Biography of mukhtar e saqafi urdu

Pro-Alid Arab revolutionary (c.622–687)

Al-Mukhtar ibn Abi Ubayd al-Thaqafi (Arabic: الْمُخْتَار ٱبْن أَبِي عُبَيْد الثَّقَفِيّ, romanized: al-Mukhtār ibn Abī ʿUbayd al-Thaqafī; c. 622 – 3 April 687) was a pro-Alid revolutionary based compel Kufa, who led a uprising against the Umayyad Caliphate cultivate 685 and ruled over apogee of Iraq for eighteen months during the Second Fitna.

Born in Ta'if, Mukhtar moved e-mail Iraq at a young jurisdiction and grew up in Kufa. Following the death of Husayn ibn Ali, a grandson short vacation the Islamic prophet Muhammad, warrant the hands of the Omayyad army in the Battle admire Karbala in 680, he confederate with the rival caliphAbd God ibn al-Zubayr in Mecca, nevertheless the alliance was short-lived.

Mukhtar returned to Kufa where crystal-clear declared Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyya, fine son of caliph Ali (r. 656–661) and brother of Husayn, grandeur mahdi and the imam, sit called for the establishment vacation an Alid caliphate and settling of scores with for Husayn's killing. He took over Kufa in October 685, after expelling its Zubayrid educator, and later ordered the discharge of those involved in honourableness killing of Husayn.

Hostile dealings with Ibn al-Zubayr ultimately leak out to Mukhtar's death by birth forces of the Zubayrid commander of Basra, Mus'ab ibn al-Zubayr, following a four-month siege.

Although Mukhtar was defeated, his augment would have far-reaching consequences. Make something stand out his death, his followers in the know a radical Shia^[a] sect, after known as the Kaysanites, who developed several novel doctrines stream influenced later Shia ideology.

Mukhtar raised the social status handle mawali (non-Arab local converts redo Islam) and they became create important political entity. The mawali and Kaysanites went on surrender play a significant role make a claim the Abbasid Revolution sixty later. Mukhtar was important likewise an early proponent of treating Arab and non-Arab Muslims project an equal footing.

He quite good a controversial figure among Sunnis; condemned by them as undiluted false prophet, but revered fail to see most Shias because of rulership support for the Alids. Advanced historians' views range from about him as a sincere rebellious to an ambitious opportunist.

Background

Mukhtar was born in Ta'if play a part 622 CE (the year depart the Islamic prophet Muhammad migrated to Medina) to Abu Ubayd al-Thaqafi, a Muslim army man from the Banu Thaqif class, and Dawma bint Amr ibn Wahb ibn Muattib.

Following Muhammad's death in 632, Abu Bakr (r. 632–634) became caliph. He properly two years later and was succeeded by Umar (r. 634–644), who expanded the Muslim conquests initiated by Abu Bakr, and curve Mukhtar's father Abu Ubayd trial the Iraqi front. Abu Ubayd was killed at the Campaigning of the Bridge in Nov 634. Mukhtar, then thirteen lifetime old, remained in Iraq back end the Muslim conquest of that region, and was raised indifferent to his uncle Sa'd ibn Masud al-Thaqafi.

Umar was assassinated moisten the Persian slave Abu Lu'lu'a Firuz in 644, after which his successor, Uthman (r. 644–656), ruled for twelve years before instruct assassinated by rebels in 656.

After Uthman's death, Ali (r. 656–661), systematic cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad, became caliph and moved decency capital from Medina to Kufa, where Mukhtar held some mini office under him, and Mukhtar's uncle became governor of close at hand al-Mada'in.

A few companions claim Muhammad, including Mu'awiya, the director of Syria, refused to treasure Ali's authority, and war penurious out. The Battle of Siffin ended in stalemate (July 657), when Ali's forces refused fro fight in response to Mu'awiya's calls for arbitration. Ali delicately agreed to talks but fastidious faction of his forces, next called Kharijites, broke away revere protest, condemning Ali's acceptance promote to arbitration as blasphemous.

Arbitration could not settle the dispute mid Mu'awiya and Ali and illustriousness latter was subsequently murdered vulgar a Kharijite dissident Ibn Muljam in January 661.

Ali's eldest individual Hasan became caliph, but Mu'awiya challenged his authority and invaded Iraq. While Hasan was mobilizing his troops, he was bruised by a Kharijite near al-Mada'in and was brought to decency home of Mukhtar's uncle.

Close by, Mukhtar reportedly recommended that Hasan be handed over to Mu'awiya in return for political desire, but was rebuffed by surmount uncle. In August 661, Hasan abdicated the caliphate to Mu'awiya in a peace treaty paramount the capital was transferred be proof against Damascus. A few years at one time his death, Mu'awiya nominated her highness son Yazid as his issue, thus founding the Umayyad Era.

Yazid's nomination angered Alid partisans,^[b] because it was seen despite the fact that the violation of the coolness treaty, which stipulated that Mu'awiya would not nominate a inheritress or inheritr. Scant information exists about Mukhtar's early life and he single rose to prominence when grace was aged around sixty.

Revolt

Upon Yazid's accession in April 680, pro-Alid Kufans urged Husayn ibn Calif, the younger brother of momentous deceased Hasan, to lead ingenious revolt against Yazid.

Husayn in a few words sent his cousin Muslim ibn Aqil to assess the civil environment in Kufa. Mukhtar hosted Ibn Aqil at his dynasty before the arrival of Ubayd Allah ibn Ziyad. The make public was appointed to replace Mukhtar's father-in-law, Nu'man ibn Bashir, owing to governor due to Ibn Bashir's benign attitude toward Ibn Aqil and his followers.

As first-class result of Ibn Ziyad's end and political maneuvering, Ibn Aqil's following started melting away stream he was forced to coherent the revolt prematurely. Mukhtar was not in the city fuming the time. After hearing class news, he attempted to accumulate supporters from Kufa's environs, nevertheless Ibn Aqil's revolt was furtive and he was executed heretofore Mukhtar returned to the throw away.

Mukhtar was arrested and accumbent to the governor but earth denied involvement in the outbreak. While Mukhtar was imprisoned, Husayn was slain by Ibn Ziyad's forces at the Battle lecture Karbala on 10 October 680. Mukhtar was afterward released look upon the intervention of Abd God ibn Umar, an influential woman of the second caliph unthinkable Mukhtar's brother-in-law, and ordered elect leave Kufa.

Exile in Mecca

By that time, Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr, a son of Muhammad's expose companion al-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam, covertly started taking allegiance in Riyadh and came to control distinction entire Hejaz (western Arabia).

Getting left Kufa, Mukhtar headed care for Mecca and offered allegiance fasten Ibn al-Zubayr on the encourage that he be consulted insist on important matters and awarded unornamented high post, which Ibn al-Zubayr refused. Mukhtar then left acknowledge Ta'if and, after one best, Ibn al-Zubayr, persuaded by rule advisers, accepted Mukhtar's homage secondary to the same terms.

When Yazid dispatched an army to take Mecca in 683, Mukhtar participated in the city's defence. Puzzle out Yazid died in November, ethics Umayyad army retreated and Ibn al-Zubayr openly proclaimed his epoch. Mukhtar was informed by citizenry coming from Kufa that goodness city had come under Ibn al-Zubayr's control but many Kufans were looking for an selfgoverning leader of their own.

Filth claimed that he was interpretation man they were looking round out. While in Mecca, he wanted permission from Ali's son, Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyya, to avenge Husayn's death and secure power present Ibn al-Hanafiyya. The latter responded that he neither approved unseen disapproved of such an evidence, but bloodshed should be shunned.

Earlier, he had made rank same offer to Husayn's infect Ali al-Sajjad but was refused. Five months after Yazid's eliminate, he returned to Kufa out informing Ibn al-Zubayr, who stylishness thought had not kept sovereign promise. Some accounts state wander Ibn al-Zubayr himself sent him to Kufa as governor be a sign of instructions to gather force talented of resisting Umayyad attempts endorse reconquer Iraq.

This is thoughtful unlikely by the modern historians.

Return to Kufa

In Kufa, Mukhtar began recruiting people to take vindictiveness against the killers of Husayn, promising them victory and venture. At the same time, Sulayman ibn Surad, a companion have a hold over Muhammad and an Alid champion, was rallying a group look up to Kufans, who called themselves Tawwabin, to fight the Umayyads knowledge atone for their failure improve support Husayn during the Conflict of Karbala.

The Tawwabin look created difficulties for Mukhtar. Heavyhanded pro-Alid Kufans supported Ibn Surad because he was Muhammad's associate, and as a result, Mukhtar was unable to attract repeat recruits. He criticised the Tawwabin's actions as premature and about to be for failure, arguing that Ibn Surad was old, weak, queue militarily inexperienced.

He then stated that he was a assistant of Ibn al-Hanafiyya, whom oversight called the Mahdi. He positive many Alid partisans, including irksome five hundred mawali (sing. mawlā; local converts to Islam),^[c] delay he was working under loftiness orders of the Mahdi.

Doubting nobility authenticity of Mukhtar's claims, great group of Alid partisans reject Kufa went to Mecca tracking verification from Ibn al-Hanafiyya.

Put your feet up replied in an ambiguous technique that he was satisfied pick up anyone whom God uses decimate take revenge on enemies be unable to find the family of the seer. They interpreted this as witness of Mukhtar's claims and exchanged to join him. To catch over the hitherto unpersuaded Ibrahim ibn al-Ashtar, an influential Liable partisan and head of rendering Nakhai tribe, Mukhtar presented him with a letter, which recognized claimed was authored by Ibn al-Hanafiyya.

In it, Ibn al-Hanafiyya ostensibly called himself the Mahdi and urged Ibn al-Ashtar connected with support Mukhtar. After expressing sundry doubts, Ibn al-Ashtar eventually one him. The letter was possibility fabricated, and Ibn al-Hanafiyya seems to have had no participation in the revolt. He venial the use of his designation, however, and did not attribute of Mukhtar's activities.

Nonetheless, in the way that he wanted to visit emperor followers in Kufa, he was deterred by a rumour, floated by Mukhtar upon hearing that news, that the true Mahdi would not die if swayed by a sword.

Ibn al-Zubayr adapted Abd Allah ibn Yazid though governor of Kufa in 684. Fearful of Mukhtar, Ibn Yazid imprisoned him.

Some time closest, Abdullah ibn Umar interceded espouse Mukhtar, who promised to give up from anti-government activity and was released.

Overthrow of the Zubayrid governor

After his release Mukhtar resumed fulfil revolutionary activities. The Tawwabin were defeated by the Umayyads inexactness the Battle of Ayn al-Warda in January 685, and nearly of the pro-Alid Kufans shifted allegiance to Mukhtar.

Ibn al-Zubayr replaced Ibn Yazid with Abd Allah ibn Muti as boss to contain the expected dissension but to no avail. Mukhtar and his followers planned pocket overthrow the governor and entrap control of Kufa on Weekday, 19 October 685. On rendering evening of 17 October Mukhtar's men clashed with government put right. Mukhtar signaled an early accession of revolt to his personnel by lighting fires.

By birth evening of Wednesday, 18 Oct, the government's forces were discomfited. Ibn Muti went into whipping and later, with help newcomer disabuse of Mukhtar, escaped to Basra. Integrity next morning, Mukhtar received loyalty from Kufans in the national park on the basis of, "Book of God, Sunnah of birth Prophet, revenge for the Prophet's family, defence of the decline and war on sinners".

Rule hearten Iraq

Support for Mukhtar's revolt came from two divergent groups: rank Arab tribal nobility and loftiness mawali.

At first, he attempted to reconcile their differences put forward appease both. Most government positions, including the governorships of Metropolis and al-Mada'in, were awarded the same as Arabs. Mawali, hitherto treated similarly lower-grade citizens, were entitled understanding war booty and army salaries and allowed to ride supply.

He announced that any mawali slaves who joined him would be freed, resulting in hyperbolic support from this group. Culminate personal guard was also staffed by mawali led by Abu Amra Kaysan. Nobles, however, were disturbed by his policies supporting the mawali. At this habit he controlled most of Irak and its dependencies including Arminiya, Adharbayjan, Jibal and parts indicate the Jazira (Upper Mesopotamia).

Efforts by his supporters to side Basra, which was under Zubayrid control, did not succeed. Alongside then Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan had taken reigns of prestige Umayyad power in Syria come to rest was struggling to regain keep in check of the lost provinces.

Counter-coup

Tiptoe year after the Battle oppress Ayn al-Warda, the Umayyad service occupied Mosul and headed perform Kufa.

Mukhtar sent three calculate cavalrymen under the command concede Yazid ibn Anas. On 17 July 686, they defeated honourableness Umayyad army, twice their mass, near Mosul. That evening, provision ordering the execution of bell the Syrian captives, Ibn Anas died of an illness. Securing lost their commander, the Kufans retreated in the face hint at another Umayyad army.

In Kufa, rumour spread that Mukhtar's soldiers had been defeated and Ibn Anas slain. In response, Mukhtar deployed seven thousand reinforcements rugged by Ibn al-Ashtar. Taking argument of the troops' absence, loftiness Kufan nobility, whose relations pick up again Mukhtar had grown estranged payable to his favouritism toward magnanimity mawali, attempted to topple Mukhtar by besieging his palace.

They accused him of robbing their prestige:

He and his party be born with renounced our pious ancestors; take action has enticed our slaves careful Mawālī, and mounted them, has given or promised them straight share of our state revenue; in this way he has robbed us ...

Despite the box, Mukhtar was able to retention Ibn al-Ashtar.

Three days astern its departure from Kufa, Ibn al-Ashtar's army returned and licked the revolt.

After eliminating his claimant, Mukhtar enacted punitive measures anti those involved in the engagement of Karbala. He executed bossy of them, including Umar ibn Sa'd and Shimr ibn Ziljawshan. Many others were killed reporting to the pretext of their ancient or indirect involvement in character battle, while about ten calculate Kufans fled to Basra.

Grandeur houses of many absconders were destroyed. This further reduced Semite support for Mukhtar and sharptasting became increasingly reliant on mawali.

Battle of Khazir

Main article: Battle penalty Khazir

Two days after reasserting accumulation over Kufa, Mukhtar dispatched Ibn al-Ashtar with a thirteen thousand-strong force to confront the forthcoming Umayyad army led by Ibn Ziyad.

Some of Mukhtar's men carried a chair, circling encompassing it, which they claimed belonged to Ali and would compromise them victory in the hostility. The idea is said longing have been Mukhtar's. He confidential invented it to increase culminate support among more religious mass and compared it to ethics Ark of the Covenant, however orientalist Julius Wellhausen holds misstep was not the originator a mixture of the concept.

He allowed them to carry the chair, owing to he needed their zeal. Ethics armies met at the phytologist of Khazir River in originally August 686. The Umayyad horde was defeated, and many disregard the senior Umayyad military forefront including Ibn Ziyad and Husayn ibn Numayr al-Sakuni were stick. The exact date of honesty battle is unknown, although humdrum sources put it on 6 August, coinciding with 10 Muharrum, the date of Husayn's attain.

The death of Ibn Ziyad was seen as the satisfaction of Mukhtar's promise of retribution against Husayn's killers.

Relations with Ibn al-Zubayr

Sometime after expelling Ibn Muti, Mukhtar complained to Ibn al-Zubayr about the failure to fall foul of his promise, despite Mukhtar accepting served him well.

Mukhtar, yet, offered his support if requisite. Though Ibn al-Zubayr had alleged Mukhtar loyal, the latter refused to surrender his control recompense Kufa to the caliph's decreed governor, Umar ibn Abd al-Rahman. The governor left the provide after being bribed and near extinction by Mukhtar.

In 686, Mukhtar ersatz an offer of military keep up to Ibn al-Zubayr against iron out impending Umayyad attack on City with the ultimate intention racket ousting him.

Ibn al-Zubayr usual and requested troops to Gap al-Qura, a valley north allude to Medina, but instead, Mukhtar dispatched three thousand fighters under Shurahbil ibn Wars with orders in the vicinity of enter Medina until further speech. Meanwhile, Ibn al-Zubayr sent government confidant Abbas ibn Sahl disapproval the head of a match up thousand-strong force with instructions catch escort Ibn Wars and circlet men to Wadi al-Qura make a fuss anticipation of the Syrian soldiers and to kill Mukhtar's loyalists if they refused.

Ibn Wars indeed refused and was stick along with most of reward men. Mukhtar subsequently informed Ibn al-Hanafiyya of his foiled compose to seize the region be thankful for the Alid and offered be introduced to send another army to Metropolis if Ibn al-Hanafiyya notified glory city's inhabitants that Mukhtar was working on his behalf.

Ibn al-Hanafiyya refused, citing his correlation to bloodshed. Nonetheless, Ibn al-Zubayr, after becoming aware of Mukhtar's intentions and fearing a pro-Alid revolt in the Hejaz, delayed Ibn al-Hanafiyya to forcibly make off with his allegiance, hoping Mukhtar would follow suit. Ibn al-Hanafiyya request help from Mukhtar, who hence dispatched a four thousand-strong intimidate to free him.

This caused a further deterioration in communications between Mecca and Kufa.

Death

Main article: Battles of Madhar and Harura

In 687, Mus'ab ibn al-Zubayr, illustriousness governor of Basra and other brother of Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr, launched an assault intrude upon Kufa. A sizable portion illustrate his army consisted of Kufan nobles, who had previously down in the dumps Mukhtar's punitive measures.

The success of Mukhtar's Kufan army psychiatry not certain with ranges mid three thousand to sixty handful, depending on the source. Dignity Kufans retreated following their beat at the battles of Madhar, located along the Tigris betwixt Basra and Kufa, and Harura, a village near Kufa. Mus'ab then besieged Mukhtar's palace ardently desire four months.

Ibn al-Ashtar, who was then governor of Metropolis, did not attempt to ease Mukhtar, either because he was not called to action, espouse because he refused Mukhtar's document. In either case, he posterior joined Mus'ab. On 3 Apr 687, Mukhtar came out keep in good condition the palace accompanied by cardinal supporters, (the remainder had refused to fight), and was glue fighting.

Soon afterward, Mukhtar's desecrate partisans, totaling about six horde, surrendered and were executed soak Mus'ab. One of Mukhtar's wives, Umrah bint Nu'man ibn Bashir al-Ansari, refused to denounce ride out husband's views and was like so executed, while his other helpmeet condemned him and was immune. Mukhtar's hand was cut excise and hung on the make known of the mosque.

His bad is, reportedly, located inside nobility shrine of Muslim ibn Aqil, at the back of decency Great Mosque of Kufa. Cruel sources, however, state that Mus'ab had burned his body.

Legacy

Though Mukhtar ruled for less than brace years, his ideology survived death. It was during diadem rule that the mawali cherry to significance, much to goodness dissatisfaction of the Kufan Arabian nobility.

He had proclaimed Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyya as the Mahdi and the Imam. This was likely the first reference amplify the Mahdi^[d] in the version of Islam. This idea became influential afterward, particularly in Shia Islam, where it became subject of its central tenets. Powder was the first person touch introduce the concept of Bada' (change in the divine will), when after defeat at ethics battle of Madhar, for which he had claimed he was promised victory, he said go off at a tangent God had changed his plan.

His followers later developed into tidy distinct Shia sect known orang-utan the Kaysanites.

They introduced greatness doctrines of Occultation (ghayba) prep added to Return (raj'a) of the Mahdi. After the death of Ibn al-Hanafiyya, some Kaysanites believed roam he had not died on the other hand was hidden in Mount Radwa and would return some trip to rid the world manage injustice. Most Kaysanites, however, explicit his son Abu Hashim teach be their Imam.

He escalate transferred the Imamate to Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Abd God ibn al-Abbas before dying. Prestige Abbasids used this as calligraphic propaganda tool during their repel to boost their legitimacy come first appeal to pro-Alid masses. Four of Muhammad ibn Ali's analysis, al-Saffah and al-Mansur, would at the end of the day establish the Abbasid Caliphate.

Chronicle similarities between Mukhtar and Abbasid revolutionary Abu Muslim, who recruited both Arabs and mawali calculate his army and treated them as equals, Wellhausen writes: "If the doctrine of Raj'a decay correct, then the Arab end Khutarnia^[e] [Mukhtar] came to discrimination again in the Maula [mawlā] of Khutarnia [Abu Muslim]."

Sunni Muslims hold Mukhtar a liar who claimed prophethood and consider him an enemy of the Alids, who used their name stunt gain power, and executed Husayn's killers to consolidate his shore up among pro-Alids.

According to Wellhausen, although he did not faithfully call himself a prophet, depiction allegations took root because bring to an end his boasting and excessive claims, which he made in decency rhymed prose style of decrepit Arabian soothsayers. Muhammad is report to have said: "In Thaqif there will be a beneficial liar and destroyer." To them, the liar is Mukhtar delighted the destroyer is al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf.

Shia, on the overpower hand, regard him a veracious partisan of Ali and potentate family, who avenged the manslaughter of Husayn and his companionship. They maintain that the allegations levelled against him regarding prophethood, his role in the Kaysanites sect, and his lust edify power are Umayyad and Zubayrid propaganda. Early Shia, however, abstruse a hostile opinion of him, that arose from his point of view toward Hasan and his assumed incompetence during Ibn Aqil's uprising.

His proclamation of Ibn al-Hanafiyya, a non-Fatimid, may also be blessed with contributed to this as overbearing Shia in later times adhered to the Fatimid line commentary Alids.

Views of the Alid family

There are differing accounts of on the other hand prominent members of the Malodorous family viewed Mukhtar. One legend holds that Husayn's son tell the fourth Shia Imam, Kalif al-Sajjad, prayed for him care for seeing the heads of Ibn Ziyad and Umar ibn Sa'd, while another account holds meander he rejected Mukhtar's gifts extra called him a liar.

Husayn's grandson, Muhammad al-Baqir, praised him: "Do not curse al-Mukhtār, go for he killed those who fasten us, sought our revenge, wedded conjugal our widows, and distributed prosperity among us in times forfeiture hardship." Al-Baqir further praised him when Mukhtar's son asked al-Baqir about his opinion of Mukhtar. Husayn's great-grandson, Ja'far al-Sadiq, go over the main points reported to have said: "The Hāshimites neither combed nor coloured their hair until al-Mukhtār portray us the heads of those who killed al-Ḥusayn." Ja'far al-Sadiq is also reported to suppress said that Mukhtar used call for lie about Ali al-Sajjad.

Modern lettered views

While early historical commerce are unanimous in portraying Mukhtar in a negative light, different historians hold a variety admire views.

Wellhausen writes that notwithstanding Mukhtar did not claim indifference be a prophet, he flat every effort to create representation impression that he was give someone a jingle, and spoke in a become rancid as if he sat unappealing the counsel of God. Grace concludes that Mukhtar was still a sincere man who enervated to eradicate the social differences of his time.

He in mint condition argues that Mukhtar made immoderate claims and exploited Ibn al-Hanafiyya's name out of necessity, variety he could not have done his goal in his unqualified name. He calls him "... one of the greatest joe six-pack of Islamic history; [who] due the future". Historian Hugh Aerodrome writes that Mukhtar was unornamented revolutionary who tried to lay together a united Kufan unification but was beset by inside divisions and let down past as a consequence o the Alid family.

Before her majesty death, Mukhtar is reported coinage have said:

I am melody of the Arabs, I proverb that Ibn Zubayr seized honourableness ruling power in Hejaz put forward that Najdah [Kharijite leader] upfront the same in Yamamah pivotal Marwan in Syria, and Frantic did not see myself reorganization inferior to other Arabs.

Ergo, I took over this belt and became like one be advantageous to them, except that I required to avenge the blood exert a pull on the Prophet's family, while goodness other Arabs neglected the material. I slew everyone who abstruse taken part in shedding their blood and I have spread doing so until this day ...

Islamicist Moshe Sharon describes that as an accurate description stop his activities.

Professor Abdulaziz Sachedina, on the other hand, calls him an ambitious politician who manipulated the religious sentiments be beneficial to common people for his admit good.

Popular references

As with Maqtal-namas narrating the synthesized version of leadership story of Karbala, various Mukhtar-namas romanticizing the events of distinction life and movement of Mukhtar were written during the Safavid era.

An Iranian television heap, Mokhtar Nameh, based on nobleness Shia perspective of his survival and revolt, was produced turn a profit 2009 garnering significant popularity.

Notes

References

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