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Yazid: Difference between revisions
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Yazid’s caliphate marked the beginning of the crisis, commonly referred to as fitna, during which the Umayyads came close to losing the caliphate. Eventually they re-established their hold on the institution but in the person of [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marwan-I-ibn-al-Hakam Marwan I b. al-Hakam] and his descendants rather than a representative of the Sufyanid branch of the family, to which Yazid belonged. Following his father’s death in Radjab 60/April 680, Yazid was faced with the continuing refusal of [[Hussain ibn Ali|Hussain b. ʿAli]] and [https://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/encyclopaedia-of-islam-2/abd-allah-b-al-zubayr-SIM_0069 ʿAbd Allah b. al-Zubayr], both then in Medina, to give him allegiance. Most of the reports about his caliphate concern his attempts to overcome their opposition and that of others. | Yazid’s caliphate marked the beginning of the crisis, commonly referred to as fitna, during which the Umayyads came close to losing the caliphate. Eventually they re-established their hold on the institution but in the person of [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marwan-I-ibn-al-Hakam Marwan I b. al-Hakam] and his descendants rather than a representative of the Sufyanid branch of the family, to which Yazid belonged. Following his father’s death in Radjab 60/April 680, Yazid was faced with the continuing refusal of [[Hussain ibn Ali|Hussain b. ʿAli]] and [https://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/encyclopaedia-of-islam-2/abd-allah-b-al-zubayr-SIM_0069 ʿAbd Allah b. al-Zubayr], both then in Medina, to give him allegiance. Most of the reports about his caliphate concern his attempts to overcome their opposition and that of others. | ||
==Battle of Karbala== | ==Battle of Karbala== | ||
After [[Ali]]'s assassination in 661, Hussain's older brother, [[Hasan]], became caliph and second [[imam]]. Hasan soon abdicated, however, in favor of Mu’awiya, a powerful clan leader and political rival who established the Umayyad caliphate. While Hussain reluctantly recognized Mu’awiya's rule, he refused to pledge allegiance to him. When Mu’awiya died in 680, the caliphate passed to Yazid, Mu’awiya's son and chosen successor. Hussain refused to recognize the legitimacy of Yazid's rule and again withheld his allegiance to the Umayyads. Yazid, however, threatened to kill anyone not loyal to him, prompting Hussain to flee to Mecca seeking sanctuary. | After [[ʿAli ibn Abi Talib|Ali]]'s assassination in 661, Hussain's older brother, [[Hasan]], became caliph and second [[imam]]. Hasan soon abdicated, however, in favor of Mu’awiya, a powerful clan leader and political rival who established the Umayyad caliphate. While Hussain reluctantly recognized Mu’awiya's rule, he refused to pledge allegiance to him. When Mu’awiya died in 680, the caliphate passed to Yazid, Mu’awiya's son and chosen successor. Hussain refused to recognize the legitimacy of Yazid's rule and again withheld his allegiance to the Umayyads. Yazid, however, threatened to kill anyone not loyal to him, prompting Hussain to flee to Mecca seeking sanctuary. | ||
Shi'i Muslims in [[Kufa]], a city in Iraq, asked Hussain to lead them in a revolt against Yazid and to claim his rightful position as caliph. Hussain's cousin, [[Muslim ibn Aqil]], verified that he had strong support in Iraq. Hussain then set out for Kufa with family members and followers. The governor of Iraq, a supporter of Yazid, sent 4,000 men to intercept the caravan. At [[Karbala]], this force trapped Hussain's small band, which numbered less than 100. He refused to surrender, however, and led his men out into battle, where they were massacred. The Iraqi governor displayed the heads of Hussain and his followers in Kufa as a warning to other Umayyad enemies. Hussain's head then was taken on a stick to Yazid. As the governor, Ibn Ziyad, poked the head, one onlooker cried, “Gently! it is the prophet's grandson. By the Lord! I have seen these very lips kissed by the blessed mouth of Muhammad” (Muir: 311). | Shi'i Muslims in [[Kufa]], a city in Iraq, asked Hussain to lead them in a revolt against Yazid and to claim his rightful position as caliph. Hussain's cousin, [[Muslim ibn Aqil]], verified that he had strong support in Iraq. Hussain then set out for Kufa with family members and followers. The governor of Iraq, a supporter of Yazid, sent 4,000 men to intercept the caravan. At [[Karbala]], this force trapped Hussain's small band, which numbered less than 100. He refused to surrender, however, and led his men out into battle, where they were massacred. The Iraqi governor displayed the heads of Hussain and his followers in Kufa as a warning to other Umayyad enemies. Hussain's head then was taken on a stick to Yazid. As the governor, Ibn Ziyad, poked the head, one onlooker cried, “Gently! it is the prophet's grandson. By the Lord! I have seen these very lips kissed by the blessed mouth of Muhammad” (Muir: 311). | ||