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Muslim b. Aqil b. Abi Talib: Difference between revisions
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|native_name=مسلم بن عقیل بن ابی طالب}} | |native_name=مسلم بن عقیل بن ابی طالب}} | ||
'''Muslim b. Aqil b. Abi Talib''' (d. 60/680) was a leading supporter of [[Hussain ibn Ali|Imam Hussain]]. He was sent to [[Kufa]] as a representative of Imam Hussain in order to measure the extent of Kufan support for the Prophet’s grandson | '''Muslim b. Aqil b. Abi Talib''' (d. 60/680) was a leading supporter of [[Hussain ibn Ali|Imam Hussain]]. He was sent to [[Kufa]] as a representative of Imam Hussain in order to measure the extent of Kufan support for the Prophet’s grandson. The aim was to make sure that people of Kufa are truthful in their invitation of the Imam. In a report to the Imam, he confirmed that Kufans were prepared for the Imam's arrival. | ||
Fearful of increasing Kufan supports of Imam Hussain, [[Yazid]] appointed [[Obayd-Allah Ibn Ziad]] as the new governor of Kufa to frighten people and force them to leave Muslim. Finally, Muslim was arrested and executed in the day of ‘Arafa. The story of Muslim being left alone and his [[martyrdom]] in Kufa is a recurring theme of [[Rawza]] recited by the Shi'as. | Fearful of increasing Kufan supports of Imam Hussain, [[Yazid]] appointed [[Obayd-Allah Ibn Ziad]] as the new governor of Kufa to frighten people and force them to leave Muslim. Finally, Muslim was arrested and executed in the day of ‘Arafa. The story of Muslim being left alone and his [[martyrdom]] in Kufa is a recurring theme of [[Rawza]] recited by the Shi'as. | ||
==Birth and Life Events== | == Birth and Life Events == | ||
There are unusually large discrepancies in the sources as regards his date of birth: the difference between the extreme figures is more than 30 years. According to one report, he fought in Safar 37/July 657 in the right wing (maymana) of [[ʿAli ibn Abi Talib|Ali]]’s army at the battle of [https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Siffin Siffin], together with his cousins [[Hasan]], [[Hussain ibn Ali|Hussain]] and Abd Allah b. Jaʿfar.<ref>Ibn Aʿtham al-Kufi, K. al-Futuh, Haydarabad 1388-95/1968-75, iii, 32; Ibn Shahrashub, Manaqib, ii, 352.</ref> The report implies that Muslim was born no later than the early 20s/640s. An even earlier date is suggested by an account that during Omar’s reign Muslim, took part in the conquest of al-Bahnasa [q.v.]<ref>Ps.-Waqidi, Futuh al-Sham , Cairo 1354, ii, 136, 146, 153, 159, 160, 169, 181, 184, 185, 190.</ref>, in the course of which two of his brothers, Jaʿfar and Ali, were killed.<ref>ibid., ii, 177.</ref> He is said to have been appointed as the first Muslim governor of the town, and to have retained this position until Othman’s caliphate, when he returned to Medina, leaving his brothers and sons behind.<ref>ibid., ii, 193.</ref> Other accounts, in contrast, point to a date of birth in the late 30s/650s: according to these accounts, Muslim’s mother, an umm walad of Nabataean origin<ref>cf. Muhammad b. Habib, al-Munammaq , 505.</ref> whose name is variously given as Ulayya, Khalila and Hilya, was bought by Aqil in Syria, with the help of [[Muʿawiya]]. This purchase probably took place after Ali’s assumption of the caliphate (in Dhu ’l-Hijja 35/June 656), which is the time usually given as the beginning of Aqil’s friendship with the Umayyad ruler. | There are unusually large discrepancies in the sources as regards his date of birth: the difference between the extreme figures is more than 30 years. According to one report, he fought in Safar 37/July 657 in the right wing (maymana) of [[ʿAli ibn Abi Talib|Ali]]’s army at the battle of [https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Siffin Siffin], together with his cousins [[Hasan]], [[Hussain ibn Ali|Hussain]] and Abd Allah b. Jaʿfar.<ref>Ibn Aʿtham al-Kufi, K. al-Futuh, Haydarabad 1388-95/1968-75, iii, 32; Ibn Shahrashub, Manaqib, ii, 352.</ref> The report implies that Muslim was born no later than the early 20s/640s. An even earlier date is suggested by an account that during Omar’s reign Muslim, took part in the conquest of al-Bahnasa [q.v.]<ref>Ps.-Waqidi, Futuh al-Sham , Cairo 1354, ii, 136, 146, 153, 159, 160, 169, 181, 184, 185, 190.</ref>, in the course of which two of his brothers, Jaʿfar and Ali, were killed.<ref>ibid., ii, 177.</ref> He is said to have been appointed as the first Muslim governor of the town, and to have retained this position until Othman’s caliphate, when he returned to Medina, leaving his brothers and sons behind.<ref>ibid., ii, 193.</ref> Other accounts, in contrast, point to a date of birth in the late 30s/650s: according to these accounts, Muslim’s mother, an umm walad of Nabataean origin<ref>cf. Muhammad b. Habib, al-Munammaq , 505.</ref> whose name is variously given as Ulayya, Khalila and Hilya, was bought by Aqil in Syria, with the help of [[Muʿawiya]]. This purchase probably took place after Ali’s assumption of the caliphate (in Dhu ’l-Hijja 35/June 656), which is the time usually given as the beginning of Aqil’s friendship with the Umayyad ruler. | ||
==Departure to Kufa== | == Departure to Kufa== | ||
Muslim came into prominence, when he was sent to Kufa as Imam Hussain’s personal representative. His task was to measure the extent of Kufan support for the Prophet’s grandson. He set off from Mecca on 15 Ramaḍan 60/19 June 680 in the company of a number of Kufans who had come to al-Hussain with messages of support. His first destination was Medina, where he took leave of his family and hired the services of two Qaysis to guide him on his way. The guides lost their way in the desert and were too weakened by thirst to be able to proceed; they just managed to show Muslim the right direction before they both (or one of them) died. Muslim saw in this a bad omen, and wrote al-Hussain from al-Madiq asking to be relieved of his mission. Al-Hussain | Muslim came into prominence, when he was sent to Kufa as Imam Hussain’s personal representative. His task was to measure the extent of Kufan support for the Prophet’s grandson. He set off from Mecca on 15 Ramaḍan 60/19 June 680 in the company of a number of Kufans who had come to al-Hussain with messages of support. His first destination was Medina, where he took leave of his family and hired the services of two Qaysis to guide him on his way. The guides lost their way in the desert and were too weakened by thirst to be able to proceed; they just managed to show Muslim the right direction before they both (or one of them) died. Muslim saw in this a bad omen, and wrote to al-Hussain from al-Madiq asking to be relieved of his mission. Al-Hussain did not approve of this request and ordered him to continue. | ||
==In Kufa== | == In Kufa== | ||
On 5 Shawwal 60/9 July 680 Muslim reached Kufa. According to most sources, he went first to the house of [[al-Mukhtar b. Abi ʿUbayd al-Thaqafi|al-Mukhtar b. Abi Ubayd al-Thaqafi]] [q.v.], later known as Dar Salim (or Salm or Muslim) b. al-Musayyab.<ref>cf. Muhsin al-Amin, Aʿyan al-Shiʿa , xxxiii, Beirut 1369/1950, 402.</ref> Other accounts<ref>e.g. Muhammad al-Baqir, as reported in al-Tabari, ii, 228.</ref> maintain that Muslim proceeded first to the house of [[Muslim b. Awsaja al-Asadi]]. | On 5 Shawwal 60/9 July 680 Muslim reached Kufa. According to most sources, he went first to the house of [[al-Mukhtar b. Abi ʿUbayd al-Thaqafi|al-Mukhtar b. Abi Ubayd al-Thaqafi]] [q.v.], later known as Dar Salim (or Salm or Muslim) b. al-Musayyab.<ref>cf. Muhsin al-Amin, Aʿyan al-Shiʿa , xxxiii, Beirut 1369/1950, 402.</ref> Other accounts<ref>e.g. Muhammad al-Baqir, as reported in al-Tabari, ii, 228.</ref> maintain that Muslim proceeded first to the house of [[Muslim b. Awsaja al-Asadi]]. | ||
==The Kufan’s Pledge of Allegiance== | ==The Kufan’s Pledge of Allegiance== | ||
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==Obayd Allah b. Ziad as the New Governor of Kufa== | ==Obayd Allah b. Ziad as the New Governor of Kufa== | ||
When Muslim heard of Obayd Allah’s arrival, he left the house in which he was staying and, under cover of darkness, went to the home of [[Haniʾ b. ʿUrwa al-Muradi|Haniʾ b. Urwa al-Muradi]] [q.v.] Haniʾ, aware that Muslim was a wanted man, was at first reluctant to admit him yet subsequently treated him with all due hospitality. During his stay there, Muslim missed an opportunity to kill Obayd Allah. According to one version, Haniʾ was behind the plot; he feigned sickness, knowing that Obayd Allah would come to visit him, thus providing Muslim with a chance to strike. But at the crucial moment Muslim’s nerves failed him, and Obayd Allah left unscathed.<ref>Ibn ʿAbd Rabbihi, ʿIqd , iv, 378; al-Bayhaqi, Mahasin , 60.</ref> A second version, more complimentary to Muslim, attributes the plot to Sharik b. al-Aʿwar al-Harithi, an ardent supporter of Ali who none the less enjoyed Obayd Allah’s confidence and had arrived with him from Basra. Sharik, who had been taken ill, also stayed at Haniʾ’s home, and his plan similarly called for Muslim to kill Obayd Allah when the governor came to pay him a sick call. Ubayd Allah came, but Muslim remained in the closet in which he was hiding. The reasons given by Muslim for his inaction are said to have been opposition by Haniʾ (or by one of his wives), as well as a Prophetic tradition forbidding the slaying without prior warning of someone who has been given an assurance of safety.<ref>cf. Lane, Lexicon , s.v. f-t-k.</ref> Sharik, who had hoped to deliver Basra to Muslim, died of his illness three days later. | When Muslim heard of Obayd Allah’s arrival, he left the house in which he was staying and, under cover of darkness, went to the home of [[Haniʾ b. ʿUrwa al-Muradi|Haniʾ b. Urwa al-Muradi]] [q.v.] Haniʾ, aware that Muslim was a wanted man, was at first reluctant to admit him yet subsequently treated him with all due hospitality. During his stay there, Muslim missed an opportunity to kill Obayd Allah. According to one version, Haniʾ was behind the plot; he feigned sickness, knowing that Obayd Allah would come to visit him, thus providing Muslim with a chance to strike. But at the crucial moment Muslim’s nerves failed him, and Obayd Allah left unscathed.<ref>Ibn ʿAbd Rabbihi, ʿIqd , iv, 378; al-Bayhaqi, Mahasin , 60.</ref> A second version, more complimentary to Muslim, attributes the plot to Sharik b. al-Aʿwar al-Harithi, an ardent supporter of Ali who none the less enjoyed Obayd Allah’s confidence and had arrived with him from Basra. Sharik, who had been taken ill, also stayed at Haniʾ’s home, and his plan similarly called for Muslim to kill Obayd Allah when the governor came to pay him a sick call. Ubayd Allah came, but Muslim remained in the closet in which he was hiding. The reasons given by Muslim for his inaction are said to have been opposition by Haniʾ (or by one of his wives), as well as a Prophetic tradition forbidding the slaying without prior warning of someone who has been given an assurance of safety.<ref>cf. Lane, Lexicon , s.v. f-t-k.</ref> Sharik, who had hoped to deliver Basra to Muslim, died of his illness three days later. | ||
==Searching for Muslim== | == Searching for Muslim== | ||
Meanwhile, Obayd Allah was making strenuous efforts to discover Muslim’s hideout. He dispatched a mawla of his (called Maʿqil in some sources) with orders to ingratiate himself with al-Hussain’s followers by swearing allegiance to al-Hussain and by donating 3,000 dirhams for the cause. The mawla succeeded in infiltrating the inner circle of followers, finally gaining access to Muslim himself. When he found out where Muslim was staying, Obayd Allah summoned Haniʾ, forced him to admit that he was harboring Muslim, and beat him on the face with an iron-tipped cane. One version has it that Haniʾ died on the spot from these blows. According to more widespread reports, he was badly wounded and then incarcerated in Obayd Allah’s fortress; Haniʾ’s clansmen thought that he had been killed, and the qadi Shurayh was sent to allay their fears. | Meanwhile, Obayd Allah was making strenuous efforts to discover Muslim’s hideout. He dispatched a mawla of his (called Maʿqil in some sources) with orders to ingratiate himself with al-Hussain’s followers by swearing allegiance to al-Hussain and by donating 3,000 dirhams for the cause. The mawla succeeded in infiltrating the inner circle of followers, finally gaining access to Muslim himself. When he found out where Muslim was staying, Obayd Allah summoned Haniʾ, forced him to admit that he was harboring Muslim, and beat him on the face with an iron-tipped cane. One version has it that Haniʾ died on the spot from these blows. According to more widespread reports, he was badly wounded and then incarcerated in Obayd Allah’s fortress; Haniʾ’s clansmen thought that he had been killed, and the qadi Shurayh was sent to allay their fears. | ||
==Muslim’s Uprising== | ==Muslim’s Uprising == | ||
When news of Haniʾ’s arrest reached Muslim, he decided to tarry no longer and to revolt openly. The uprising is dated to 2, 7, 8 or 9 Dhu ’l-Hijja 60/3, 8, 9 or 10 Sept. 680. Muslim is said to have initially disposed of 4,000 men (other numbers are also given); he arranged them in military formation and, placing himself at their head, marched on the governor’s fortress, where Obayd Allah had locked himself with a small band of sympathizers. Although Obayd Allah’s situation seemed desperate, he managed, by a combination of threats and blandishments, to induce many tribal leaders to abandon Muslim. | When news of Haniʾ’s arrest reached Muslim, he decided to tarry no longer and to revolt openly. The uprising is dated to 2, 7, 8 or 9 Dhu ’l-Hijja 60/3, 8, 9 or 10 Sept. 680. Muslim is said to have initially disposed of 4,000 men (other numbers are also given); he arranged them in military formation and, placing himself at their head, marched on the governor’s fortress, where Obayd Allah had locked himself with a small band of sympathizers. Although Obayd Allah’s situation seemed desperate, he managed, by a combination of threats and blandishments, to induce many tribal leaders to abandon Muslim. | ||
==Muslim at the House of Tawʿa== | == Muslim at the House of Tawʿa== | ||
By nightfall Muslim was left with only 30 men, and these too soon disappeared. He wandered despondently in the alleys of Kufa, until he finally found refuge with a woman from Kinda called Tawʿa, whose son Bilal was a mawla of Muhammad b. al-Ashʿath [q.v.]. When Bilal discovered the identity of his mother’s guest, he waited until morning and then notified Ibn al-Ashʿath, who in turn informed Ubayd Allah. Another version has it that the person whom Bilal informed (and who passed on the information) was Ibn al-Ashʿath’s son Abd al-Rahman.<ref>This is one of several deeds for which ʿAbd al-Raḥman earned the title of “the most perfidious of the Arabs”; see Ibn Habib, al- Muhabbar , 244-6.</ref> | By nightfall Muslim was left with only 30 men, and these too soon disappeared. He wandered despondently in the alleys of Kufa, until he finally found refuge with a woman from Kinda called Tawʿa, whose son Bilal was a mawla of Muhammad b. al-Ashʿath [q.v.]. When Bilal discovered the identity of his mother’s guest, he waited until morning and then notified Ibn al-Ashʿath, who in turn informed Ubayd Allah. Another version has it that the person whom Bilal informed (and who passed on the information) was Ibn al-Ashʿath’s son Abd al-Rahman.<ref>This is one of several deeds for which ʿAbd al-Raḥman earned the title of “the most perfidious of the Arabs”; see Ibn Habib, al- Muhabbar , 244-6.</ref> | ||
==Muslim’s Arrest and Martyrdom== | ==Muslim’s Arrest and Martyrdom == | ||
Obayd Allah sent Ibn al-Ashʿath (or his son Abd al-Rahman) at the head of 60 (or 70) men to Tawʿa’s house. Muslim, realizing that he was surrounded, came out with his sword in hand and, true to his reputation as a fierce warrior, chased off his attackers, inflicting serious losses on them.<ref>One fanciful report has him kill 41 of them; cf. Ibn Shahrashub, Manaqib, iii, 244.</ref> His attackers responded by pelting him from the roof-top of Tawʿa’s house with stones and burning missiles. At this point Ibn al-Ashʿath gave him a guarantee of safety ([[aman]]) and Muslim, wounded and exhausted, gave himself up. Another version has it that Muslim did not trust Ibn al-Ashʿath’s aman and continued fighting until he was finally overcome. According to some accounts, Ibn al-Ashʿath was sincere in his offer but was overruled by Ubayd Allah. Other reports maintain that Ibn al-Ashʿath acted in concert with the governor, and never meant to honor his pledge. | Obayd Allah sent Ibn al-Ashʿath (or his son Abd al-Rahman) at the head of 60 (or 70) men to Tawʿa’s house. Muslim, realizing that he was surrounded, came out with his sword in hand and, true to his reputation as a fierce warrior, chased off his attackers, inflicting serious losses on them.<ref>One fanciful report has him kill 41 of them; cf. Ibn Shahrashub, Manaqib, iii, 244.</ref> His attackers responded by pelting him from the roof-top of Tawʿa’s house with stones and burning missiles. At this point Ibn al-Ashʿath gave him a guarantee of safety ([[aman]]) and Muslim, wounded and exhausted, gave himself up. Another version has it that Muslim did not trust Ibn al-Ashʿath’s aman and continued fighting until he was finally overcome. According to some accounts, Ibn al-Ashʿath was sincere in his offer but was overruled by Ubayd Allah. Other reports maintain that Ibn al-Ashʿath acted in concert with the governor, and never meant to honor his pledge. | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist|30em}} | {{reflist|30em}} | ||
==Bibliography== | ==Bibliography == | ||
*Ibn Saʿd, Ṭabaḳāt, ed. Beirut, iv, 42, ed. Turāt̲h̲unā, iii/1 (1408), 173-7, 185 | *Ibn Saʿd, Ṭabaḳāt, ed. Beirut, iv, 42, ed. Turāt̲h̲unā, iii/1 (1408), 173-7, 185 | ||
*Muṣʿab b. Abd Allah al-Zubayrī, K. Nasab Ḳurays̲h̲, ed. E. Lévi-Provençal, Cairo 1953, 84 | * Muṣʿab b. Abd Allah al-Zubayrī, K. Nasab Ḳurays̲h̲, ed. E. Lévi-Provençal, Cairo 1953, 84 | ||
*K̲h̲alīfa b. K̲h̲ayyāṭ, Taʾrīk̲h̲, Nad̲j̲af 1386/1967, 221, 225 | *K̲h̲alīfa b. K̲h̲ayyāṭ, Taʾrīk̲h̲, Nad̲j̲af 1386/1967, 221, 225 | ||
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*Ibn al-At̲h̲īr, al-Kāmil, iv, Beirut 1385/1965, 21-2, 25-36, 42-3 | *Ibn al-At̲h̲īr, al-Kāmil, iv, Beirut 1385/1965, 21-2, 25-36, 42-3 | ||
*Ibn Namā al-Ḥillī, Mut̲h̲īr al-aḥzān, Nad̲j̲af 1369/1950, 16, 20-26, 32, 50 | * Ibn Namā al-Ḥillī, Mut̲h̲īr al-aḥzān, Nad̲j̲af 1369/1950, 16, 20-26, 32, 50 | ||
*Ibn Ṭāwūs, Miṣbāḥ al-zāʾir, ms. Marʿas̲h̲ī, 69-72 idem, al-Luhūf ʿalā ḳatlā ’l-Ṭufūf, Tehran 1348 S̲h̲, 26, 36-8, 45-60, 73-5, 91 | *Ibn Ṭāwūs, Miṣbāḥ al-zāʾir, ms. Marʿas̲h̲ī, 69-72 idem, al-Luhūf ʿalā ḳatlā ’l-Ṭufūf, Tehran 1348 S̲h̲, 26, 36-8, 45-60, 73-5, 91 | ||
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*Ibn al-Ṭiḳṭaḳā, al-Fak̲h̲rī, ed. H. Derenbourg, Paris 1895, 159-60 | *Ibn al-Ṭiḳṭaḳā, al-Fak̲h̲rī, ed. H. Derenbourg, Paris 1895, 159-60 | ||
*Nuwayrī, Nihāyat al-arab, xx, Cairo 1395/1975, 387-8, 391-405, 413-5, 462, xxi, Cairo 1396/1976, 7 | * Nuwayrī, Nihāyat al-arab, xx, Cairo 1395/1975, 387-8, 391-405, 413-5, 462, xxi, Cairo 1396/1976, 7 | ||
*D̲h̲ahabī, Taʾrīk̲h̲ al-Islām, ii, Cairo 1368, 316 idem, Siyar aʿlām al-nubalāʾ, iii, Cairo 1962, 206-8, 217 | *D̲h̲ahabī, Taʾrīk̲h̲ al-Islām, ii, Cairo 1368, 316 idem, Siyar aʿlām al-nubalāʾ, iii, Cairo 1962, 206-8, 217 | ||
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*D̲j̲aʿfar al-Tustarī, al-K̲h̲aṣāʾiṣ al-ḥusayniyya, Nad̲j̲af 1375/1956, 124-5 | *D̲j̲aʿfar al-Tustarī, al-K̲h̲aṣāʾiṣ al-ḥusayniyya, Nad̲j̲af 1375/1956, 124-5 | ||
*L, Pelly, The Miracle play of Ḥasan and Ḥusayn, i, London 1879, 171-206 | * L, Pelly, The Miracle play of Ḥasan and Ḥusayn, i, London 1879, 171-206 | ||
*F. Wüstenfeld, Der Tod des Ḥusein ben Alī, Göttingen 1883, 24-6, 30-46 | *F. Wüstenfeld, Der Tod des Ḥusein ben Alī, Göttingen 1883, 24-6, 30-46 | ||
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*Mahmoud Ayoub, Redemptive suffering in Islām, The Hague 1978, 99-102 and index | *Mahmoud Ayoub, Redemptive suffering in Islām, The Hague 1978, 99-102 and index | ||
*S.H.M. Jafri, The origins and early development of Shiʿa Islam, London and New York 1979, index | *S.H.M. Jafri, The origins and early development of Shiʿa Islam, London and New York 1979, index | ||
*Ibrāhīm al-Mūsawī al-Zand̲j̲ānī, D̲j̲awla fi ’l-amākin al-muḳaddasa, Beirut 1405/1985, 203-7 | * Ibrāhīm al-Mūsawī al-Zand̲j̲ānī, D̲j̲awla fi ’l-amākin al-muḳaddasa, Beirut 1405/1985, 203-7 | ||
*R. Milstein, Miniature painting in Ottoman Baghdad, Costa Mesa 1990, 25-7, 101-6. | *R. Milstein, Miniature painting in Ottoman Baghdad, Costa Mesa 1990, 25-7, 101-6. | ||