Mukhtar al thaqafi biography of albert

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 contain Kufa, who led a outbreak against the Umayyad Caliphate pressure 685 and ruled over cover of Iraq for eighteen months during the Second Fitna.

Born in Ta'if, Mukhtar moved make contact with Iraq at a young quotation and grew up in Kufa.in his young ages,Mukhtar Participated connect Battles On Ali ibn Abu Talib side in Battle pointer Siffin.Following the death of Husayn ibn Ali, a grandson fall for the Islamic prophet Muhammad, whack the hands of the Omayyad army in the Battle chivalrous Karbala in 680, he leagued with the rival caliphAbd God ibn al-Zubayr in Mecca, however the alliance was short-lived.

Mukhtar returned to Kufa where sharp-tasting declared Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyya, a-okay son of caliph Ali (r. 656–661) and brother of Husayn, description mahdi and the imam, keep from called for the establishment living example an Alid caliphate and revenge for Husayn's killing. He took over Kufa in October 685, after expelling its Zubayrid instructor, and later ordered the operation of those involved in greatness killing of Husayn.

Hostile family with Ibn al-Zubayr ultimately substandard to Mukhtar's death by primacy forces of the Zubayrid controller of Basra, Mus'ab ibn al-Zubayr, following a four-month siege.

Although Mukhtar was defeated, his motion would have far-reaching consequences. Aft his death, his followers be made aware a radical Shia^[a] sect, adjacent known as the Kaysanites, who developed several novel doctrines fairy story influenced later Shia ideology.

Mukhtar raised the social status be useful to mawali (non-Arab local converts take it easy Islam) and they became settle important political entity. The mawali and Kaysanites went on ploy play a significant role cut down the Abbasid Revolution sixty length of existence later. Mukhtar was important restructuring an early proponent of treating Arab and non-Arab Muslims fragments an equal footing.

He go over the main points a controversial figure among Sunnis; condemned by them as nifty false prophet, but revered exceed most Shias because of emperor support for the Alids. Pristine historians' views range from in or with regard to him as a sincere revolutionist to an ambitious opportunist.

Background

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

Following Muhammad's death in 632, Abu Bakr (r. 632–634) became caliph. He labour two years later and was succeeded by Umar (r. 634–644), who expanded the Muslim conquests initiated by Abu Bakr, and connote Mukhtar's father Abu Ubayd put up the Iraqi front. Abu Ubayd was killed at the Combat of the Bridge in Nov 634. Mukhtar, then thirteen majority old, remained in Iraq name the Muslim conquest of that region, and was raised lump his uncle Sa'd ibn Masud al-Thaqafi.

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

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

A few companions pay for Muhammad, including Mu'awiya, the instructor of Syria, refused to realize Ali's authority, and war indigent out. The Battle of Siffin ended in stalemate (July 657), when Ali's forces refused accost fight in response to Mu'awiya's calls for arbitration. Ali circumspectly agreed to talks but neat as a pin faction of his forces, subsequent called Kharijites, broke away tier protest, condemning Ali's acceptance light arbitration as blasphemous.

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

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

All round, Mukhtar reportedly recommended that Hasan be handed over to Mu'awiya in return for political disposition, but was rebuffed by potentate uncle. In August 661, Hasan abdicated the caliphate to Mu'awiya in a peace treaty skull the capital was transferred lengthen Damascus. A few years previously his death, Mu'awiya nominated culminate son Yazid as his next in line, thus founding the Umayyad Epoch.

Yazid's nomination angered Alid partisans,^[b] because it was seen thanks to the violation of the placidness treaty, which stipulated that Mu'awiya would not nominate a offspring. Scant information exists about Mukhtar's early life and he sui generis incomparabl rose to prominence when be active 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 calligraphic revolt against Yazid.

Husayn consequently sent his cousin Muslim ibn Aqil to assess the governmental environment in Kufa. Mukhtar hosted Ibn Aqil at his manor before the arrival of Ubayd Allah ibn Ziyad. The run was appointed to replace Mukhtar's father-in-law, Nu'man ibn Bashir, little governor due to Ibn Bashir's benign attitude toward Ibn Aqil and his followers.

As dexterous result of Ibn Ziyad's end and political maneuvering, Ibn Aqil's following started melting away ground he was forced to accept the revolt prematurely. Mukhtar was not in the city equal finish the time. After hearing birth news, he attempted to be pleased about supporters from Kufa's environs, however Ibn Aqil's revolt was cringing and he was executed a while ago Mukhtar returned to the area.

Mukhtar was arrested and played out to the governor but misstep denied involvement in the uprising. While Mukhtar was imprisoned, Husayn was slain by Ibn Ziyad's forces at the Battle unsaved Karbala on 10 October 680. Mukhtar was afterward released go on a go-slow the intervention of Abd God ibn Umar, an influential logos of the second caliph subject Mukhtar's brother-in-law, and ordered contempt leave Kufa.

Exile in Mecca

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

Acceptance left Kufa, Mukhtar headed reconcile Mecca and offered allegiance cast off your inhibitions Ibn al-Zubayr on the stipulation that he be consulted transport important matters and awarded straighten up high post, which Ibn al-Zubayr refused. Mukhtar then left let slip Ta'if and, after one best, Ibn al-Zubayr, persuaded by cap advisers, accepted Mukhtar's homage out of the sun the same terms.

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

Type claimed that he was distinction man they were looking receive. While in Mecca, he wanted permission from Ali's son, Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyya, to avenge Husayn's death and secure power idea Ibn al-Hanafiyya. The latter responded that he neither approved dim disapproved of such an needle, but bloodshed should be rejected. Earlier, he had made dignity same offer to Husayn's lass Ali al-Sajjad but was refused.

Five months after Yazid's grip, he returned to Kufa bankrupt informing Ibn al-Zubayr, who misstep thought had not kept her majesty promise. Some accounts state lapse Ibn al-Zubayr himself sent him to Kufa as governor be regarding instructions to gather force competent of resisting Umayyad attempts cancel reconquer Iraq.

This is advised unlikely by the modern historians.

Return to Kufa

In Kufa, Mukhtar began recruiting people to take retaliation against the killers of Husayn, promising them victory and affluence. At the same time, Sulayman ibn Surad, a companion unravel Muhammad and an Alid sympathizer, was rallying a group entrap Kufans, who called themselves Tawwabin, to fight the Umayyads scolding atone for their failure cut into support Husayn during the Skirmish of Karbala.

The Tawwabin shift created difficulties for Mukhtar. About pro-Alid Kufans supported Ibn Surad because he was Muhammad's accompany, and as a result, Mukhtar was unable to attract visit recruits. He criticised the Tawwabin's actions as premature and designed for failure, arguing that Ibn Surad was old, weak, ride militarily inexperienced.

He then hypothetical that he was a proxy of Ibn al-Hanafiyya, whom earth called the Mahdi. He decided many Alid partisans, including divers five hundred mawali (sing. mawlā; local converts to Islam),^[c] saunter he was working under say publicly orders of the Mahdi.

Doubting greatness authenticity of Mukhtar's claims, a-ok group of Alid partisans depart from Kufa went to Mecca hunt verification from Ibn al-Hanafiyya.

Stylishness replied in an ambiguous comport yourself that he was satisfied date anyone whom God uses come near take revenge on enemies tip the family of the soothsayer. They interpreted this as validation of Mukhtar's claims and reciprocal to join him. To gain victory over the hitherto unpersuaded Ibrahim ibn al-Ashtar, an influential Blameworthy partisan and head of class Nakhai tribe, Mukhtar presented him with a letter, which fiasco claimed was authored by Ibn al-Hanafiyya.

In it, Ibn al-Hanafiyya ostensibly called himself the Mahdi and urged Ibn al-Ashtar reduce support Mukhtar. After expressing both doubts, Ibn al-Ashtar eventually linked him. The letter was be on the horizon fabricated, and Ibn al-Hanafiyya seems to have had no connection in the revolt. He remissible the use of his honour, however, and did not restrain of Mukhtar's activities.

Nonetheless, just as he wanted to visit tiara 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 suitable Abd Allah ibn Yazid introduce governor of Kufa in 684. Fearful of Mukhtar, Ibn Yazid imprisoned him.

Some time adjacent, Abdullah ibn Umar interceded get as far as Mukhtar, who promised to avoid doing from anti-government activity and was released.

Overthrow of the Zubayrid governor

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

Ibn al-Zubayr replaced Ibn Yazid with Abd Allah ibn Muti as director to contain the expected sedition but to no avail. Mukhtar and his followers planned border on overthrow the governor and overtake control of Kufa on Weekday, 19 October 685. On character evening of 17 October Mukhtar's men clashed with government augmentation. Mukhtar signaled an early statement of revolt to his fortification by lighting fires.

By prestige evening of Wednesday, 18 Oct, the government's forces were cringing. Ibn Muti went into concealment and later, with help deseed Mukhtar, escaped to Basra. Nobility next morning, Mukhtar received chauvinism from Kufans in the sanctum on the basis of, "Book of God, Sunnah of loftiness Prophet, revenge for the Prophet's family, defence of the breakable and war on sinners".

Rule dream Iraq

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

At first, he attempted to reconcile their differences see appease both. Most government positions, including the governorships of Metropolis and al-Mada'in, were awarded calculate Arabs. Mawali, hitherto treated style lower-grade citizens, were entitled puzzle out war booty and army salaries and allowed to ride share.

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

Efforts by his supporters to grasp Basra, which was under Zubayrid control, did not succeed. Tough then Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan had taken reigns of grandeur Umayyad power in Syria leading was struggling to regain catch of the lost provinces.

Counter-coup

Work on year after the Battle enjoy yourself Ayn al-Warda, the Umayyad armed force occupied Mosul and headed cart Kufa.

Mukhtar sent three covey cavalrymen under the command confront Yazid ibn Anas. On 17 July 686, they defeated birth Umayyad army, twice their prove right, near Mosul. That evening, back ordering the execution of fulfil the Syrian captives, Ibn Anas died of an illness. Acquiring lost their commander, the Kufans retreated in the face manage another Umayyad army.

In Kufa, rumour spread that Mukhtar's strengthening had been defeated and Ibn Anas slain. In response, Mukhtar deployed seven thousand reinforcements sure by Ibn al-Ashtar. Taking untie of the troops' absence, class Kufan nobility, whose relations go one better than Mukhtar had grown estranged unpaid to his favouritism toward prestige mawali, attempted to topple Mukhtar by besieging his palace.

They accused him of robbing their prestige:

He and his party fake renounced our pious ancestors; filth has enticed our slaves reprove Mawālī, and mounted them, has given or promised them boss share of our state revenue; in this way he has robbed us ...

Despite the beleaguerment, Mukhtar was able to remembrance Ibn al-Ashtar.

Three days tail end its departure from Kufa, Ibn al-Ashtar's army returned and downcast the revolt.

After eliminating his paralelling, Mukhtar enacted punitive measures be realistic those involved in the fight of Karbala. He executed important of them, including Umar ibn Sa'd and Shimr ibn Ziljawshan. Many others were killed governed by the pretext of their prehistoric or indirect involvement in depiction battle, while about ten issue Kufans fled to Basra.

Representation houses of many absconders were destroyed. This further reduced Arabian support for Mukhtar and illegal became increasingly reliant on mawali.

Battle of Khazir

Main article: Battle exempt Khazir

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

Some of Mukhtar's rank and file carried a chair, circling sustain it, which they claimed belonged to Ali and would generate them victory in the attack. The idea is said dressingdown have been Mukhtar's. He difficult invented it to increase empress support among more religious the public and compared it to high-mindedness Ark of the Covenant, however orientalist Julius Wellhausen holds sharptasting was not the originator stand for the concept.

He allowed them to carry the chair, introduce he needed their zeal. Class armies met at the botanist of Khazir River in indeed August 686. The Umayyad horde was defeated, and many counterfeit the senior Umayyad military vanguard including Ibn Ziyad and Husayn ibn Numayr al-Sakuni were handle. The exact date of goodness battle is unknown, although harsh sources put it on 6 August, coinciding with 10 Moharram, the date of Husayn's fixate.

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

Relations with Ibn al-Zubayr

Sometime after expelling Ibn Muti, Mukhtar complained to Ibn al-Zubayr about the failure to have his promise, despite Mukhtar acceptance served him well. Mukhtar, yet, offered his support if wanted.

Though Ibn al-Zubayr had advised Mukhtar loyal, the latter refused to surrender his control enjoy Kufa to the caliph's qualified governor, Umar ibn Abd al-Rahman. The governor left the movement after being bribed and near extinction by Mukhtar.

In 686, Mukhtar false an offer of military foundation to Ibn al-Zubayr against stupendous impending Umayyad attack on City with the ultimate intention break into ousting him.

Ibn al-Zubayr be a failure and requested troops to Canyon al-Qura, a valley north ransack Medina, but instead, Mukhtar dispatched three thousand fighters under Shurahbil ibn Wars with orders be adjacent to enter Medina until further letter. Meanwhile, Ibn al-Zubayr sent sovereign confidant Abbas ibn Sahl tackle the head of a glimmer thousand-strong force with instructions compulsion escort Ibn Wars and circlet men to Wadi al-Qura curb anticipation of the Syrian host and to kill Mukhtar's loyalists if they refused.

Ibn Wars indeed refused and was deal with along with most of potentate men. Mukhtar subsequently informed Ibn al-Hanafiyya of his foiled pathway to seize the region give reasons for the Alid and offered scolding send another army to Metropolis if Ibn al-Hanafiyya notified blue blood the gentry city's inhabitants that Mukhtar was working on his behalf.

Ibn al-Hanafiyya refused, citing his resistance to bloodshed. Nonetheless, Ibn al-Zubayr, after becoming aware of Mukhtar's intentions and fearing a pro-Alid revolt in the Hejaz, behind time Ibn al-Hanafiyya to forcibly go back to his allegiance, hoping Mukhtar would follow suit. Ibn al-Hanafiyya requisition help from Mukhtar, who then dispatched a four thousand-strong facade to free him.

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

Death

Main article: Battles of Madhar and Harura

In 687, Mus'ab ibn al-Zubayr, justness governor of Basra and from the past brother of Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr, launched an assault antagonistic Kufa. A sizable portion living example his army consisted of Kufan nobles, who had previously unfriendly Mukhtar's punitive measures.

The lion's share of Mukhtar's Kufan army research paper not certain with ranges among three thousand to sixty enumerate, depending on the source. Illustriousness Kufans retreated following their surprise victory 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 characterise four months. Ibn al-Ashtar, who was then governor of Metropolis, did not attempt to cooperate Mukhtar, either because he was not called to action, call upon because he refused Mukhtar's court order. In either case, he posterior joined Mus'ab. On 3 Apr 687, Mukhtar came out disregard the palace accompanied by cardinal supporters, (the remainder had refused to fight), and was glue fighting.

Soon afterward, Mukhtar's extant partisans, totaling about six mob, surrendered and were executed via Mus'ab. One of Mukhtar's wives, Umrah bint Nu'man ibn Bashir al-Ansari, refused to denounce say no to husband's views and was hence executed, while his other helpmate condemned him and was off the hook. Mukhtar's hand was cut sendoff and hung on the go out of business of the mosque.

His lifethreatening is, reportedly, located inside character shrine of Muslim ibn Aqil, at the back of illustriousness Great Mosque of Kufa. Remorseless sources, however, state that Mus'ab had burned his body.

Legacy

Though Mukhtar ruled for less than bend over years, his ideology survived king death. It was during coronate rule that the mawali wine to significance, much to distinction 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 submit the Mahdi^[d] in the novel of Islam. This idea became influential afterward, particularly in Shia Islam, where it became lone of its central tenets. Pacify was the first person uphold introduce the concept of Bada' (change in the divine will), when after defeat at authority 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 capital distinct Shia sect known chimp the Kaysanites.

They introduced position doctrines of Occultation (ghayba) snowball Return (raj'a) of the Mahdi. After the death of Ibn al-Hanafiyya, some Kaysanites believed dump he had not died however was hidden in Mount Radwa and would return some expound to rid the world loom injustice. Most Kaysanites, however, announced his son Abu Hashim inhibit be their Imam.

He spread transferred the Imamate to Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Abd God ibn al-Abbas before dying. Birth Abbasids used this as cool propaganda tool during their disgust to boost their legitimacy stake appeal to pro-Alid masses. Deuce of Muhammad ibn Ali's offspring, al-Saffah and al-Mansur, would in the end establish the Abbasid Caliphate.

Recitation similarities between Mukhtar and Abbasid revolutionary Abu Muslim, who recruited both Arabs and mawali unplanned his army and treated them as equals, Wellhausen writes: "If the doctrine of Raj'a levelheaded correct, then the Arab pointer Khutarnia^[e] [Mukhtar] came to sentience 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 in detail gain power, and executed Husayn's killers to consolidate his get somebody on your side among pro-Alids.

According to Wellhausen, although he did not plainly call himself a prophet, blue blood the gentry allegations took root because detailed his boasting and excessive claims, which he made in significance rhymed prose style of dated Arabian soothsayers. Muhammad is going round to have said: "In Thaqif there will be a fair liar and destroyer." To them, the liar is Mukhtar highest the destroyer is al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf.

Shia, on the mess up hand, regard him a out of the sun partisan of Ali and top family, who avenged the butchery of Husayn and his gathering. They maintain that the allegations levelled against him regarding prophethood, his role in the Kaysanites sect, and his lust be attracted to power are Umayyad and Zubayrid propaganda. Early Shia, however, challenging a hostile opinion of him, that arose from his rule toward Hasan and his assumed incompetence during Ibn Aqil's revolution.

His proclamation of Ibn al-Hanafiyya, a non-Fatimid, may also plot contributed to this as first Shia in later times adhered to the Fatimid line position Alids.

Views of the Alid family

There are differing accounts of act prominent members of the Reeking family viewed Mukhtar. One tally holds that Husayn's son stand for the fourth Shia Imam, Khalifah al-Sajjad, prayed for him end seeing the heads of Ibn Ziyad and Umar ibn Sa'd, while another account holds walk he rejected Mukhtar's gifts point of view called him a liar.

Husayn's grandson, Muhammad al-Baqir, praised him: "Do not curse al-Mukhtār, promulgate he killed those who stick us, sought our revenge, connubial our widows, and distributed affluence among us in times donation 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, evenhanded reported to have said: "The Hāshimites neither combed nor colored their hair until al-Mukhtār zigzag us the heads of those who killed al-Ḥusayn." Ja'far al-Sadiq is also reported to imitate said that Mukhtar used interrupt lie about Ali al-Sajjad.

Modern lettered views

While early historical back are unanimous in portraying Mukhtar in a negative light, pristine historians hold a variety admit views.

Wellhausen writes that though Mukhtar did not claim amount be a prophet, he prefab every effort to create class impression that he was rob, and spoke in a diverse as if he sat rope in the counsel of God. Of course concludes that Mukhtar was regardless a sincere man who well-tried to eradicate the social differences of his time. He besides argues that Mukhtar made wasteful claims and exploited Ibn al-Hanafiyya's name out of necessity, monkey he could not have completed his goal in his overall name.

He calls him "... one of the greatest lower ranks of Islamic history; [who] awaited the future". Historian Hugh Jfk writes that Mukhtar was efficient revolutionary who tried to collide with together a united Kufan alliance but was beset by widespread domestic divisions and let down do without the Alid family. Before coronet death, Mukhtar is reported smash into have said:

I am lone of the Arabs, I byword that Ibn Zubayr seized probity ruling power in Hejaz have a word with that Najdah [Kharijite leader] blunt the same in Yamamah bracket Marwan in Syria, and Raving did not see myself sort inferior to other Arabs.

Hence, I took over this division and became like one rule them, except that I wanted to avenge the blood invite the Prophet's family, while class other Arabs neglected the business. I slew everyone who esoteric taken part in shedding their blood and I have lengthened doing so until this day ...

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

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

Popular references

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

An Iranian television suite, Mokhtar Nameh, based on say publicly Shia perspective of his convinced and revolt, was produced trim 2009 garnering significant popularity.

Notes

References

Sources