103. THE ATROCITIES OF BASAR BIN ARTAT
Yemen was under Hazrat Ameer al Momineen (a.s) but there was a sizeable number of Othmanis as well. Although they had entered into the Bai-at of the Imam (a.s) their hearts were elsewhere! Their attitude with the governor of Yemen, Obaid Allah ibne Abbas too was inimical. When Mohammed ibne Abu Bakr was killed in Egypt, and the guerilla attacks on the Iraqi territory by the Syrians continued at regular intervals, the inimical element in Yemen too started their act. They started instigating people to claim the Qasas for the blood of Othman. When Obaid Allah ibne Abbas knew about this intrigue, he called some important persons and told them what he was hearing about them.They said what he had heard was right. They said that from the very beginning they thought that the killing of Othman was a calamity and that those who had killed him, and those who created the circumstances for the killing, must be punished. When Obaid Allah felt that the intrigue was rising in the province, he put those persons under house arrest. They sent messages to the armymen who subscribed to their thinking to create a revolt in their ranks and remove the chief, Saeed ibne Nimran. Therefore they revolted and snatched away the command from him. The army was totally demoralized and splinter groups were formed. Since the martial strength was affected, the civilian unrest started raising its head. Those who were quiet till then, started airing their views openly. And even those who didn’t subscribe to their views, joined with them to avoid paying the Zakat and the tribute.
Obaid Allah ibne Abbas, Saeed ibne Nimran and important Shias met to decide the strategy to face the situation. They decided to inform about the situation to Hazrat Ameer al Momineen (a.s) in detail and act on his advice. They thought that if they themselves started hostilities with the Othmanians they didn’t know what will be the consequences. Therefore, the details were communicated to the Imam (a.s). When he read their report, folds appeared on his forehead. He wrote to Obaid Allah and Saeed,“Whatever has happened is because of your poor politics! Otherwise they were not important enough to be given any importance! Niether they are more in numbers nor do they have any power. You must talk and convince them to be the men of piety. If they come back to the Right Path, we shall thank Allah! If they want to fight, we shall be ready to fight as well! “The Imam (a.s) simultaneously sent a letter to the Othmanians of Yemen with a person from the tribe of Hamadan, “I have been informed of your rebellion and headstrong attitude! Abstain from rebellion and go back to the peace of your homes! If you hesitate in doing this, an army is coming to teach you a suitable lesson and crush you.”
But those people remained adamant. When the courier found them reticent, hetold them that the Imam (a.s) has got readied an army under Yazid ibne Qais Arhabi which is waiting for me to inform about your reaction. If you don’t change your attitude, the troops will rush for Yemen. When they understood that this was not just a threat, they said that if Obaid Allah and Saeed were removed from there,midst they will become obedient to the Imam (a.s). This was their trick to save time. They wouldn’t have remained content only with the change of the functionaries. They had already sent a message to Muawiya asking him to send out a contingent to deal with the Shias of Yemen. They promised to cooperate with the army in its operations.
Muawiya, who was carrying on his guerilla operations on various towns of Iraq, couldn’t have kept quiet at this initiative of the Yemenis. He immediately called Basar ibne Artat, who was a tyrant of much ferocity, and sent him with a contingent of 3,000 troops to proceed to Yemen via Madina and Makka. He had instructions that whichever place he passed through, he should force the people to owe allegiance to Muawiya. Those of the Shias of Ali (a.s) who refuse his call must be excuted forthwith.and plunder their homes and hearths. Therefore, commanding the contingent he started for Madina. On the way, wherever he came across a source of water, he confiscated the camels of the people who were there to water their animals. When he reached near Madina terrorizing and looting the people enroute, the tribe of Bani Qaza welcomed him.and slaughtered camels to feed his contingent. When he entered the environs of Madina, Abu Ayoob Ansari, the governor went out of the city awed by seeing the huge contingent of troops.and escaped towards Koofa. There was none there to resist him. Basar went straight to the mosque and threatened the people who assembled there. He frightened them so much that they thought that death would come to them any moment. Some people asked Havetab ibne Abd al Uzza, in whose house Basar’s mother lived, to do something to save them. He told to Basar,“These people are the companions of the Prophet (s.a). They are neither the killers of Othman nor did they have anything to do with the conspiracy of killing him!Leave them alone!”
Basar didn’t agree. When they agreed to enter the Bai-at of Muawiya, he allowed them to go home. But those on whom he had doubt that they wouldn’t owe allegiance to Muawiya, he got their homes burned down. These were the homes of Abu Ayoob Ansari, Abd Allah ibne Saad, Rafa-aa ibne RafehZarqi and Zarara ibne Harun.
At the arrival of Basar lots of people abandoned their homes and had fled. Among them was Jabir bin Abd Allah Ansari who left his home and took shelter elsewhere. When Basar didn’t see Jabir, he told to a branch of Bani Salama that if they didn’t produce jabir in front of him, the safety of their lives and property could not be guaranteed. When Jabir learned that the lives of the people of his tribe were in jeopardy, he went in the darkness of the night to the Umm al Momineen Hazrat Umm e Salama and told her,“I have come to you to take your advice! What should I do in these circumstances? “She said, “For you there is no other alternative than owing allegiance to Muawiya and saving the lives of your men and your own! Although this Bai-at is sheer deviation, I have also advised my son Omer ibne Abi Salama and my son-in-law Abd Allah ibne Zam-aa to save themselves by entering into it”
Therefore Jabir very unwillingly went to Basar and entered into the Bai-at of Muawiya. All the days that Basar was in Madina the clouds of terror and fear were hovering over the place.and people were forced to owe their allegiance to the tyrannical force of Basar! Basar spared their lives and said,“O people of Madina! You didn’t deserve that even a single person here should be allowed to live because in front of your eyes Othman was killed and you didn’t do anything to help him. Although I am forgiving you in this world, I hope that you will be deprived of Allah’s Blessings in the Hereafter! I am appointing Abu Hurarira as the governor of Madina on behalf of the government of Syria. Beware! Don’t act against his orders!”
Then he proceeded towards Makka. When he reached near Makka, spreading terror at all the places on the way, the governor of Makka, Fatam ibne Abbas quietly left the city. Most of the inhabitants of Makka had left the place. Among these people was Abu Moosa Ashari as well. When Basar heard that even Abu Moosa had run away because of fear, he said that at least he shouldn’t have any fear! One who had deposed Ali (a.s) despite being his own nominee, he cannot be killed! Basar threatened and frightened the people of Makka and addressed them thus,“We thank Allah that He has given us control and authority! Our enemies have been shamed by Him! Look at Ibne Abi Talib (a.s)! He is sitting in an insignificant corner of Iraq! The areas of his own realm are shrinking for him! Allah has given retribution for his sins! His companions too are abandoning him! Today, the leader of the Muslims is Muawiya who is the successor of Othman and the standard bearer for claiming the Qasas for his blood! There do Bai-at with him and don’t put your lives in jeopardy by turning away from him!”
The people were already in fear and confusion. Seeing the bloodied swords they agreed to owe their allegiance to Muawiya. After the Bai-at he appointed Shaiba ibne Othman as the governor of Makka. Now Basar moved towards Taef.
When Basar went some distance, he sent one Qarshi to Nabala saying that there were many Shias there and he must kill them one by one. The man went there and made them captive. They said that they were from his own place and tribe. They wanted some respite to send a person to Basar to request him for amnesty. If he gave us amnesty in writing, it would be fine. Otherwise you will be free to kill us. The man gave permission and Muneeh Baheli went to Taef where Basar was waiting for the return of the Qarshi. Muneeh made the request for amnesty with Basar. Some important persons of Taef too supported him. He agreed to give amnesty because of their recommendation but was hesitant to write down his approval. When he thought that his man must have already killed all the other persons in Nabala, he wrote the order and gave to Muneeh. When he went to the house of the woman where he was satying, he found that she wasn’t there.He didn’t want to delay his departure anymore and, instead of the saddle he put a sheet of cloth on the back of the camel and started for his place, Nabala. There the people were losing hope of his returning in time to save their lives. The Qarshi and his men had already brought the persons to the ground for the execution. In fact the sword was used on the neck of one person, but it had broken. They talked with one another that to make the swords work they must be swung around. When Muneeh reached Nabala after spending one day and one night on camel back, he saw the swords shining from a distance. He thought that some fighting was going on. He speeded up his camel and waved his white shawl to indicate that he was coming. The person on whose neck the sword was about to fall was Muneeh’s own brother. He rushed and gave the letter to the Qarshi and their lives were saved just in time.
Basar left taef and went towards the habitations of Bani Kanana where two young sons of Obaid Allah ibne Abbas, Fatam and Abd ar Rehman and their mother, Umme Hakim Hooria binte Qariz Kanania were living. Basar sent his men to bring the children for killing them. Obaid Allah ibne Abbas had left the children in the care of a Kanani. When he saw that Basar wanted to kill them, his consicience would n’t allow him to see the children, who were in his care, getting killed before his eyes. He took out his sword and was ready to kill and get killed. Basar said that they had nothing to do with him.nor any need for them to kill him. He asked him to keep away and leave the children alone. He said that the duty of guardianship is more precious than his own life. Saying this he attacked the enemies and died fighting valiantly. Basar searched Fatam and Abd ar Rehman and killed them with great barbarity. When the women of Bani Kanana heard this they came out of their homes. One lady said,“Till this day men were seen executed. Even during the days of ignorance children were never executed! This tyrannical rule will not exist for long which is based on cruelty and barbarity!A rule in which there is no consideration even for small children and old persons!”
Basar said,“By Allah! I wish to kill all these women with my sword!”
The woman said,“Allah knows! If you do that the pain of our hearts would be relieved!”
when Umm Hakim saw her children immersed in dust and their own blood,, she was disconsolate with sorrow. She went round as if she was searching for her little children. During the days of Haj thereafter she used to make the pilgrims cry with her couplets full of pathos!
When Hazrat Ameer al Momineen (a.s) heard of the sad ending of those children, he was very sad and cursed Basar in these words:
“O Allah! Snatch away the Faith and wisdom from him!”
Ref: Tariq e Kamil, Vol 3, Page 193
And really it did happen like that!A time came when he lost his mental capacities. But even in this lunacy he used to utter the word,“Sword! Sword”
. In the end he was given a sword made out of wood and a sheepskin filled with air was placed in front of him to hit with his wooden sword! He used thus to quench his thirst for tyranny till he died.
Coming back to the narrative, Basar reached Najran killing and maiming people along the way. In Najran he killed Abd Allah ibne Abd al Madan Harti and his son Malik. After troubling and torturing the people of Najran, he went to Arhab and killed Abu Karb who was an ardent Shia of Ali (a.s) and a chief of the tribe of Hamadan. Then Basar proceeded to San-aa, the capital of Yemen. Umro ibne Araka Saqafi, who was the deputy of Obaid Allah ibne Abbas in his absence, valiantly fought with the men of Basar with the remnants of his troops and was martyred in the process. Basar entered the city and ordered general massacre and killed hundreds of innocent persons. During this whirlwind tour Basar destroyed complete towns, looted materials and indulged in wholesale arson. 30,000 Muslims were the victims of his unparalleled barbarity.
Hazrat Ameer al Momineen (a.s) asked the people of Koofa to give a befitting reply to the atrocities of Basar. But they exhibited their disinterest and avoided pursuing the enemy. After repeated proddings by the Imam (a.s), Abu Burada ibne Auf Azdi said,“If you go commanding the troops, we are ready to go!”
The Imam (a.s) said,“Your suggestion is not proper! It is not good that I leave the head quarters and keep chasing a marauder and brigand all over the relam!”
Jaria ibne Qadama Saadi said,“Ya Ameer al Momineen! I am ready to go in the pursuit of the enemy!”
The Imam (a.s) said,“You take a contingent of 2,000 troops from Basra and chase him in Hejaz and then upto Yemen and give him punitive punishment!”
Wahab ibne masood Saqafi said,“Ya Ameer al Momineen (a.s)! I shall take a contingent of 2,000 men from Koofa to teach a lesson to the enemy! “The Imam (a.s) gave him the permission as well. Both of them started on the campaign. After they went, the other persons felt that they did not respond to the call of Hazrat Ameer al Momineen (a.s). Therefore some important persons came to the presence of the Imam (a.s) and said, “Ya Ameer al Momineen (a.s)! We are really sorry that we tried to avoid fighting with the enemy! It is the result of our shortcomings and lethargy that the enemy could take courage in his hands to attack our territory. Order us! We shall prepare an army and chase the enemy and finish him!”
The Imam (a.s) said,“I have sent a person who will not return without chasing the enemy out of the borders of the realm! However, you must prepare for a result oriented war instead of these chases! That will totally eliminate the repeated incursions by the enemy! Rise and prepare to fight with Muawiya ibne Abu Sufian and finish that mischief for all time! “Saeed ibne Qais Hamadani said , “Ya Ameer al Momineen (a.s)! We are in your service and my tribe shall always be at your beck and call! We can fight with the enemy within our borders and also away from our realm! We shall shatter the idols of ignorance and treachery!”
The Imam (a.s) said,“May Allah Bless you! What you have said is very correct! “Then Ziyad ibne Khasfa too assured of his whole-hearted cooperation. Seeing the sangfroid of the koofans, the Imam (a.s) ordered Mauqal ibne Qais to arrange for men and materials of war. Then he addressed in a general gathering of the people of Koofa in this manner, “O People of Koofa! I am mobilizing troops to fight with the Syrians. Those of you who want to do Jehad in the way of Allah should report to join the contingent.”
The people of Koofa sharpened their swords and getting together other arms joined the army in large numbers. The number of troops rose to 40,000 men. On a contingent of 10,000 men the Imam (a.s) appointed his son Hussain (a.s). Another 10,000 troops were put under the command of Qais ibne Saad, and 10,000 under Abu Ayoob Ansari. In this manner different contingents were under the command of different persons..The Imam (a.s) wanted to move with this army on the campaign to Siffin after a week. But a Khariji, Ibne Muljim Muradi struck the head of the Imam (a.s) with such ferocity that he was martyred. With this great calamity the conditions in the realm became very uncertain. The rebellious ruler of Syria got the opportunity to play his treacherous tricks. The contingents got together so meticulously were disbursed over night. At the crucial time when arrangements had been made to crush the tyrannical enemy, the accursed Kahriji turned everything upside down!On the other side Jaria ibne Qadama reached Yemen with his regiment. When the Othmanians of Yemen knew of this, they went into the hills to hide themselves. But Jaria’s men chased and surrounded them. Some of them were killed. Jaria inquired about Basar and he was told that he had gone towards the habitations of Bani Teem. Jaria chased him. The tyrants are generally cowards. When he learned that the Iraqi army was in his pursuit, he went towards Yamama. He ran away even from there, running from place to place to make the Iraqis miss his trail. People were aware of his cruelties. Wherever he went, people used to attack him and Bani Tamim even looted some of his goods. Jaria chased him till Haras and the tired contingent rested there for a month. Then they went to Makka. Jaria asked the people of Makka if they had owed their allegiance to Muawiya. They said that they did the Bai-at but they didn’t have any other choice. Jaria asked them to renew their Bai-at with the Imam (a.s). They asked, Whose Bait? Hazrat Ameer al Momineen (a.s) is no more in the world!” He said,“You must owe your Bai-at to the person to whom the Companions of Ali (a.s) have owed their allegiance.”
Therefore the people of Makka pledged their Bai-at to Imam Hassan (a.s) and Jaria proceeded towards Madina. There Abu Huraria had started to lead the congregations of prayers. When he heard of the arrival of Jaria he went underground. When Jaria heard about this, he said:
“By Allah! If Abu Huraira was caught by me, I would have cut away his head!”
Ref: Tareeq e Tabari, Vol 4, Page 107
Then he told to the people of Madina to owe their allegiance to Imam Hassan (a.s). All the people did the Bai-at and Jaria proceeded towards Koofa. Basar had saved his life and reached Damascus and sought encomiums from Muawiya for his dark deeds.
Muawiya ibne Abu Sufian wanted to extend his sway as far and wide as possible. For this purpose he was attacking the areas under Hazrat Ameer al Momineen (a.s) and used tyrants like Zohak Fahri and Basar ibne Artat for this nefarious purpose. The gangs of Syrians played havoc on the unarmed, innocent civilians for no fault of theirs. Although this nefarious activity was carried out under the excuse of claiming Qasas for the blood of Othman, the real purpose was to extend the tyrannical sway of Muawiya. To achieve this they rendered buildings into ruins, obliterated habitation after habitation from existence and the survivors had to fly to safer places. The sanctity of Makka and Madina was compromised by spreading fear psychosis in those holy places. Although Makka is the place where there is no justification for disturbing the peace nor of causing death or injury to any person! The Prophet of Islam (s.a.) by declaring general amnesty at the time of conquest of Makka had forgiven the worst of offenders of peace and had said:
“One who has Faith in Allah and the Hereafter, for him it isn’t legitimate to shed blood and cut trees in Makka!”
Ref: Sahih Bukhari, Vol 3, Page 167
Similarly Madina too is sacrosanct and spreading terror there and torturing the residents there are foul acts. Therefore the Prophet (s.a) has said:
“One who frightens the people of Madina as an act of cruelty; on him there will be the curse of Allah, His angels and the entire humankind! Allah will neither accept the mandatory prayers nor the optionals of such a person!”
Ref: Wafa al Wafa, Vol 1, Page 32
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Author: MUFTI JAFFER HUSSAIN
