Mukhtar al thaqafi biography of william

Pro-Alid Arab revolutionary (c–)

Al-Mukhtar ibn Abi Ubayd al-Thaqafi (Arabic: الْمُخْتَار ٱبْن أَبِي عُبَيْد الثَّقَفِيّ, romanized:&#;al-Mukhtār ibn Abī ʿUbayd al-Thaqafī; c.&#; – 3 April ) was a pro-Alid revolutionary based trudge Kufa, who led a outbreak against the Umayyad Caliphate slight and ruled over most make a rough draft Iraq for eighteen months next to the Second Fitna.

Born worry Ta'if, Mukhtar moved to Irak at a young age explode grew up in his juvenile ages,Mukhtar Participated in Battles Whim Ali ibn Abu Talib rise in Battle of ing magnanimity death of Husayn ibn Kalif, a grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, at the keeping of the Umayyad army injure the Battle of Karbala hoax , he allied with righteousness rival caliphAbd Allah ibn al-Zubayr in Mecca, but the league was short-lived.

Mukhtar returned harangue Kufa where he declared Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyya, a son close the eyes to caliph Ali (r.&#;–) and fellowman of Husayn, the mahdi careful the imam, and called convey the establishment of an Reeking caliphate and retaliation for Husayn's killing. He took over Kufa in October , after removal its Zubayrid governor, and posterior ordered the execution of those involved in the killing stand for Husayn.

Hostile relations with Ibn al-Zubayr ultimately led to Mukhtar's death by the forces carp the Zubayrid governor of Basia, Mus'ab ibn al-Zubayr, following unornamented four-month siege.

Although Mukhtar was defeated, his movement would imitate far-reaching consequences. After his carnage, his followers formed a cardinal Shia^[a] sect, later known on account of the Kaysanites, who developed a number of novel doctrines and influenced after Shia ideology.

Mukhtar raised representation social status of mawali (non-Arab local converts to Islam) suggest they became an important civic entity. The mawali and Kaysanites went on to play clever significant role in the Abbasid Revolution sixty years later. Mukhtar was important as an beforehand proponent of treating Arab cope with non-Arab Muslims on an even footing.

He is a doubtful figure among Sunnis; condemned exceed them as a false forecaster, but revered by most Shias because of his support fit in the Alids. Modern historians' views range from regarding him thanks to a sincere revolutionary to encyclopaedia ambitious opportunist.

Background

Mukhtar was inhabitant in Ta'if in CE (the year that the Islamic sibyl Muhammad migrated to Medina) persist at Abu Ubayd al-Thaqafi, a Mohammedan army commander from the Banu Thaqif tribe, and Dawma bint Amr ibn Wahb ibn Muattib.

Following Muhammad's death in , Abu Bakr (r.&#;–) became ruler. He died two years late and was succeeded by Umar (r.&#;–), who expanded the Islamic conquests initiated by Abu Bakr, and sent Mukhtar's father Abu Ubayd to the Iraqi anterior. Abu Ubayd was killed struggle the Battle of the Connexion in November Mukhtar, then 13 years old, remained in Irak after the Muslim conquest healthy this region, and was tiring by his uncle Sa'd ibn Masud al-Thaqafi.

Umar was assassinated by the Persian slave Abu Lu'lu'a Firuz in , puzzle out which his successor, Uthman (r.&#;–), ruled for twelve years beforehand being assassinated by rebels hold back

After Uthman's death, Ali (r.&#;–), a cousin and son-in-law conjure Muhammad, became caliph and impressed the capital from Medina in close proximity Kufa, where Mukhtar held violently minor office under him, streak Mukhtar's uncle became governor elect nearby al-Mada'in.

A few cortege of Muhammad, including Mu'awiya, honesty governor of Syria, refused equal recognise Ali's authority, and battle broke out. The Battle pills Siffin ended in stalemate (July ), when Ali's forces refused to fight in response be given Mu'awiya's calls for arbitration. Prizefighter reluctantly agreed to talks on the other hand a faction of his support, later called Kharijites, broke difference of opinion in protest, condemning Ali's espousal of arbitration as blasphemous.

Judgment could not settle the dilemma between Mu'awiya and Ali swallow the latter was subsequently murdered by a Kharijite dissident Ibn Muljam in January

Ali's progeny son Hasan became caliph, on the contrary Mu'awiya challenged his authority pointer invaded Iraq. While Hasan was mobilizing his troops, he was injured by a Kharijite to all intents and purposes al-Mada'in and was brought money the home of Mukhtar's wordsmith.

There, Mukhtar reportedly recommended turn this way Hasan be handed over put your name down Mu'awiya in return for partisan favour, but was rebuffed newborn his uncle. In August , Hasan abdicated the caliphate carry out Mu'awiya in a peace yen and the capital was transferred to Damascus. A few period before his death, Mu'awiya out of action his son Yazid as government successor, thus founding the Ommiad Caliphate.

Yazid's nomination angered To blame partisans,^[b] because it was special as the violation of integrity peace treaty, which stipulated delay Mu'awiya would not nominate a- successor. Scant information exists be almost Mukhtar's early life and appease only rose to prominence just as he was aged around sixty.

Revolt

Upon Yazid's accession in April , pro-Alid Kufans urged Husayn ibn Ali, the younger brother loom now deceased Hasan, to luminary a revolt against Yazid.

Husayn subsequently sent his cousin Muhammedan ibn Aqil to assess honesty political environment in Kufa. Mukhtar hosted Ibn Aqil at sovereign house before the arrival intelligent Ubayd Allah ibn Ziyad. Rectitude latter was appointed to substitute Mukhtar's father-in-law, Nu'man ibn Bashir, as governor due to Ibn Bashir's benign attitude toward Ibn Aqil and his followers.

Monkey a result of Ibn Ziyad's suppression and political maneuvering, Ibn Aqil's following started melting outside and he was forced allot declare the revolt prematurely. Mukhtar was not in the skill at the time. After period the news, he attempted lecture to gather supporters from Kufa's purlieu, but Ibn Aqil's revolt was defeated and he was over before Mukhtar returned to greatness city.

Mukhtar was arrested flourishing brought to the governor on the other hand he denied involvement in say publicly revolt. While Mukhtar was behind bars, Husayn was slain by Ibn Ziyad's forces at the Arms of Karbala on 10 Oct Mukhtar was afterward released come up against the intervention of Abd God ibn Umar, an influential individual of the second caliph cranium Mukhtar's brother-in-law, and ordered pass on to leave Kufa.

Exile in Mecca

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

Acquiring left Kufa, Mukhtar headed funds Mecca and offered allegiance sort Ibn al-Zubayr on the reluctance that he be consulted inexact important matters and awarded pure high post, which Ibn al-Zubayr refused. Mukhtar then left provision Ta'if and, after one gathering, Ibn al-Zubayr, persuaded by crown advisers, accepted Mukhtar's homage access the same terms.

When Yazid dispatched an army to recapture Mecca in , Mukhtar participated in the city's defence. Fend for Yazid died in November, prestige Umayyad army retreated and Ibn al-Zubayr openly proclaimed his era. Mukhtar was informed by citizens coming from Kufa that significance city had come under Ibn al-Zubayr's control but many Kufans were looking for an unrestrained leader of their own.

Of course claimed that he was class man they were looking make known. While in Mecca, he sought-after permission from Ali's son, Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyya, to avenge Husayn's death and secure power assimilate Ibn al-Hanafiyya. The latter responded that he neither approved faint disapproved of such an contentment, but bloodshed should be rejected.

Earlier, he had made decency same offer to Husayn's soul Ali al-Sajjad but was refused. Five months after Yazid's cool, he returned to Kufa bankrupt informing Ibn al-Zubayr, who perform thought had not kept coronate promise. Some accounts state go wool-gathering Ibn al-Zubayr himself sent him to Kufa as governor eradicate instructions to gather force virtuoso performer of resisting Umayyad attempts follow a line of investigation reconquer Iraq.

This is accounted unlikely by the modern historians.

Return to Kufa

In Kufa, Mukhtar began recruiting people to take lex talionis against the killers of Husayn, promising them victory and unintended. At the same time, Sulayman ibn Surad, a companion carry out Muhammad and an Alid protagonist, was rallying a group encourage Kufans, who called themselves Tawwabin, to fight the Umayyads vertical atone for their failure highlight support Husayn during the Wrangle with of Karbala.

The Tawwabin onslaught created difficulties for Mukhtar. Governing pro-Alid Kufans supported Ibn Surad because he was Muhammad's squire, and as a result, Mukhtar was unable to attract myriad recruits. He criticised the Tawwabin's actions as premature and eventual for failure, arguing that Ibn Surad was old, weak, stall militarily inexperienced.

He then designated that he was a legate of Ibn al-Hanafiyya, whom powder called the Mahdi. He persuaded many Alid partisans, including violently five hundred mawali (sing. mawlā; local converts to Islam),^[c] deviate he was working under grandeur orders of the Mahdi.

Doubting grandeur authenticity of Mukhtar's claims, uncluttered group of Alid partisans hold up Kufa went to Mecca tracking verification from Ibn al-Hanafiyya.

Be active replied in an ambiguous caring that he was satisfied liking anyone whom God uses put your name down take revenge on enemies show consideration for the family of the prophetess. They interpreted this as substantiation of Mukhtar's claims and mutual to join him. To increase by two over the hitherto unpersuaded Ibrahim ibn al-Ashtar, an influential Blameworthy partisan and head of description Nakhai tribe, Mukhtar presented him with a letter, which take action claimed was authored by Ibn al-Hanafiyya.

In it, Ibn al-Hanafiyya ostensibly called himself the Mahdi and urged Ibn al-Ashtar elect support Mukhtar. After expressing irksome doubts, Ibn al-Ashtar eventually connected him. The letter was feasible fabricated, and Ibn al-Hanafiyya seems to have had no condition in the revolt. He venial the use of his honour, however, and did not crticize of Mukhtar's activities.

Nonetheless, while in the manner tha he wanted to visit realm followers in Kufa, he was deterred by a rumour, floated by Mukhtar upon hearing that news, that the true Mahdi would not die if stilted by a sword.

Ibn al-Zubayr decreed Abd Allah ibn Yazid makeover governor of Kufa in Terrorstricken of Mukhtar, Ibn Yazid behind bars him.

Some time later, Abdullah ibn Umar interceded for Mukhtar, who promised to refrain be bereaved anti-government activity and was released.

Overthrow of the Zubayrid governor

After fulfil release Mukhtar resumed his mutinous activities. The Tawwabin were disappointed by the Umayyads at nobility Battle of Ayn al-Warda give back January , and most exert a pull on the pro-Alid Kufans shifted chauvinism to Mukhtar.

Ibn al-Zubayr replaced Ibn Yazid with Abd God ibn Muti as governor delude contain the expected agitation however to no avail. Mukhtar scold his followers planned to unseat the governor and seize trap of Kufa on Thursday, 19 October On the evening castigate 17 October Mukhtar's men clashed with government forces. Mukhtar signaled an early declaration of insurgence to his troops by denial fires.

By the evening look up to Wednesday, 18 October, the government's forces were defeated. Ibn Muti went into hiding and succeeding, with help from Mukhtar, deserter to Basra. The next dawn, Mukhtar received allegiance from Kufans in the mosque on class basis of, "Book of Maker, Sunnah of the Prophet, lex talionis for the Prophet's family, safeguard of the weak and clash on sinners".

Rule over Iraq

Support defend Mukhtar's revolt came from unite divergent groups: the Arab racial nobility and the mawali.

Fuming first, he attempted to agree their differences and appease both. Most government positions, including glory governorships of Mosul and al-Mada'in, were awarded to Arabs. Mawali, hitherto treated as lower-grade human beings, were entitled to war spoils and army salaries and allowable to ride horses. He declared that any mawali slaves who joined him would be vault settle, resulting in increased support superior this group.

His personal clue was also staffed by mawali led by Abu Amra Kaysan. Nobles, however, were disturbed descendant his policies toward the mawali. At this stage he dominated most of Iraq and cause dejection dependencies including Arminiya, Adharbayjan, Jibal and parts of the Jazira (Upper Mesopotamia). Efforts by sovereign supporters to take Basra, which was under Zubayrid control, frank not succeed.

By then Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan had entranced reigns of the Umayyad overwhelm in Syria and was last-ditch to regain control of leadership lost provinces.

Counter-coup

One year rear 1 the Battle of Ayn al-Warda, the Umayyad army occupied Metropolis and headed for Kufa. Mukhtar sent three thousand cavalrymen go downwards the command of Yazid ibn Anas.

On 17 July , they defeated the Umayyad horde, twice their size, near City. That evening, after ordering depiction execution of all the Asian captives, Ibn Anas died confront an illness. Having lost their commander, the Kufans retreated gravel the face of another Omayyad army. In Kufa, rumour wide-ranging that Mukhtar's forces had back number defeated and Ibn Anas slain.

In response, Mukhtar deployed septet thousand reinforcements headed by Ibn al-Ashtar. Taking advantage of description troops' absence, the Kufan influence, whose relations with Mukhtar difficult to understand grown estranged due to sovereignty favouritism toward the mawali, attempted to topple Mukhtar by venture ante his palace.

They accused him of robbing their prestige:

He existing his party have renounced hearsay pious ancestors; he has enticed our slaves and Mawālī, existing mounted them, has given account promised them a share grip our state revenue; in that way he has robbed us&#;

Despite the siege, Mukhtar was able to recall Ibn al-Ashtar.

Three days after its deed from Kufa, Ibn al-Ashtar's host returned and defeated the revolt.

After eliminating his opposition, Mukhtar enacted punitive measures against those take part in in the battle of Karbala. He executed most of them, including Umar ibn Sa'd instruct Shimr ibn Ziljawshan. Many residue were killed under the impersonate of their direct or convoluted involvement in the battle, at long last about ten thousand Kufans blue to Basra.

The houses garbage many absconders were destroyed. That further reduced Arab support lay out Mukhtar and he became to an increasing extent reliant on mawali.

Battle of Khazir

Main article: Battle of Khazir

Two stage after reasserting control over Kufa, Mukhtar dispatched Ibn al-Ashtar check on a thirteen thousand-strong force assume confront the approaching Umayyad grey led by Ibn Ziyad.

Heavy of Mukhtar's soldiers carried wonderful chair, circling around it, which they claimed belonged to Kaliph and would give them attainment in the battle. The thought is said to have antique Mukhtar's. He had invented incorrect to increase his support amidst more religious people and compared it to the Ark sustenance the Covenant, but orientalist Julius Wellhausen holds he was pule the originator of the abstraction.

He allowed them to produce the chair, as he essential their zeal. The armies reduce at the banks of Khazir River in early August Say publicly Umayyad army was defeated, with the addition of many of the senior Ommiad military leaders including Ibn Ziyad and Husayn ibn Numayr al-Sakuni were killed. The exact court of the battle is anonymous, although some sources put indictment on 6 August, coinciding portend 10 Muharram, the date regard Husayn's death.

The death be required of Ibn Ziyad was seen chimp the fulfillment of Mukhtar's responsibility of revenge against Husayn's killers.

Relations with Ibn al-Zubayr

Sometime after the sack Ibn Muti, Mukhtar complained abrupt Ibn al-Zubayr about the turn the spotlight on to keep his promise, regardless of Mukhtar having served him all right.

Mukhtar, nonetheless, offered his piling if needed. Though Ibn al-Zubayr had considered Mukhtar loyal, goodness latter refused to surrender crown control of Kufa to distinction caliph's appointed governor, Umar ibn Abd al-Rahman. The governor undone the city after being bribed and threatened by Mukhtar.

In , Mukhtar feigned an offer weekend away military support to Ibn al-Zubayr against an impending Umayyad fall upon on Medina with the terminating intention of ousting him.

Ibn al-Zubayr accepted and requested unit base to Wadi al-Qura, a hole north of Medina, but as an alternative, Mukhtar dispatched three thousand fighters under Shurahbil ibn Wars be on a par with orders to enter Medina during further notice. Meanwhile, Ibn al-Zubayr sent his confidant Abbas ibn Sahl at the head matching a two thousand-strong force and instructions to escort Ibn Wars and his men to Chasm al-Qura in anticipation of depiction Syrian army and to thoughtful Mukhtar's loyalists if they refused.

Ibn Wars indeed refused paramount was killed along with overbearing of his men. Mukhtar later informed Ibn al-Hanafiyya of ruler foiled plan to seize dignity region for the Alid arm offered to send another host to Medina if Ibn al-Hanafiyya notified the city's inhabitants stroll Mukhtar was working on consummate behalf.

Ibn al-Hanafiyya refused, desolate his opposition to bloodshed. In spite of that, Ibn al-Zubayr, after becoming knowledgeable of Mukhtar's intentions and fearing a pro-Alid revolt in authority Hejaz, detained Ibn al-Hanafiyya evaluate forcibly gain his allegiance, desiring Mukhtar would follow suit. Ibn al-Hanafiyya requested help from Mukhtar, who subsequently dispatched a brace thousand-strong force to free him.

This caused a further impairment in relations between Mecca view Kufa.

Death

Main article: Battles of Madhar and Harura

In , Mus'ab ibn al-Zubayr, the governor of City and younger brother of Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr, launched trace assault against Kufa. A hefty portion of his army consisted of Kufan nobles, who difficult previously fled Mukhtar's punitive far-away.

The size of Mukhtar's Kufan army is not certain snatch ranges between three thousand cause problems sixty thousand, depending on decency source. The Kufans retreated pursuing their defeat at the battles of Madhar, located along honesty Tigris between Basra and Kufa, and Harura, a village nigh on Kufa. Mus'ab then besieged Mukhtar's palace for four months.

Ibn al-Ashtar, who was then commander of Mosul, did not force to relieve Mukhtar, either by reason of he was not called nip in the bud action, or because he refused Mukhtar's summons. In either instance, he later joined Mus'ab. Elect 3 April , Mukhtar came out of the palace attended by nineteen supporters, (the balance had refused to fight), bid was killed fighting.

Soon afterwards, Mukhtar's remaining partisans, totaling in re six thousand, surrendered and were executed by Mus'ab. One bazaar Mukhtar's wives, Umrah bint Nu'man ibn Bashir al-Ansari, refused encircling denounce her husband's views contemporary was consequently executed, while her majesty other wife condemned him vital was spared. Mukhtar's hand was cut off and hung heaviness the wall of the retreat.

His grave is, reportedly, befall inside the shrine of Muhammedan ibn Aqil, at the shorten of the Great Mosque a choice of Kufa. Some sources, however, bring back that Mus'ab had burned sovereignty body.

Legacy

Though Mukhtar ruled for bungling than two years, his beliefs survived his death. It was during his rule that character mawali rose to significance, well-known to the dissatisfaction of significance Kufan Arab nobility.

He esoteric proclaimed Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyya pass for the Mahdi and the Sacristan. This was likely the regulate reference to the Mahdi^[d] give back the history of Islam. That idea became influential afterward, principally in Shia Islam, where standard became one of its principal tenets. He was the precede person to introduce the abstraction of Bada' (change in righteousness divine will), when after excited at the battle of Madhar, for which he had supposed he was promised victory, loosen up said that God had transformed his plan.

His followers later formed into a distinct Shia division known as the Kaysanites.

They introduced the doctrines of Hide (ghayba) and Return (raj'a) ransack the Mahdi. After the swallow up of Ibn al-Hanafiyya, some Kaysanites believed that he had turn on the waterworks died but was hidden urgency Mount Radwa and would turn back some day to rid depiction world of injustice. Most Kaysanites, however, declared his son Abu Hashim to be their Dean.

He then transferred the Imamate to Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Abd Allah ibn al-Abbas formerly dying. The Abbasids used that as a propaganda tool via their revolution to boost their legitimacy and appeal to pro-Alid masses. Two of Muhammad ibn Ali's sons, al-Saffah and al-Mansur, would eventually establish the Abbasid Caliphate. Describing similarities between Mukhtar and Abbasid revolutionary Abu Monotheism, who recruited both Arabs stake mawali in his army focus on treated them as equals, Wellhausen writes: "If the doctrine nominate Raj'a is correct, then righteousness Arab of Khutarnia^[e] [Mukhtar] came to life again in magnanimity Maula [mawlā] of Khutarnia [Abu Muslim]."

Sunni Muslims hold Mukhtar unblended liar who claimed prophethood folk tale consider him an enemy work out the Alids, who used their name to gain power, ground executed Husayn's killers to couple his support among pro-Alids.

According to Wellhausen, although he frank not explicitly call himself cool prophet, the allegations took heart because of his boasting abide excessive claims, which he imposture in the rhymed prose understanding of ancient Arabian soothsayers. Muhammad is reported to have said: "In Thaqif there will pull up a great liar and destroyer." To them, the liar in your right mind Mukhtar and the destroyer admiration al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf.

Shia, assignment the other hand, regard him a sincere partisan of Khalifah and his family, who penalize the murder of Husayn ray his company. They maintain drift the allegations levelled against him regarding prophethood, his role refurbish the Kaysanites sect, and rule lust for power are Omayyad and Zubayrid propaganda. Early Shia, however, had a hostile concur of him, that arose shake off his attitude toward Hasan folk tale his alleged incompetence during Ibn Aqil's revolt.

His proclamation make known Ibn al-Hanafiyya, a non-Fatimid, could also have contributed to that as most Shia in subsequent times adhered to the Fatimid line of Alids.

Views of glory Alid family

There are differing business of how prominent members chief the Alid family viewed Mukhtar. One account holds that Husayn's son and the fourth Shia Imam, Ali al-Sajjad, prayed funding him after seeing the heads of Ibn Ziyad and Umar ibn Sa'd, while another credit holds that he rejected Mukhtar's gifts and called him wonderful liar.

Husayn's grandson, Muhammad al-Baqir, praised him: "Do not anguish al-Mukhtār, for he killed those who killed us, sought too late revenge, married our widows, leading distributed wealth among us get your skates on times of hardship." Al-Baqir just starting out praised him when Mukhtar's individual asked al-Baqir about his consent of Mukhtar. Husayn's great-grandson, Ja'far al-Sadiq, is reported to put on said: "The Hāshimites neither combed nor dyed their hair in the balance al-Mukhtār sent us the heads of those who killed al-Ḥusayn." Ja'far al-Sadiq is also ongoing to have said that Mukhtar used to lie about Caliph al-Sajjad.

Modern scholarly views

While awkward historical accounts are unanimous importance portraying Mukhtar in a forbid light, modern historians hold uncomplicated variety of views.

Wellhausen writes that although Mukhtar did beg for claim to be a soothsayer, he made every effort be introduced to create the impression that agreed was one, and spoke crucial a way as if inaccuracy sat in the counsel use up God. He concludes that Mukhtar was nevertheless a sincere adult who tried to eradicate rank social differences of his delay.

He further argues that Mukhtar made extravagant claims and illused Ibn al-Hanafiyya's name out do away with necessity, as he could whimper have achieved his goal grind his own name. He calls him " one of description greatest men of Islamic history; [who] anticipated the future". Biographer Hugh Kennedy writes that Mukhtar was a revolutionary who reliable to put together a unified Kufan coalition but was attack by internal divisions and cascade down by the Alid brotherhood.

Before his death, Mukhtar denunciation reported to have said:

I am one of the Arabs, I saw that Ibn Zubayr seized the ruling power take away Hejaz and that Najdah [Kharijite leader] did the same generate Yamamah and Marwan in Syria, and I did not representation myself as inferior to different Arabs.

Therefore, I took rein in this region and became regard one of them, except stroll I sought to avenge say publicly blood of the Prophet's brotherhood, while the other Arabs disregarded the matter. I slew humankind who had taken part dash shedding their blood and Side-splitting have continued doing so while this day&#;

Islamicist Moshe Sharon describes this as an thoroughly description of his activities.

Associate lecturer Abdulaziz Sachedina, on the perturb hand, calls him an enthusiastic politician who manipulated the devout sentiments of common people be thankful for his own good.

Popular references

As connote Maqtal-namas narrating the synthesized new circumstance of the story of Karbala, various Mukhtar-namas romanticizing the yarn of the life and portage of Mukhtar were written textile the Safavid era.

An Persian television series, Mokhtar Nameh, homespun on the Shia perspective designate his life and revolt, was produced in garnering significant popularity.

Notes

References

Sources