Biography of Imam `alĪ Ibn AbĪ-tĀlib

abdullah Ibn Sad

`Abdullah had shared his mother’s milk with `Uthman. He was the son of Sa`d ibn Abi-Sarh. Sa`d was amongst the persons who conspired against Islam remaining within it. Because of this attitude, such persons are termed as hypocrites. Ibn Qutaybah writes:

“`Abdullah’s father, Sa`d, was in the group of the hypocrites (munafiqūn).”[1]

Although `Abdullah was a companion of the Prophet (a.s) and a transcriptor of Qur’an, his mind was same as that of his father. The proof of this was that when the Prophet (a.s) dictated the Verses, `Abdullah used to make alteration in the words at will. Therefore, instead of the word al-kafirin (the disbelievers), he wrote al-zalimin (the unjust ones); and instead of al-`aziz al-hakim (the Almighty, the Wise), he wrote al-`alim al-hakim (the All-knowing, the Wise). Once transcribing a verse about human birth, in the context of the Verse, the following words came out of his mouth: fa-tabaraka allahu ahsanu al-khaliqin (so blessed be Allah, the best of the creators). The Prophet (a.s) said, “This too is a part of the Verse. Write it down.” Although he wrote it down, a doubt crept into his mind. Whether the Qur’an is a revealed scripture or the Prophet (a.s) himself has thought it out. Then he started gossiping about it that the Qur’an was not a Divine Revelation and that he himself could produce such literature! The following Verse was then revealed:

وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنْ افْتَرَى عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِبًا أَوْ قَالَ أُوحِيَ إِلَيَّ وَلَمْ يُوحَ إِلَيْهِ شَيْءٌ وَمَنْ قَالَ سَأُنزِلُ مِثْلَ مَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ.

“And who is more unjust than he who forges a lie against Allah, or says: It has been revealed to me; while nothing has been revealed to him, and he who says: I can reveal the like of what Allah has revealed? (6/93)”

Because of this loose talk, the Prophet (a.s) exiled `Abdullah from al-Madinah. He therefore turned against Islam, went to Makkah and continued his campaign of vilification. He told people that Muhammad (a.s) himself

[1] Al-Ma`ārif, Page 131

makes the verses and says that they are revealed to him. `Uthman was always in the forefront of taking up the cause of such person. He therefore recommended to the Prophet (a.s) to allow `Abdullah to return to al-Madinah. But the Prophet (a.s) refused him entry. When Makkah was conquered and the Prophet (a.s) entered there as the victor, he ordered `Abdullah ibn Sa`d to be executed even if he clings to the cover of the Ka`bah. When `Uthman learned about this order of the Prophet (a.s), he worried very much and hid `Abdullah somewhere. When the events normalized he took `Abdullah to the Prophet (a.s) and said, “O Prophet of Allah (a.s)! This `Abdullah ibn Sa`d has come to owe his allegiance to you. Do give him amnesty.” The Prophet (a.s) neither extended his hand for bay`ah nor did he speak anything. He was quiet for along time. On the other, hand the insistence of `Uthman increased. In the end, the Prophet (a.s) gave amnesty to him. When `Abdullah left, the Prophet (a.s) told the persons sitting with him that I kept quiet for such a ling while that someone of you rose to slay the person, “Was there none amongst you who could rush towards that dog and killed him before I gave him amnesty.”[1]

`Umar said, “O Prophet of Allah (a.s)! If you had given slight message through your eyes, we could have slain him!”

The Prophet (a.s) said, “I do not order executions with my eyes nor do the prophets communicate through their eyes.”[2]

`Uthman, during his days, closed his eyes to the behavior of `Abdullah ibn Sa`d and appointed him governor to Egypt. After taking charge of the emirate of Egypt, he adopted the same attitude that was feared from him. There was a spate of tyranny and oppression in the province. Contentment of the people turned into penury. Excepting some favorites of `Uthman, the entire population of Egypt was unhappy. People turned against the governor and they had a similar feeling for the center. In the end Muhammad ibn Abi-Hudhayfah overturned the establishment in Egypt and released the people from the clutches of the tyrant. Muhammad ibn Abi-Hudhayfah was brought up by `Uthman and was under his care after his father, Hudhayfah, was killed in the Battle of Yarmūk. When Muhammad grew up, he asked `Uthman to give him permission to work for the promotion and propagation of Islam and go for jihad with some contingent. `Uthman sent him with `Abdullah ibn Sa`d to help him in Egypt. He went with some companions to Egypt. Muhammad ibn Hudhayfah was a very pious person. When he saw the maladministration

[1] Ansāb al-Ashrāf, Vol 1, Page 358
[2] Ansāb al-Ashrāf, Vol 1, Page 358

in Egypt, he tried to convince `Abdullah to mend his ways. When he did not pay any heed to Muhammad’s repeated appeals, he openly started preparing people to rise against `Abdullah. He also reported about the conditions in Egypt to `Uthman and told him that he had imposed such an evil person over the people in Egypt whom the Prophet (a.s) declared a persona non grata. They people of Egypt were impressed with the piety of Muhammad ibn Hudhayfah. They gathered around him. When he saw the situation worsening, `Abdullah ibn Sa`d wrote to `Uthman that his ward ibn Abi-Hudhayfah has spoiled the environment in Egypt and was instigating the people to rebel. If immediate arrangements are not made, things might go out of control. `Uthman could not think of any other strategy than controlling the situation through the use of wealth. He therefore sent some expensive garments and thirty thousand dirhams to Muhammad ibn Abi-Hudhayfah. This strategy did not work on Muhammad. He took the garments and the money to the people and said:

“O group of Muslims! You do not see this act of `Uthman that he wants to trick me in the matter of the Faith and has sent to me this wealth as a gratification.”[1]

The result of this episode was that the opposition further increased. And the feelings of rebellion came up in the minds of the people. People openly started talking against `Abdullah ibn Sa`d. When `Uthman heard about this situation, he wrote to Muhammad that he did not expect such behavior from him. But Muhammad Ibn Abi-Hudhayfah was not impressed with the fans of `Uthman appeals and he continued his campaign against `Abdullah ibn Sa`d. At last one group of Egyptians went as a delegation to al-Madinah to plead with the caliph for removal of `Abdullah ibn Sa`d. In this group, there was Muhammad ibn Abi-Bakr too was there who was associated with the movement of Muhammad ibn Abi-Hudhayfah.

Following this delegation, `Abdullah ibn Sa`d too proceeded towards al-Madinah. Now the administration of Egypt came to the hands of Muhammad ibn Abi-Hudhayfah. When `Abdullah reached Aylah road to al-Madinah he learnt that `Uthman had been besieged in his own house and that going there would be fraught with danger. He returned to Egypt from there. But Muhammad ibn Abi-Hudhayfah did not allow him entry into the city. When he found no place of succor, he proceeded towards Palestine and halted at the border between Egypt and Palestine. He waited there to see what turn the

[1] Al-Kāmil fit-Tārīkh, Vol 3, Page 135

events took. During those days, one person passed that way. He informed that `Uthman was assassinated in al-Madinah. He said “We are Allah’s and to Him do we return.” He asked who was elected as the next caliph. The person said it was `Ali Ibn Abi-Talib.” `Abdullah again said, “We are Allah’s and to Him do we return.” The man asked him, “Do you consider the assassination and selection of `Ali (a.s) to the caliphate as tragedies of the same order?” Then the person looked at him with deep intent and said, “Are you `Abdullah ibn Sa`d?” He replied, “Yes. I am!” The man said, “Then, run and save your life! Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s) will put you and your associates to sword or will send you into exile!” `Abdullah proceeded from there to Damascus and lived there for some time under the protection of Mu`awiyah. He died at `Asqalan in 36 or 37 H.