Power politics after Ali by Waseem Altaf Caliph Ali(reign 656-661) was assassinated in January 661 AD. It was a time when Ali was in the midst of preparing a war against Muawiyah (reign 661-680), the governor of Syria who refused to pledge allegiance. After the murder of Ali, on recommendation by the governor of Yemen namely Ubaid Allah bin Al-Abbas, Hassan was appointed as the next caliph in Medina. By then Muawiyah had established himself as a parallel caliph at Damascus. Hassan wrote a letter to Muawiyah to give his oath of allegiance. In return Muawiyah offered a rich pension, immense land holdings and promise to name Hassan as his successor in exchange for withdrawal of claim to Caliphate. Hassan refused the offer and Muawiyah advanced for a decisive battle with an army reportedly 60,000 strong. Two events changed the course of the battle. One, Hassan instead of rousing his army made a peace speech causing confusion and pandemonium among the troops. Second, his commander Ubayd Allah was bribed by Muawiyah to switch sides. Hassan then accepted defeat and in exchange for one million dirhams and tax revenue from the agricultural lands of Fasa and Darabjird withdrew to a life of retirement in Medina. (he was later to be poisoned by one of his several wives) Muawiyah was now the sixth undisputed caliph of Islam. Muawiya was a very competent administrator and an extremely shrewd politician. And while ensuring peace and stability within the caliphate through a policy of carrot and stick, he continued with the conquest of neighboring territories stretching as far as Algeria in the West to Khorasan in the East and river Oxen in the North. However, Muawiyah’s obsession with Ali was so strong that cursing Ali was officially made a part of the Friday sermon in every mosque in his domain. Muawiyah died on April 28,680 AD but before that he ensured that his son Yazid took over as his successor. Muawiyah decreed that the caliph could only be from the Abu Sufyan clan of Banu Ummya. One of the contenders Abd Rahman son of Khalid Bin Waleed was poisoned while Marwan, the governor of Medina was replaced by Al-Walid, his nephew. Soon after assuming power Yazid(reign 680-683) wrote a secret letter to Al-Walid, his cousin to seek oath of allegiance from Hussain bin Ali and Abdullah bin Zubayr whose father was in the six-member council which selected Usman, the third caliph. Both had earlier opposed the appointment of Yazid as the next caliph. Al-Walid summoned Hussain and Abdullah bin Zubyr who sensed danger in case of non compliance and both fled Medina for Mecca in the darkness of night. It is interesting to note that 58 years earlier in 622 AD Mohammad had to escape from Mecca for Medina and set up an Islamic state. Almost six decades later his grandson had to flee the Islamic state of Medina for Mecca to save his life. After coming to Mecca Abdullah bin Zubyr declared himself a Caliph while Hussain received several letters from Kufa to challenge Yazid. Hussian sent Muslim bin Aqeel, his cousin, to go to Kufa and assess the situation. Muslim bin Aqeel then sent a letter to Hussain that there was large-scale discontentment against Yazid and Hussain should immediately come to Kufa. However, the situation changed fast before Hussain could be informed and Muslim bin Aqeel was caught and beheaded. Four days later when Hussain received the message of the murder of Muslim bin Aqeel and the change of heart of Kufans, he decided to turn back. However, the brothers of Muslim bin Aqeel persuaded him to proceed to avenge the murder of their brother. The caravan moved on and it is said that a battle took place at Karbala. It is also reported that the army of Yazid comprised 40,000.,facing less than 100. The battle was lost and Hussian was beheaded. The heads of Hussain and his companions were then placed on pikes and distributed among the loyalist tribes. In 683 AD Yazid sent an army to subdue Abdullah bin Zubyr. Medina was plundered for three days and the attack on Mecca resulted in the destruction of the Kaaba. While the siege of Mecca was in progress, Yazid died on November 14, 683 AD. His son Muawiyah II succeeded him as caliph in Damascus. Meanwhile, Abdullah bin Zubyr held control over Mecca as parallel caliph. (To be concluded)
Posted on: Wed, 29 Oct 2014 15:17:37 +0000
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