Amr b. al-Hajjaj al-Zubaydi
Amr b. al-Hajjaj al-Zubaydi (Arabic: عَمرو بن الحَجّاج الزُبَیدی) was one of the commanders of Umar b. Sa'd's army who withdrew his support of Ahl al Bayt. He was among those who wrote letters to Imam al-Hussain and invited him to Kufa. However, on the Day of Ashura, he fought on the side of Umar b. Sa'd's army and was responsible for blocking the access to Euphrates. On the Day of Ashura, he announced Imam al-Hussain is out of religion which Imam strongly opposed it. His soldiers killed Muslim b. Awsaja. In the Uprising of Mukhtar, he was among his dissidents and after the revolt of Kufa was suppressed, he disappeared.
| Amr b. al-Hajjaj al-Zubaydi Commander of the right wing of Umar b. Sa'd's army | |
|---|---|
| Native name | عَمرو بن الحَجّاج الزُبَیدی |
| Full Name | Amr b. al-Hajjaj al-Madhhiji al-Zubaydi |
| Lineage | Madhhij Tribe |
| Place of Residence | Kufa |
| Era | Umayyad Dynasty |
| Known for | In charge of blocking access to Euphrates |
| Activities | Chief of Madhhij Tribe, Testimony against Hujr b. Adi, Sending letter to invite Imam al-Hussain to Kufa |
Lineage
Before the Battle of Karbala
Amr was the chief of Madhhij tribe. Amr b. Hajjaj accepted Islam at the time of the Holy Prophet.
When Hujr b. Adi was in prison, Amr testified against him.
Amr b. Hajjaj was among those who wrote letter to Imam al-Hussain and invited him to Iraq, but later changed his allegiance to Ubayd Allah b. Ziyad.When Ibn Ziyad captured Hani b. Urwa, Amr and his tribe gathered in front of Dar al-Imara, but Amr told them that Hani b. 'Urwa was alive and made them return. It is said that Raw'a, Amr b. Hajjaj's sister was Hani's wife.
In the Battle of Karbala
On Muharram 7th, Umar b. Sa'd ordered Amr b. Hajjaj to block Imam's access to the water of Euphrates with 500 horsemen. The following statement is attributed to him:
"O Hussain! This is the water of Euphrates from which dogs, donkeys and pigs drink. By God I swear! You will not drink a sip of it until you drink from Hamim in the hellfire."
When Imam al-Hussain sent Abbas b. Ali to 'Umar b. Sa'd to take the night of Ashura, Amr b. Hajjaj said, "If a man from Daylam asked us such a request, we should have accepted it."
He was among those who took the heads of the Martyrs of Karbala to Ibn Ziyad.
The Dialogue between Nafi' b. Hilal with Amr b. Hajjaj when Nafi' and Abbas with their companions arrived at Euphrates:
Amr b. Hajjaj Zubaydi: Who are you? Nafi' b. Hilal: one of your cousins. We have come to drink from water you have prevented us from. 'Amr: Help yourself, drink! But, do not take from it for Hussain! Nafi': By God I swear, I won't [drink]! While Hussain, his family and companions are all thirsty.
On the Day of Ashura
On the day of Ashura, Amr was the commander of the right wing of Umar b. Sa'd's army. His soldiers killed Muslim b. Awsaja. He suggested to stone the companions of Imam al-Hussain with which Umar b. Sa'd agreed.
On the day of Ashura, Amr announced Imam al-Hussain out of religion and Yazid as imam and urged the army of Umar b. Sa'd to fight with Imam al-Hussain which encountered Imam's reaction to it.
After the Battle of Karbala
Amr b. Hajjaj was one of those opposing the uprising of Mukhtar. He was among the companions of Abd Allah b. Muti' in the war of Ibn Muti' (ruler of Kufa appointed by Abd Allah b. Zubayr) with Mukhtar. On the day the rebels were defeated by Mukhtar, he disappeared. Mukhtar ordered to destroy his house and confiscated his property. There are different opinions about his fate. Dinwari has said that he went toward Basra, but sidetracked to Sharaf for the fear of being admonished by people. According to al-Baladhuri, he escaped and died out of thirst in Waqisa. It is said that when the soldiers of Mukhtar reached him, he was still alive and they beheaded him. Al-Tabari and Ibn Athir said that he went toward Waqisa and Sharaf and they received no other news about him.