fled from Ratbeel and went to Musa bin Abdullah and took refuge at Termiz. In this way, Musa bin Abdullah,came to have eight thousand Arabs under his command. Both brothers, Huraith and Thabit, served as commanders and Musa bin Abdullah was an independent king. Huraith Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) and Thabit said to Musa, "The people of Bukhara and all the Turkish chiefs are displeased with Yazid bin Muhallab.

If we let them be with us, we can expel Yazid bin Muhallab and occupy Khorasan ourselves. Musa said, "lf we expel Yazid from Khorasan, some other governor of Abdul Malik' will occupy it and we will not be able to save Khorasan. lt is better to expel Abdul Malik's governors from Turkistan. We then would be able to maintain our hold on that territory because Abdul Malik's troops will not have an approach, and the Turks and the Mongols who are present near the borders will help us." Following this decision, all the Governors of Abdul Malik were expelled from the area and Musa bin Abdullah's government became strong and stable. After a short time the Turks, the Mongols and the Tibetans invaded Musa's country jointly. The leader of the Turks along with ten thousand soldiers were stationed on a mound, Huraith bin Qatna attacked them. The attack was so fierce that the Turks had to take shelter behind the mound.

It was during that confusion and uproar that an arrow hit Huraith on the forehead. The wound proved fatal and he died after two days. Because evening had set in, the fight was postponed. The next day Musa attacked and vanquished the Turks and returned with a good deal of spoils of war to their fort at Termiz. After the death of Huraith, his brother Thabit bin Qatna, taking a wrong idea about Musa's intentions parted with him. He left Termiz and halted at Hoshra and began to rally the Arabs and non-Arabs round him.

When Musa left with an army to fight with him, the people of Bukhara, Kush and Nasf stood up in support of Thabit. Musa had to return to Termiz helpless. After a few days, all the Turks assembled and taking Thabit bin Qatna with them laid siege to Termiz with a staggering eight thousand soldiers. Musa defended with great courage. Thabit was killed and the Turks became disorganized and left raising the siege,. Only a short time had passed following this confusion when Yazid bin Muhallab after having been dismissed from the governorship of Khorasan, left for Kufa and in his place his brother Mofaddal bin Muhallab was chosen as the governor of Khorasan.

Immediately after taking control he gave an army to Uthman bin Masood and sent him from Merv to invade Musa bin Abdullah bin Hazim and wrote to his own brother Mud'rik bin Muhallab who lived in Balkh to set out with his army to launch an attack on Termiz. Moreover, he History of Islam wrote to Ratbeel and Tarkhoon, the Turkish kings, to arrive there with their troops to help Uthman bin Masood. Those Turkish chiefs who had already grown jealous of Musa and had suffered defeat at his hands repeatedly, immediately left with their armies for Termiz. His enemies converged on his territory from four different directions compelling him to remain besieged in the fort. The siege laid by those massive armies continued for two months and there was no end in sight. At last, Musa bin Abdullah said to his men, "We can not exercise self restraint any more.

It is more fitting that we attack the enemies all of a sudden." All agreed to the proposal. Musa deputed his nephew Nadar bin Sulaiman in the city and the fort and exhorted him, "If I am killed, don't surrender the city and the fort to Uthrnan bin Masood rather surrender them to Mudrik bin Muhallab." Musa deputed one-third of his men to face Uthrnan with the instructions not to begin the attack first and taking two-thirds of the men attacked the flank led by Tarkhoon and Ratbeel. Unable to face Musa they retreated. Musa chased them for a great distance. When he returned, the people of Saghad and other Turks blocked his way to the fort. Renewed fighting began.

He was surrounded on all sides. Uthman bin Masood also turned his attention to him. First Musa's horse was killed and then he also followed it fighting bravely. After having ruled over Termiz independently for fifteen years, Musa who came from the tribe of Qais left this world. Mofaddal wrote the letter of the good tidings to Hajjaj, but the latter was not happy. Nadar bin Sulaiman surrendered Termiz to Mudrik and Mudrik gave it to Uthman.

The Beginning of the Islamic Coins Among the many firsts attributed to Abdul Malik bin Marwan, it was during his regime that the Muslims for the first time cast and introduced their own coins. Until then, Roman coins were in currency in Syria, Arabia and Egypt. In Iraq, the Iranian coins were in use. In Arabia, there was neither a strong government nor were there Arabic coins. Roman coins had been in circulation in all those countries since ancient times. When the Islamic Sultanate was established and it extended from Balkh and Jaihoon to the Atlantic Ocean, still no one thought of introducing Islamic coins.

Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) By chance Abdul Malik bin Marwan happened to write a few letters to the Emperor of Rome. In accordance with the Islamic way, he wrote "There is no true god but Allah and Muhammad is his Messenger" and prayers for the Prophet (~ ) on the top of these letters. The Emperor wrote back to him saying, "Don't mention your Allah and the Prophet(~) on the top of your letters. We don't like it. If you don't give it up, we will cast in our mint coins, which will be bearing your Prophet's name in an insulting manner and then send them into circulation and that will hurt you more." Abdul Malik was very concerned and disconcerted while going through that letter. He sought counsel from Khalid bin Yazid bin Muawiya.

He said to him, "Stop the circulation of the Roman coins in your country, mint your own coins and put them into circulation." Abdul Malik liked the idea. He set up a mint and had 14-carat dirhams minted which weighed 5 'mashas' - each. Then Hajjaj had ...1.;>-i 11 r J (Say He is Allah, One) minted on one side of the dirham and dinar. Abdul Malik proclaimed that from that time forth only Arabic coins would be accepted in payment of taxes. By this method, the Arabic dinar and dirham became circulated in all the countries. Some points regarding important events remain to be mentioned.

For example, Abdul Malik bin Marwan went on the Hajj pilgrimage for the first time in 75 A.H. after becoming caliph. In 77 A.H., the fort of Harqla was conqured. That same year Abdul Malik's brother Abdul Aziz bin Marwan the Governor of Egypt, pulled down the Jama Masjid (the Grand or Main Mosque) and reconstructed it and expanded it from all sides. In 81 A.H., he won Qaliqala from the Romans. In 82 A.H., the Fort of Senan was brought under possession. Mofaddal bin Muhallab, the Governor of Khorasan, after becoming free from the trouble in Khorasan by killing of Musa bin Abdullah, occupied Badghais.

In 84 A.H. Abdullah bin Abdul Malik conqurred Masisa from the Romans. In 85 A.H. Abdul Aziz bin Abu Hatim bin Noman Bahli populated the city of Ardabil (town in northwestern Iran, 38 miles from the Caspian Sea). In Jamad al-Awwal 85 A.H., Abdul Malik's brother Abdul Aziz bin Marwan died in Egypt and Abdul Malik appointed his own son Abdullah, as the Governor of Egypt in his place. - History of Islam Succession of Waleed and Sulaiman Abdul Malik remained engrossed in the thought of how to dismiss his brother Abdul Aziz from being the heir apparent and install his own sons in his place. The task was not simple because there was always the risk of inviting opposition from the people at large.

When he received the news of Abdul Aziz's death, Abdul Malik found an easy opportunity to see his wish fulfilled. In Ramadan 86 A.H. therefore, he issued commands to all his Governors and Administrators of the Provinces to take the oath for; Waleed and Sulaiman on the night of Eid ul Fitr (the holiday following the fasting of Ramadan), that being the first day of Shawwal. The oath was taken on the fixed day in all the territories for the succession of both Waleed and Sulaiman. The administrator of Madinah was Hisham bin Ismail Makhzumi. When he asked the inhabitants of Madinah to take the oath, all obeyed but Sayeed bin Musayyib refused. Hisham had him caught and lashed, and after he took him in publicity, threw him into prison.

When Abdul Malik found out about it, he wrote Hisham a letter saying: "You have committed a mistake in dealing harshly with Sayeed bin Musayyib, because the latter harbors neither animosity nor opposition nor hypocrisy. Such a person should not have been hurt." The Death of Abdul Malik bin Marwan After taking the oath for Waleed and Sulaiman, Abdul Malik did not live more ,than a month. He died of a disease on Thursday the 15th of Shawwal 85 A.H. corresponding to 19 October 705 A.C. Abdul Malik lived for 13 years 3 months and 23 days following Abdullah bin Zubair's martyrdom and that was the period of his caliphate. At the time of his death, he called his sons and exhorted them saying: "I want you to keep fearing Allah for it is the fear of Allah that is the best adornment and the best refuge. Your elders ought to have affection for the youth and the youth should respect the elders.

Always honor the opinion and counsel of the Muslims and avoid opposition because these are the jaws with which you chew and these are the teeth with which you bite. Accommodate the wise for they deserve it." Caliphate of Banu Umayyah (First Phase) Then he mentioned things, which have been recorded before in the introductory chapter on Abdul Malik. After that, he breathed his last. Then the people took the oath at Waleed bin Abdul Malik's hands. Abdul Malik had 15 or 16 sons and several daughters. Among his wives were the daughters of Yazid bin Muawiya, the daughter of Ali ('---"' .iii ..,-----;,J) and the daughter of Abdullah bin Jafar (= .iii ...,.;,J)- Waleed and Sulaiman were born of Walada bint Abbas.

Summary Abdul Malik bin Marwan was one of the most famous and fortunate caliphs of the Banu Umayyah. He succeeded in the amalgaMotion of the entire Islamic world with a strong center. He removed the dissention that was created following Uthman's martyrdom and reestablished the Islamic government. He adopted stern and violent measures to do this work and in the way of an excuse, he used to say: "If Abu Bakr Siddiq(-= .iii ...,.;,J) and Umar bin Khatab (-= 11 ...,.;,J) had to face such ignorant and headstrong people, they would have done what I have done." Abdu,\ Malik made the government of Banu Umayyah firmly rooted, which had become quite uncertain and weak. Abdul Malik combined in his nature strictness, wisdom and truthfulness. We have to appreciate his courage and determination.

The major blunder he committed was that he gave Hajjaj more power and authority than he deserved and Hajjaj employed his tyrannical measures to the full. But such an error is possible to be committed by a ruler who wants his government to be firmly established and stabilized. It was Obaidullah bin Zeyad, Hajjaj bin Yusuf Thaqfi and Muhallab bin Abi Sofra who were responsible for the series of successes of Abdul Malik. During his regime, the Muslims conquered many countries and their bickering and internal conflicts vanished one by one. On the basis of his achievements during his 13 year long caliphate, he is regarded as one of the most popular and successful caliphs. He was also a grand and powerful caliph.

He ranks high in respect of knowledge and virtue. From the viewpoint of valor and military skill, he is counted as one of the brave and well-known generals. At the juncture of his death, we have come out of a tempestuous age and entered one that may be characterized as peaceful and serene.