Biography of Imam `alĪ Ibn AbĪ-tĀlib

Ibn `amir in Al-basrah

When Mu`awiyah captured Egypt, he thought of attacking al-Basrah and annexing it. Therefore, he called `Abdullah ibn `Amir al-Hadrami and told him that the people of al-Basrah still have the wish to seek retaliation for the blood of `Uthman. They want someone to come forward and they would join him to fight with the killers of `Uthman. He said that he, `Abdullah ibn `Amir, was suitable for the purpose. Therefore, he asked him to go to al-Basrah and stay with Banū-Tamim. But he asked him to beware of the tribe of Rabi`ah because they were Turabiyyah or Shi`ah of Abū-Turab. Ibn `Amir readily agreed to this suggestion.

When Mu`awiyah found him willing, he wrote to `Amr ibn al-`As that he wanted to send `Abdullah ibn `Amir to al-Basrah so that he could revive the movement for the qisas. He sought `Amr’s opinion about the move. `Amr agreed with the suggestion and Mu`awiyah sent Ibn `Amir to al-Basrah.

When Ibn `Amir arrived at al-Basrah, as instructed, he stayed with Banū-Tamim. One group of people of al-Basrah too assembled who were of the same opinion. He addressed them, “You know that `Uthman was assassinated in oppression! The responsibility of this killing rests with `Ali (a.s). You people had cooperated in the matter of seeking retaliation for the blood of `Uthman. Allah will reward you for this act! Many important persons from your place were killed claiming for the qisas. Rise and take revenge on the killers. We shall always be ready to give help to you.” Al-Dahhak ibn `Abdullah told `Amir, “May Allah put you in trouble! You are again trying to ignite the mischief that had died down! This was the mischief that was raised by Talhah and al-Zubayr and instigated us against Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s) although we had already owed our allegiance to him. We were all united people, but the two came here and created rifts in every household and made us fight with one other. We are paying for that mistake until now! You have come up again with the message of destruction. We are under the bay`ah of the Truthful Imam (a.s)! He has forgiven us our mistakes! He has even forgiven his mortal enemies! You want us to come out with swords and cut each others’ necks so that you get a position from Mu`awiyah! By Allah! One day of `Ali (a.s) is more valuable than a hundred years of Mu`awiyah and his family!”

At this, `Abdullah ibn Khuzaym al-Salami said, “Keep quiet! You are not competent to interfere in these matters!” He turned to Ibn `Amir and said, “We are your supporters and friends! We shall be with you in the matter of the qisas!” al-Dahhak said, “You son of the Abyssinian woman! What are you and what is your status? By Allah! One whom you support is without any support! And the one, whom you oppose, need not have any fear!”

At this, both started using invectives against each other. `Abd al-Rahman ibn `Umayr al-Tamimi said, “We have not assembled here to fight with one other. We must have unity between us. My suggestion is first to listen to the letter sent by the emir of Syria. If it sounds useful, act on it!” Therefore the letter from Mu`awiyah was read to them. He wrote, “O people of al-Basrah! You have seen the style of functioning of `Uthman. He was a peace loving and gentle mannered person. He was a supporter for the weak and friend of the oppressed. Some cruel persons besieged him and killed him hungry and thirsty. We invite you to claim the qisas for his blood and take responsibility that the verdicts will be based on the Book and the Sunnah of the Prophet (a.s). We shall also pay half yearly pensions to the people of al-Basrah!”

When this letter was read, most of the gathering supported the suggestion. Al-Ahnaf ibn Qays kept quiet and said that he was not concerned with the matter. However, one person from the tribe of `Abd al-Qays, `Amr ibn Marhūm said, “O People! You remain firm on your previous bay`ah! Do not create rift in the society by breaking the bay`ah! If you break the bay`ah at the call of this person, then you will meet with calamity and destruction! “`Abbas ibn Sahar al-`Abdi, who was inimical to the Imam (a.s) against the opinion of his tribe of `Abd al-Qays, said, “We shall support him in our words and our deeds and will not leave anything aside in helping him!”

When Muthanna ibn Makhrabah al-`Abdi heard this, he told Ibn `Amir, “Do not be carried away by what Ibn Sahar has said! It is better you go back from where you have come! Otherwise, we shall send you back with our swords, spears and arrows! Should we recant from our support to the Prophet’s cousin and enter into the bay`ah of a rebel! By Allah! It shall never happen!” When Ibn `Amir heard the emotional outbursts of the opponents, he told Sabrah ibn Shayman al-Azdi, “O Sabrah! You too are of the same opinion as us and are a great personality of the Arab World and the chief of your tribe! Help me and promise me amnesty! “Sabrah said, “If you get up from Banū-Tamim and come over to me and stay at my home, we shall help you and provide you amnesty! “`Amir said, “I am supposed to stay where I have been ordered to stay!” When Sabrah heard this, he went away angrily!

The governor of al-Basrah, `Abdullah ibn `Abbas was in al-Kūfah at that time to give his condolences on the demise of Muhammad ibn Abi-Bakr and the governorate was in the hands of Ziyad ibn `Ubayd. On the arrival of Ibn `Amir, Ziyad was worried because Banū-Tamim, and others who wanted the qisas, were in favor of Ibn `Amir. He called Hazin ibn al-Mundhir and Malik ibn tasmah to the governor’s house and told them, “O people of the tribe of Bakr ibn Wa’il! You are counted amongst the supporters of Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s)! I am concerned about the interference and mischief of the enemy. Until the instructions for action are received from Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s), give me protection.” Hazin ibn al-Mundhir said, “If you are asking for protection, I am ready to give it!” But Malik said, “I cannot tell anything without asking my men.” When Ziyad felt that Malik was trying to evade the issue of protection he sent word to Sabrah ibn Shayman al-Azdi to give him protection and protect the bayt al-mal. Therefore, overnight Ziyad shifted to his place and the bayt al-mal and the pulpit too were shifted there.

When the governor’s house was vacant after Ziyad shifted, Banū-Tamim and their cohorts wanted to keep Ibn `Amir there. Therefore, they proceeded towards the governor’s house with Ibn `Amir. When Banū-Azd saw this, they too came with their horses and said that we shall not allow an undesirable person to stay in the Dar al-Imarah. When insistence started from the other side, the situation worsened and al-Ahnaf ibn Qays intervened and told the companions of Ibn `Amir that they did not have more right than the others on the governor’s house nor it was right to force a person on them whom they consider undesirable. With the persuasion of al-Ahnaf, they went back to their homes.

Ziyad wrote to `Abdullah ibn `Abbas that Mu`awiyah had sent Ibn `Amir al-Hadrami who was staying with Banū-Tamim. He was instigating people to start claiming retaliation for the blood of `Uthman once again. Lot of people from al-Basrah have joined him. He wrote that he had taken shelter with Sabrah ibn Shayman al-Azdi and the bayt al-mal too was shifted to Banū-Azd. He wrote that the Shi`ah of `Ali (a.s) were visiting him and the Shi`ah of `Uthman were going to Ibn `Amir. The Dar al-Imarah was lying vacant. He asked `Abdullah ibn `Abbas to inform about the situation to Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s) and communicate his instructions.

Ziyad remained hidden with Banū-Azd for one day. But they insisted that hiding like that would not serve any purpose. They forced him to lead the Friday Prayer and give the Sermon. Therefore, Ziyad led the Friday Congregation and giving the Sermon said, “If I had taken shelter with Banū-

Tamim and Ibn `Amir had your support, I would not have been able to subdue Ibn `Amir! And now that I have your protection, Ibn `Amir cannot subdue me nor the son of the ‘Chewer of Human Liver’, Mu`awiyah, would be able to overwhelm Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s), the Muhajirūn and the Ansar. O people of Banū-Azd! I have witnessed your valor at the Battle of the Camel. You had demonstrated patience and bravery on that momentous day in support of the forces of evil. I am sure you will show the same fortitude and bravery in support of the Truth now!” At this point Shayman, the father of Sabrah, said, “O people of Banū-Azd! As a result of the Battle of the Camel, you got only insult and infamy! If I were present at that time, I would never have permitted you to fight. If you were against `Ali (a.s) then, wash the black mark on your reputation by siding wholeheartedly with him now! If Banū-Tamim bring their chief in the battlefield, you too must take your chief there and fight with them. If they seek reinforcements from Mu`awiyah, you too must seek reinforcements from `Ali (a.s)! If they seek for peace, you too should agree for peace!” Then his son Sabrah stood up and said, “We do not have any fear from `Ali (a.s), but we do not trust Mu`awiyah! Therefore, stand up with your arms and justify the shelter that you have given to Ziyad.”

The men of Banū-Azd said in one voice, “We are under your command! Whatever orders you give us, we shall follow without asking any questions!” Ziyad asked, “O Sabrah! Tell me, if you have any fear that you will not be able to fight with Banū-Tamim?” Sabrah said, “There is no question of any such fear! If they bring al-Ahnaf, we shall put forward Abū-Sabrah. If they bring Habbah, I shall fight with him. If they bring their youths, we do not have shortage of youths with us!” When Banū-Tamim saw that Banū-Azd were backing Ziyad and were ready to fight, they sent a message to them that they need not fight. Instead of that they would send Ibn `Amir and from the other side Ziyad should come and fight to decide who is the winner. Whoever of the two won, everyone should accept to obey him. Abū-Sabrah replied that this claim could be accepted when we had not given shelter to Ziyad. Now sending him out to fight and killing him are both the same.

When Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s) learned about the worsening situation in al-Basrah, he told Banū-Tamim of al-Kūfah to go to al-Basrah and convince the men of their tribe to abstain from mischief. But none of them agreed to go. The Imam (a.s) asked them what prevented them from going to meet the men of their own tribe. You give your brothers and your sons advice to do good. If they disagree, fight with them. Ayn ibn ²abyah al-Tamimi stood up and said that he was willing to do the task. He said either he will kill `Amir to finish

the story or push him out of the environs of al-Basrah. The Imam (a.s) sent him to al-Basrah and wrote to Ziyad that he was sending `Ayn ibn ²abyah to convince the head-strong people of his tribe to disburse. If the Banū-Tamim remained stubborn, do jihad with them taking along your supporters. He asked Ziyad to keep them engaged until the army of Islam arrived. When Ibn ²abyah reached al-Basrah he first went to Banū-Azd and gave Amir al-Mu’minin’s letter to Ziyad and said that he hoped to bring back the conditions to normalcy. Then he assembled the Banū-Tamim and told them, “O people of my tribe! Why do you give your lives by joining the mischief mongers? By Allah! To crush you the contingent has already been mobilized! If you come to the straight path, the contingent may not come here. But if you remain adamant to create unrest, then remember your death and destruction is certain! “Ibn ²abyah tried to convince them the whole day and explained to them the serious consequences of recanting from the bay`ah. In the end, they said that they would listen to what he advised. But when he started to go back to his residence in the evening, ten persons followed him and killed him mercilessly.

Ziyad informed the Imam (a.s) of the sincere efforts of Ibn ²abyah and about his killing. The Imam (a.s) sent Jariyah Ibn Khadhmah al-Sa`idi along with fifty men of Banū-Tamim to al-Basrah with instructions that they should be cautious against the enemies lest they were attacked the way Ibn ²abyah was. On reaching al-Basrah, Jariyah first met Ziyad and then went to Banū-Azd and read the Imam’s letter which was addressed to the people of al-Basrah, “O people of al-Basrah! Because of your rebellious acts you did not deserve any concessions. But I have pardoned your criminals and did not punish those who laid down the arms. You had owed your allegiance to me willingly. If you remain on my bay`ah and make faithfulness your habit, I shall treat you according to the norms of the Qur’an and the Sunnah. But if you demonstrated lack of intelligence and adopt rebellious attitude, I will be forced to act severely. Then you will be faced with such a battle that you will forget the hardships of the Battle of the Camel. I am sure you will not pave the way for your destruction with your own hands.”

When this letter was read, Sabrah ibn Shayban stood up and said, “We shall listen to every word of Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s) and act on it! We shall battle with those people, with whom he fights! The people with whom he makes peace, we too shall make peace with them! O Jariyah! If you can deal with the enemy using your men, it is well and good! Otherwise, we are ready to assist you in all ways.” After him the others too assured Jariyah of their

cooperation. Now Jariyah went along with his men to Banū-Tamim and explained to them the pros and cons and tried to bring them to the right path. But none gave ear to him and started misbehaving. When Jariyah saw the situation, he sought help from Ziyad and Banū-Azd. Ziyad addressed Banū-Azd, “O Banū-Azd! Those who were friends yesterday are enemies today! And those who were enemies yesterday are friends now! Jariyah needs our help. Therefore, rise and help him against the enemy!” Therefore Banū-Azd armed themselves and Sharik ibn al-A`war, who was a Shi`ah of `Ali (a.s), and a friend of Jariyah, too joined the men. On the other side Ibn `Amir appointed `Abdullah ibn Khuzaym al-Salami as the chief of the horsemen. Both the parties brought their men to the battlefield. For some time there was fierce battle. In the end Ibn `Amir and his men fled and took shelter in the Palace of Zanbil around which there was a protective moat. Among these fugitives was `Abdullah ibn Khuzaym. When his mother, `Ajla, learned that her son has been besieged, she went running and shouted for her son. He looked at his mother from the top of the palace and asked her why she had come. She asked him to come down and go home with her. He refused to go with her. `Ajla, who was a black Abyssinian woman, removed the scarf from her head and said that if he did not come down she would become totally naked.

Ibn Khuzaym was thus forced to come down. And went away with his mother. After Ibn Khuzaym went, Jariyah and Ziyad laid siege of the palace. When no efforts to vacate it of the enemies succeeded, Jariyah set fire to the building and Ibn `Amir, along with his companions, was killed in that conflagration. Some were crushed under the crumbling walls and the others were killed trying to escape. Among those who were killed were `Abd al-Rahman ibn `Umayr al-Tamimi and Dharih ibn Badr.

Ziyad sent a letter with ²abyan ibn `Umayr to Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s). He wrote that they had achieved victory and the enemy was finished at the hands of Jariyah. The Imam (a.s) expressed satisfaction at the crushing of that rebellion and asked ²abyan where his house was located in al-Basrah? He told about the location of his house. The Imam (a.s) asked him to build a house on the out-skirts of al-Basrah and shift there. He added that al-Basrah will always be under fire and water and will submerge in a manner that except the minarets of the Mosque, nothing else will be visible! Therefore, al-Basrah was submerged twice. Once during the period of al-Qadir billah, the `Abbasid ruler, and the next time again when al-Qa’im bi-amrillah was ruling and the flood level was so high that only the minarets of the Mosque were above the water level!

This act of Mu`awiyah was the result of his greed for power, arrogance and enmity for peace. In the end his designs were abjectly defeated. The same tribe of Banū-Azd on whom he was banking, supported Ziyad and proved an important weapon in the hands of Jariyah. They crushed the enemy in such a manner that they left no trace of them in al-Basrah. Mu`awiyah’s step was not without any purpose and planning. The reasons behind the move were:

(1) Mu`awiyah, after capturing Egypt, thought that the military strength of the Imam (a.s) had gone down in Iraq, otherwise he would have sent reinforcements from al-Kūfah to help Muhammad ibn Abi-Bakr. He thought that when there was no force available at the center, how could there be sufficient numbers in al-Basrah to resist attack.

(2) `Abdullah ibn `Abbas, who was the relative of the Imam (a.s) and his staunch supporter, was then away in al-Kūfah. His deputy, Ziyad, was holding temporary charge and would not have jeopardized his life to fight back the attack. There was a strong likelihood that he would put down arms and surrender.

(3) Al-Basrah was already the theater of the Battle of the Camel recently and the people of that place had supported Talhah and al-Zubayr claiming retaliation for the blood of `Uthman. There was no scarcity of people in that city who still felt the need for the qisas. Even if they did not side with the attackers, they would not also help the defenders!

(4) Innumerable persons from al-Basrah were killed by `Ali (a.s) and his men. The survivors of those who were killed had the fire of revenge burning in their hearts. They would certainly support Mu`awiyah’s troops to fight the Imam’s troops.

(5) Al-Basrah was located in the neighborhood of Persia. If this place was conquered, it would serve as a launching pad for other conquests to follow!