Ameer Hamzah :
On October 10 in 680 AD, history witnessed the world’s one of the greatest tragedies at Karbala in Iraq where the troops loyal to Umayyad ruler Yazid, killed Imam Hussain (RA) and his unarmed 58 companions of his convoy, mostly members of the House of the Prophet (sm). The tragedy has a long political and economic background.
Imam Hussain was the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (SM) and son of Hazrat Fatima (AS) and Hazrat Ali (RA). He was not a member of any of the four Caliphates but politically conscious enough to take right decision.
The whole of Arabian Peninsula and the rest of the world were going through ignorance for centuries before the advent of Islam. ‘Might is right’ was the law, and there were no rooms for justice and social values in the society. Historians called the period from 510 AD to 610 AD ‘The Dark Age’. Historian Gibbon said, ‘There occurred 1,600 battles among the tribes during the time of ignorance i.e. between 510 AD and 610 AD”
Banu Hashim and Banu Umayyad were the most influential tribes during the late sixth and the early seventh centuries. The others were Banu Bakr, Banu Tamim, Banu Yarba, Banu Taglib, Banu Mura, Banu Abs and Banu Zubaiyan. The tribe leaders were war mongers. For example, Banu Bakr and Banu Taghlib fought against each other for 40 years over death of a camel, while Banu Abs and Banu Zubaiyan shed blood for centuries over a horse race.
The people of Arabia divided into clans and tribes often fought for superiority of blood and race, even for trifling matter. If a member of a tribe was assaulted or killed, the music of battle began to drum in every house.
Possession of the keys of the Kaaba was a matter of pride and glory. The possessor enjoyed social, political and economic privileges and that is why every tribe and clan hankered after the keys.
After the death of Prophet Muhammad (SM), the members of Banu Hashim wanted Hazrat Ali (RA) as Caliph of Islam. But Banu Umayyad opposed it. The enmity between these two tribes was century old. The supporters of Hazrat Ali quoted a Hadith in support narrated by Saad-bin-Abi Wakkas, a trusted lieutenant of the Prophet MulIammad (SM).
One day the Prophet said to Hazrat Ali (sm). “You are in such a position with me as was Haroun with Moses. But after me there shall come no prophet.” Yet, the Banu Umayyad opposed the proposal. The situation became complicated. Fearing disunity and indiscipline, Hazrat Omar (RA) proposed the name of Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA), Prophet’s all time friend, as Caliph. Thus, an early disunity could be avoided.
In the early days of Islam, three systems were followed in selecting caliph.
The Prophet left it with the far sightedness, wisdom and intelligence of his companions.
On the other hand, Hazrat Abu Bakr after consulting with Hazrat Abdur Rahman-bin-Auf (RA), Hazrat Uthman (RA), Hazrat Ali (RA) and others nominated Hazrat Omar (RA) his successor. In contrast, Hazrat Omar formed a selection-panel consisting of six members. They were Abdur Rahman-bin-Auf, Hazrat Ali, Hazrat Uthman, Saad-bin-Abi Wakkas, Talha and Zubair. Hazrat Uthman (RA) became Caliph to the discontent of Banu Hashim. The panel by a majority vote picked up Hazrat Uthman.
During the time of Hazrat Abu Bakar and Hazrat Omar, the administration was fair. There were no allegations of corruption, nepotism and favouritism. Hazrat Omar reformed the economic sector. He prevented the rise of the economically privileged class. Hazrat Umar stressed on the need of the proper utilization of both movable and immovable wealth. Hazrat Ali advanced a step forward decreeing that land belongs to him who reclaims.
Hazrat Omar introduced the system of pension for the unemployed and the weak in understanding. Verse No..5 of Surah 4 of Al-Quran says, “Give not the properties, which Allah has given you as means of livelihood, to those who are weak in understanding but feed and clothe them and speak kind words to them.” Islam says, every man is entitled to food, clothing and shelter.
Hazrat Omar and Hazrat Ali believed in Arab Nationalism. They opposed purchase of land by the Arabs in the non-Arab regions. On the other hand, when Hazrat Uthman became Caliph, the racial dynasty surfaced and sowed the seeds of division among in the Muslim world. Muawiyah, the architect of the Umayyad Dynasty, sowed this division.
The 3rd Caliph of Islam retained Muawiyah as governor of Syria and blessed him with four more provinces namely Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon and Israel. Muawiyah ruled Syria for 25 years as a governor and built a powerful army of his own. Even when Hazrat Ali was the Caliph of Islam, he (Muawiyah) conquered Egypt and posted an administrator without the Caliph’s consent.
The appointment of Marwan-bin-Hakan as Hazrat Uthman’s Secretary was most controversial. He was a notorious man, root of all anarchies in Islam. Taking the advantage of the Caliph’s occupation in compiling the Holy Quran, Marwan gave ownerships of lands to the members of the Banu Umayyah and his relatives, thereby created the rich class and expelled the members of Banu Hashim from the administration.
Against this, Hazrat Abu Dhar Giffari, (Ra) a leading Sahabi of the Prophet, demanded economic and political reforms and said, “Islam does not endorse accumulation of wealth in the hands of the few.” He began campaign through the Republic of Medina. Frightened by it, Muawiyah and Marwan advised Hazral Uthman to send Abu Dhar on exile. Many historians called Abu Dhar (Ra) forerunner of socialism.
The murder of Uthman divided the Arabs. Disorder and ‘anarchy sprang everywhere. Amid this chaotic situation, the people of Medina, Mecca, Egypt, Basra and Kufa chose Hazrat Ali as Caliph. Immediately after the election, the new Caliph stressed first on the economic and the administrative reforms.
He dismissed the inefficient governors and decreed for the distribution of wealth between the rich and the poor. The Caliph’s initiative for the economic and the political reforms angered Talha (RA) and Zubair (RA) among others. Talha and Zubair met Hazrat Ayesha (RA) in Medina and convinced her to join them in an expedition against Hazrat Ali (RA.
Conspirator Marwan-bin-Hakam watched the new development and lost no time to express his solidarity with Talha and Zubair. The united forces moved against the central government in 656 AD, occupied Bashra and imprisoned its governor Uthman-bin-Hanif on December 9. Hazrat Ali sent troops against them and a fierce battle took place in which over 10,000 Muslims were killed from both the sides. In this battle, Ayesha (RA)’s brother Mohammad and the Prophet’s another trusted lieutenant Ammar-bin-Yasir (RA) supportged Hazrat Ali (RA). One day the Prophet (SM) said to Ammar: The rebels will kill you. The prediction came true. He was killed in the battle of Siffin.
In the other part of the Republic of Medina, the privileged class rallied round Syrian Governor Muawiyah, who made the murder of Uthman (RA) an issue to achieve his political ambition.
He recruited a vast army of 60,000 soldiers with an evil design of deposing the Caliphate. Leaning it, Hazrat Ali advanced towards Damascus, capital of Syria. The two sides met at Siffin on the bank of the river of Forat (Euphrates) in July, 657 AD. Hazrat Ali (RA) had 50,000 troops with him. When the Caliph was winning, Muawiyh ordered his troops to show the Holy Quran at the top of spears. Seeing it, a powerful brigade of Ali’s Army refused to continue fight and and left no option for Ali (RA) stop figjhting.
The fact is that the Syrian governor used the Quran just to deceive the people. Hazrat Ali (RA) realised, but had no second choice than accepting Muawiyah as governor of Syria and Egypt, the two provinces of the Republic of Medina, and signed an agreement. Another agreement was signed in 661 AD between Imam Hasan (RA) and Muawiyah in which it was agreed that Imam Hassan would abdicate the Caliphate in favour of Muawiyah, who would be succeeded by Imam Hussain (RA).
A deserted soldier killed Hazrat Ali in 661 AD. At this, the people of Kufa, Medina, Mecca and Basra chose the slain Caliph’s eldest son Imam Hassan their leader. But Muawiyah again revolted and sent an army against him. The two sides met at Madayin in the same year. When the victory was at hand, Muawiyah spread a rumour that Hassan’s commander Kayes had been killed. It worked as tonic. Finally Imam Hassan and Muawiyah signed a treaty.
Muawiyah destroyed the republic of Medina, and established monarchy in violation of the principles of Islam. He broke the treaty and nominated his son Yazid as next Caliph. It raised discontent in Medina, Mecca and Basra. Imam Hussain just demanded implementation of the treaty. To raise consciousness among the people, he led a peaceful procession towards Kufa, former capital of the Republic of Medina.
But Omar-bin-Saad, commander of Yazid’s troops, and his deputy Obaidullah intercepted him at Karbala. Imam Hussain realising the situation, proposed that he should either be allowed to meet Yazid at Damascus, or be allowed to stay in the fort on the Turkish border, or be allowed to return to Medina.
Obaidullah rejected the peace proposal and asked him to surrender unconditionally. Imam Hussain rejected such disgraceful condition and preferred martyrdom. Barnard Luis said, “The events at Karbala had no direct political impact; but it’s afterward effects were ever lasting.” Ameer Ali said, ‘The Karbala Tragedy unleashed reign of terror throughout the world and gave birth spirit of Persian nationalism and hastened fall of the Umayyad Dynasty in 750 AD’.
History gives evidence that Imam Hussain was the symbol of justice and truth. He never submitted to the oppression and anti-Islamic principles. He saved Islam from sinking into the immoral customs and perverted traditions nurtured by the pagan Arabs and the Romans. He is alive in the hearts of over billion Muslims. To the contrary, Yazid is the token of falsehood, perversion and oppression,
Yazid’s three notorious deeds are: The plundering the city of Medina, setting Kaaba on fire and the carnage at Karbala that killed Imam Hussain and his 58 companions.
The poor Ansars who sheltered Meccan Muslims, Imam Hassan (RA) and Imam Hussain are the ornaments of paradise–Hadith-i-Qudsi. Imam Hussain made a supreme sacrifice many years later in 680 AD, what Allah wanted Hazrat Ibrahim to do thousands of years ago.
On October 10 in 680 AD, history witnessed the world’s one of the greatest tragedies at Karbala in Iraq where the troops loyal to Umayyad ruler Yazid, killed Imam Hussain (RA) and his unarmed 58 companions of his convoy, mostly members of the House of the Prophet (sm). The tragedy has a long political and economic background.
Imam Hussain was the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (SM) and son of Hazrat Fatima (AS) and Hazrat Ali (RA). He was not a member of any of the four Caliphates but politically conscious enough to take right decision.
The whole of Arabian Peninsula and the rest of the world were going through ignorance for centuries before the advent of Islam. ‘Might is right’ was the law, and there were no rooms for justice and social values in the society. Historians called the period from 510 AD to 610 AD ‘The Dark Age’. Historian Gibbon said, ‘There occurred 1,600 battles among the tribes during the time of ignorance i.e. between 510 AD and 610 AD”
Banu Hashim and Banu Umayyad were the most influential tribes during the late sixth and the early seventh centuries. The others were Banu Bakr, Banu Tamim, Banu Yarba, Banu Taglib, Banu Mura, Banu Abs and Banu Zubaiyan. The tribe leaders were war mongers. For example, Banu Bakr and Banu Taghlib fought against each other for 40 years over death of a camel, while Banu Abs and Banu Zubaiyan shed blood for centuries over a horse race.
The people of Arabia divided into clans and tribes often fought for superiority of blood and race, even for trifling matter. If a member of a tribe was assaulted or killed, the music of battle began to drum in every house.
Possession of the keys of the Kaaba was a matter of pride and glory. The possessor enjoyed social, political and economic privileges and that is why every tribe and clan hankered after the keys.
After the death of Prophet Muhammad (SM), the members of Banu Hashim wanted Hazrat Ali (RA) as Caliph of Islam. But Banu Umayyad opposed it. The enmity between these two tribes was century old. The supporters of Hazrat Ali quoted a Hadith in support narrated by Saad-bin-Abi Wakkas, a trusted lieutenant of the Prophet MulIammad (SM).
One day the Prophet said to Hazrat Ali (sm). “You are in such a position with me as was Haroun with Moses. But after me there shall come no prophet.” Yet, the Banu Umayyad opposed the proposal. The situation became complicated. Fearing disunity and indiscipline, Hazrat Omar (RA) proposed the name of Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA), Prophet’s all time friend, as Caliph. Thus, an early disunity could be avoided.
In the early days of Islam, three systems were followed in selecting caliph.
The Prophet left it with the far sightedness, wisdom and intelligence of his companions.
On the other hand, Hazrat Abu Bakr after consulting with Hazrat Abdur Rahman-bin-Auf (RA), Hazrat Uthman (RA), Hazrat Ali (RA) and others nominated Hazrat Omar (RA) his successor. In contrast, Hazrat Omar formed a selection-panel consisting of six members. They were Abdur Rahman-bin-Auf, Hazrat Ali, Hazrat Uthman, Saad-bin-Abi Wakkas, Talha and Zubair. Hazrat Uthman (RA) became Caliph to the discontent of Banu Hashim. The panel by a majority vote picked up Hazrat Uthman.
During the time of Hazrat Abu Bakar and Hazrat Omar, the administration was fair. There were no allegations of corruption, nepotism and favouritism. Hazrat Omar reformed the economic sector. He prevented the rise of the economically privileged class. Hazrat Umar stressed on the need of the proper utilization of both movable and immovable wealth. Hazrat Ali advanced a step forward decreeing that land belongs to him who reclaims.
Hazrat Omar introduced the system of pension for the unemployed and the weak in understanding. Verse No..5 of Surah 4 of Al-Quran says, “Give not the properties, which Allah has given you as means of livelihood, to those who are weak in understanding but feed and clothe them and speak kind words to them.” Islam says, every man is entitled to food, clothing and shelter.
Hazrat Omar and Hazrat Ali believed in Arab Nationalism. They opposed purchase of land by the Arabs in the non-Arab regions. On the other hand, when Hazrat Uthman became Caliph, the racial dynasty surfaced and sowed the seeds of division among in the Muslim world. Muawiyah, the architect of the Umayyad Dynasty, sowed this division.
The 3rd Caliph of Islam retained Muawiyah as governor of Syria and blessed him with four more provinces namely Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon and Israel. Muawiyah ruled Syria for 25 years as a governor and built a powerful army of his own. Even when Hazrat Ali was the Caliph of Islam, he (Muawiyah) conquered Egypt and posted an administrator without the Caliph’s consent.
The appointment of Marwan-bin-Hakan as Hazrat Uthman’s Secretary was most controversial. He was a notorious man, root of all anarchies in Islam. Taking the advantage of the Caliph’s occupation in compiling the Holy Quran, Marwan gave ownerships of lands to the members of the Banu Umayyah and his relatives, thereby created the rich class and expelled the members of Banu Hashim from the administration.
Against this, Hazrat Abu Dhar Giffari, (Ra) a leading Sahabi of the Prophet, demanded economic and political reforms and said, “Islam does not endorse accumulation of wealth in the hands of the few.” He began campaign through the Republic of Medina. Frightened by it, Muawiyah and Marwan advised Hazral Uthman to send Abu Dhar on exile. Many historians called Abu Dhar (Ra) forerunner of socialism.
The murder of Uthman divided the Arabs. Disorder and ‘anarchy sprang everywhere. Amid this chaotic situation, the people of Medina, Mecca, Egypt, Basra and Kufa chose Hazrat Ali as Caliph. Immediately after the election, the new Caliph stressed first on the economic and the administrative reforms.
He dismissed the inefficient governors and decreed for the distribution of wealth between the rich and the poor. The Caliph’s initiative for the economic and the political reforms angered Talha (RA) and Zubair (RA) among others. Talha and Zubair met Hazrat Ayesha (RA) in Medina and convinced her to join them in an expedition against Hazrat Ali (RA.
Conspirator Marwan-bin-Hakam watched the new development and lost no time to express his solidarity with Talha and Zubair. The united forces moved against the central government in 656 AD, occupied Bashra and imprisoned its governor Uthman-bin-Hanif on December 9. Hazrat Ali sent troops against them and a fierce battle took place in which over 10,000 Muslims were killed from both the sides. In this battle, Ayesha (RA)’s brother Mohammad and the Prophet’s another trusted lieutenant Ammar-bin-Yasir (RA) supportged Hazrat Ali (RA). One day the Prophet (SM) said to Ammar: The rebels will kill you. The prediction came true. He was killed in the battle of Siffin.
In the other part of the Republic of Medina, the privileged class rallied round Syrian Governor Muawiyah, who made the murder of Uthman (RA) an issue to achieve his political ambition.
He recruited a vast army of 60,000 soldiers with an evil design of deposing the Caliphate. Leaning it, Hazrat Ali advanced towards Damascus, capital of Syria. The two sides met at Siffin on the bank of the river of Forat (Euphrates) in July, 657 AD. Hazrat Ali (RA) had 50,000 troops with him. When the Caliph was winning, Muawiyh ordered his troops to show the Holy Quran at the top of spears. Seeing it, a powerful brigade of Ali’s Army refused to continue fight and and left no option for Ali (RA) stop figjhting.
The fact is that the Syrian governor used the Quran just to deceive the people. Hazrat Ali (RA) realised, but had no second choice than accepting Muawiyah as governor of Syria and Egypt, the two provinces of the Republic of Medina, and signed an agreement. Another agreement was signed in 661 AD between Imam Hasan (RA) and Muawiyah in which it was agreed that Imam Hassan would abdicate the Caliphate in favour of Muawiyah, who would be succeeded by Imam Hussain (RA).
A deserted soldier killed Hazrat Ali in 661 AD. At this, the people of Kufa, Medina, Mecca and Basra chose the slain Caliph’s eldest son Imam Hassan their leader. But Muawiyah again revolted and sent an army against him. The two sides met at Madayin in the same year. When the victory was at hand, Muawiyah spread a rumour that Hassan’s commander Kayes had been killed. It worked as tonic. Finally Imam Hassan and Muawiyah signed a treaty.
Muawiyah destroyed the republic of Medina, and established monarchy in violation of the principles of Islam. He broke the treaty and nominated his son Yazid as next Caliph. It raised discontent in Medina, Mecca and Basra. Imam Hussain just demanded implementation of the treaty. To raise consciousness among the people, he led a peaceful procession towards Kufa, former capital of the Republic of Medina.
But Omar-bin-Saad, commander of Yazid’s troops, and his deputy Obaidullah intercepted him at Karbala. Imam Hussain realising the situation, proposed that he should either be allowed to meet Yazid at Damascus, or be allowed to stay in the fort on the Turkish border, or be allowed to return to Medina.
Obaidullah rejected the peace proposal and asked him to surrender unconditionally. Imam Hussain rejected such disgraceful condition and preferred martyrdom. Barnard Luis said, “The events at Karbala had no direct political impact; but it’s afterward effects were ever lasting.” Ameer Ali said, ‘The Karbala Tragedy unleashed reign of terror throughout the world and gave birth spirit of Persian nationalism and hastened fall of the Umayyad Dynasty in 750 AD’.
History gives evidence that Imam Hussain was the symbol of justice and truth. He never submitted to the oppression and anti-Islamic principles. He saved Islam from sinking into the immoral customs and perverted traditions nurtured by the pagan Arabs and the Romans. He is alive in the hearts of over billion Muslims. To the contrary, Yazid is the token of falsehood, perversion and oppression,
Yazid’s three notorious deeds are: The plundering the city of Medina, setting Kaaba on fire and the carnage at Karbala that killed Imam Hussain and his 58 companions.
The poor Ansars who sheltered Meccan Muslims, Imam Hassan (RA) and Imam Hussain are the ornaments of paradise–Hadith-i-Qudsi. Imam Hussain made a supreme sacrifice many years later in 680 AD, what Allah wanted Hazrat Ibrahim to do thousands of years ago.
