Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Chapter Eleven: Government’s Condition in Othman's Caliphate time

Abu-Sofyan's words

At first day of Othman's caliphate, Abu-Sofyan who had gone blind went to him and asked:" Is there any one who is not of Bani Omaye family?" Told him :"No", then he said:" I always desired you take the government and now that's granted, take it and try not to lose it, pass it to yourselves like a ball which children pass to each other. Be sure that there is no resurrection, paradise or hell, that there is no world after death.” Othman shouted on him, but in fact, they obeyed and acted as he desired1. It is also narrated that:

Aged and blind, Abu-Sofyan went to Othman. After a while asked whether there was any strange who would reveal his words.Told him that there was not. Then he said:" the affairs of government are worldly and there is no difference between this government and the one before Islam, so select all your governors of Bani Omaye2."

Once Abu-Sofyan went to cemetery, on Hamze's (Prophet‘s uncle and of primary Muslims. he suffered martyrdom in Ohod war.) tomb and pounded his foot on grave, then said:" Hey Hamze, what we fought for, has become a toy in our children's hand with which they play3."

Valeed, governor of Kufe

Valeed was son of Oghbat4, one of greatest enemy of Islam who was killed by Imam Ali. Valeed believed in God when Mecca was conquered by Muslims and he had no other chance.

Once Prophet sent him to tribe Bani Mostalagh in order to collect their Islamic taxes. He went, but he returned and reported that they had apostatized and had avoided to pay their Islamic taxes. Prophet sent Khalid in order to do this task, he went and did it properly and reported that they were Muslims and believed in God, that they liked Islam and clung to it.

The reason of Valeed false report was that he had seen some people coming toward him. In fact, they were coming to visit prophet's messenger and welcome him, but he had thought that they had planned evil, so he had escaped and had given that lie to prophet.

Then the following verses about Valeed revealed to Prophet5:

....

O, You who believe! If an evil doer comes to you with a report, look carefully into it, lest your harm a people in ignorance, then be sorry for what you have done.( The Chambers 6 )

Othman, who claimed that he was the successor of prophet, appointed such a notorious evil-doer as governor of Kufe just for being his relative. Valeed governed Kufe for five years and during these years he fought with unbelievers of north of Iran. Not being faithful enough, once he did an error which according to Islam, he must be punished6. People of distinction gathered to punish him, but Hozaife opposed them and excused that because Valeed was governor and commander of Islam army, he could be exonerated7.

The story of Valeed's wine drinking

Historian Abol Faraj in book Aghani8 and Historian Masoudi in book Morvejo Zahab9 writes:

Valid drank wine with his companion during nights. Once, while he was intoxicated, he saidmorning prayer

four units instead of two units and toldpeople : " Do you want me to add some more units to morning prayer." In the mosque, he threw up the wine, which he had drunk. Thaghafi, who was in the first line and behind Valeed, cried out:" Goddamn you, what had happened to you? I wonder why Othman had appointed you as our governor."

People begun to stone Valeed andhe stumblingly, escaped and went to his palace, while he was murmuring the following poem:"

I never turn my face far from wine and beautiful women/

I never deprive myself of this world’s enjoyment/

I do drink lots of wine to satisfy myself/

Then stumbling pass through people10."

People decided to complain of him to caliph, Othman. One went to Othman and said the story, but Othman ordered to beat him11. Therefore, four men, at night, went to Valeed’s palace and when he was drinking wine, removed his finger ring and Valeed, being intoxicated, didn't understand12.

They brought the ring to Othman and told him how they had gotten it. Othman asked them about wine, and how they knew Valeed had been drinking wine. They answered that they knew wine because before Islam, they had experienced it. Meanwhile, Othman who had become very angry, threatened them to punishment,then send them out.

Thewitnesses who were beaten by Othman, went to Imam Ali and asked him to help them. Imam Ali went to Othman and said to him:" Why have you beaten the witnesses and do not act according to Islam? Why do you change God’s law?13 ”

Ayesheh, to whom witnesses had taken refuge, shouted on Othman:” Do you affront the witnesses and leave what according to Islam, you are supposed to do?14 ”

When Othman was on the way, heard some words from Ayesheh's house, where the witnesses had sought refuge.

He irritated and cried out:" Did rebellious and lowed persons not find some where better than Ayesheh’s house?"

Ayesheh heard Othman's words, so she took the shoes of prophet and rushed out. She cried out:'How soon you leave Prophet's tradition, the owner of these shoes!"

Her words spread mouth to mouth in mosque, some admired her, some reproached. The result was quarrel between them15. This was the first quarrel among Muslims16.

After this event Talhe and Zobair went to Othman and reproachfully told him:" We recommended you not to appoint Valeed as governor, but you did it without thinking about our advice; it is not late, there are people who have witnessed his drinking wine, we advise you to dispose him."

Imam Ali also recommended Othman to dispose Valeed and punish him according to Islam17.

The disposition of Valeed

Othman, who was compelled, disposed Valeed and appointed Saeid Ibn Aes as governor of Kufe. He ordered Saeid Ibn Aes to send Valeed to Medina. Saeid Ibn Aes, after arriving at Kufe, didn't get up to the raise structure which was used for preaching and even didn't go to the palace, because he claimed that they were unclean and should be washed. His companion tried to dissuade him because it would be a permanent sham for Valeed, but Ibn Aes did not accept and ordered to wash them.

Valeed was sent to Medina, there, in spite of Othman's desire, he was adjudged to be lashed. Othman gave him a thick clothe. Whoever went to lash him, Valeed reminded his relationship with Othman, and beseeched him not to lash him,then he would dissuade and leave there. Imam Ali, after observing this event, while his son Imam Hasan was present, took the lash18. Valeed tried to dissuade him, but Imam Ali stated:" Be silent, the reason of children of Israel's destruction was cancellation of punishment19." Valeed escaped, but Imam Ali caught him. Othman protested, but Imam Ali stated:" He has done evil, drunk wine and should be punished20." Then Imam Ali lashed him with two lines whip forty times. He did not raise his hand so much up that his shoulder hole be observable21 and lashed him slowly. It was a custom to cut the hairs of evil-doer,then lash him/her, but Othman didn't agree this custom be done for Valeed22. Later Valeed was employed to collect the Islamic taxes of two tribes, Kalb and Balghain23&24.

Kufe’s Condition in Othman’s Caliphate Time

Muslim's, in Othman's caliphate time, were in bad situation. Othman had appointed his brother25, Valeed, as the governor of Kufe. Valeed realm of government included Iraq, some part of Iran and even some countries of middle Asia. Kufe had been one of the five Islam centers of military which Othman appointed his brother to run.

Saed Ibn Vaghas was the previous governor of Kufe, but Othman disposed him. He was one of the primary Muslims and of Mohajerans. In Omar caliphate time, he was ordered to make a military center and he established Kufe; Omar also appointed him as the governor of there. He was one of the members of the council that Omar constituted in order to select his successor. Saed Ibn Vaghas was respected by people because of his position and good temper;inhabitance of Kufe were content and pleased of him.

When Valeed met Saed Ibn Vaghas in Kufe and gave him the letter in which he was disposed, Saed told Valeed:" I don't know whether you've become a good and clever man or I've become idiot?" (Because Quran had introduced Valeed as bad-doer ) Valeed said:" Don't be sorry, this is government,a group eat of its lunch and a group of its dinner."

Saed Ibn Vaghas Said:" I swear by God that you will change the Islamic government into a monarchy one." Saed returned to Medina26.

The Story of Ibn Masoud

Ibn Masoud27 was the first one of prophet’s companions who loudly read the lines of Quran at Kufe in front of unbelievers, and when they asked him what he was reading, he answered:" what is revealed to Mohammad, the Prophet." Then they attacked and hit him severely. He went to prophet and said to him what had happened. Prophet asked him to read again and he did. Ibn Masoud is also of those who immigrated to Yemen. He had participated in Badr war. Omar sent him to Kufe in order to teach Quran28 and Islamic rules, and also as treasurer of there. Omar wrote to the people of Kufe:" I do prefer you on myself and send Ibn Masoud to you29."

When Valeed became governor, he borrowed one hundred thousand Dirham (silver coin) of treasure (it was a custom of governors and caliphs, but Imam Ali never did so.) After a while, Ibn Masoud asked him to return it. Valeed wrote a letter to Othman and reported, then Othman wrote to IbnMasoud : " You are my treasurer, leave Valeed and forget the money."

Ibn Masoud in his answer wrote:" I thought that I was Muslims treasurer and this treasure was Muslims'.if it is

your treasure, I'm not treasurer any more." He threw away the keys of treasure30.

Ibn Masoud remained at Kufe, but began to reveal about Othman and his evil-doings.

Valeed wrote to Othman and explained what was going in his realm. Othman ordered him to send Ibn Masoud to Medina. Valeed asked Ibn Masoud to leave there, but people gathered around him and asked him to remain. They even promised him to defend, but Ibn Masoud did not accept and said:" In near future, someseditions will be excited and I don't want to be one of the first ones of these seditions.” People saw him off and professed on his faithfulness, virtues, and goodness, they thanked him for teaching them Quran and Islamic rules.

When Ibn Masoud arrived to Medina, he went to mosque, there Othman was preaching. When he saw Ibn Masoud, he said:" Now a humble insect enters whom if you touch his meal, he will throw up what ever he has eaten." Ibn Masoud said:" I'm not, I am one of prophet's companions and feel honor for taking part in Badr and Bey’te Rezvan war31.

Ayesheh who was there shouted on Othman:" Hey Othman, how can you say such things about Prophet's companion.

Othman told Ayesheh to shut her mouth and ordered to send Ibn Masoud out of mosque. Yahmum, Othman’s servant, lifted Ibn Masoud up and pound him on the ground so severely that Ibn Masoud's ridge broke.

Imam Ali, who was observing this event, said to Othman:" Are you doing this with prophet's companion just for Valeed's report?" Then he took Ibn Masoud to his home and cared him until he was recovered, and returned to his home. Ibn Masoud, after this event, resided in Medina; he was not allowed to leave there, even to fight with Romans. Othman also cut his salary.

Ibn Masoud, until his death could not leave Medina and passed away two years before Othman's murder. His residence in Medina was about three years. When Ibn Masoud was ill, Othman went to visit him, he asked:" Of what are you suffering?'

He answered:" Of my sins"

"What do you desire?"

"The mercy and bless of God."

"Do you want me to call for a doctor?"

"Doctor himself has made me ill."

"Do you want me to order to pay your salary32&33 "

"When I needed it, you didn't pay, now that I don't need, you want to pay."

"It will be kept for your children."

"God will supply their daily bread."

"Ask God to forgive me for all oppressions which I've done to you."

"I ask God to revenge me on you."

Ibn Masoud in his will ordered that Ammar, not Othman, say prayer on his corpse. His will was obeyed and without informing Othman, he was buried in Baghi cementry.

When Othman heard about Ibn Masoud's burial, he irritated and told Ammar:" Why did you bury him without informing me?" Ammar answered:" Because it was his will."

A poet according to this event composed the following lines34:

You after my death will praise me and cry

While during my life, you cut my salary.

It was just a part of Ibn Masoud's life during Valeed and Othman's government. Valeed during hisgoverning, did lots of sedition tasks, like his behavior with Abu-Zobeid, a Christian poet and with the Jewish juggler.

The Story of Valeed and Christian Wine Bibber, Abu-Zobeid

Valeed drank wine. Christian Abu-Zobeid was his friend. He drank wine with him. Valeed had given him a house near hispalace, therefore Abu-Zobeid could go to his palace and drank with him. Valeed's palace had a door into mosque and Abu-Zobeid so many times intoxicated, passed from the mosque. Valeed also had given him some agricultural land. Abu-Zobeid, in return composed a poem and praised Valeed35.

Historian Balazori in his book "Ansabol Ashraf36" writes:

Valeed ,from the treasure, bought wine and pigs for Abu-Zobeid, while he was the governor of Muslims, Omar and Abu-Bakr had never done so. Muslims protested and Valeed, having no other way, quit it, but he added to Abu-Zobeid's salary to buy wine and pigs himself instead of Muslims.

the Story of Jondab

Valeed became informed that a Jewish man named Zorarat and famous to Natravi, was living in one of the villages near to Babel.

He was skilled in all magic practices and juggling. Valeed ordered to invite him to Kufe in order to give a show in the mosque. Jewish Juggler, at night, could show an elephant riding a horse or transform himself to a camel and walk on a rope. He could show a donkey which he could enter through its mouth and exit of its back. Once he invited one of thespectator on the scene and with his sward beheaded him, then in front of people's astonished eyes, restored him to life.

Jondab Ibn-e Kab-e Azdi, who was famous for vigil and faithfulness, lived in Kufe. When he heard of Zorarat, borrowed a sword and beheaded Zorarat, then cried out:" If you are right, revive yourself."

Valeed irritated and ordered to kill Jondab, but Jondab's family protested and defended him. Therefore, he practiced a deceit and imprisoned him in order to kill him secretly. The jailer who saw his vigil and prayer at night, couldn't kill Jondab, and released him. Jondab told him:" If I escape, they will kill you.", but he answered:" My life in proportion with the life of one of pious and faithful persons is of least importance."

jondab escaped and went to Medina. There Imam Ali asked Othman to intercede. Othman wrote a letter to Valeed and ordered him to leave Jondab. Jondab returned to Kufe, but that jailer was beheaded37.

The Story of Abdollah Ibn-e Saed Abi Sarh

Abdollah Ibn-Saed was Othman's foster brother who believed in God and accepted Islam before the conquest of Mecca. He was of prophet's writers and immigrated to Medina, but after a while apostatized and returned to Mecca. There he claimed that prophet had obeyed whatever he had recommended. For example once he said:" When prophet asked me to write:" " I recommended to write:"................" and he accepted.

The following verses of Quran reveals about him:

And who is more unjust than he who forges a lie against God, or says:" It has been revealed to me; while nothing has been revealed to him, and he whoever says:" I can reveal the like of what God has revealed? And if you had seen when the unjust shall be in the agonies of death and the angels shall spread forth their hands;Give up your soul; today shall you be recompensed with an ignoring chastisement because you spoke against God other than the truth and because you showed pride against his communication.( The Cattle, 93 ).

After the conquest of Mecca by Muslims, Prophet announced general amnesty, but ordered to kill Abdollah even if he was stricken to Kabe. Abdollah feared and sought refuge to Othman. Othman hided him, later he took him to prophet and asked to spare him. Prophet, for a while, was silent and at last spared him. After they left, prophet stated to the attendance:" I waited for a while until one of you kill him." They said:" You would beckon us." Prophet stated:" It is not descendent for prophet to beckon."

Othman, during his caliphate, appointed such a person as the governor of Egypt38&39, just for being his brother.Abdollah, later conquered some parts of Africa and Othman bestowed him one fifth of booties40.

The Story of Hakam Ibn Abi Aes

Othman had ordered to make a throne for himself and excepthim, just four other people were allowed to sit on it, Abbas- Prophet's uncle, Abu-Sofyan, Hakam Ibn Abi Aes, his uncle and Valeed.

Hakam Ibn Abi Aes, in Prophet's lifetime, was famous for double dealing. He mocked prophet, walked behind him and pulled a wry face,shacked his hands and feet and turned his mouth. Once prophet turned and said to him:"

Remain like this"; Hakam until his death, couldn't control his hands and feet because of shakes.

Once prophet was speaking with Imam Ali in his home and Hakam was overhearing. Prophet ordered Imam Ali to bring him in. Imam Ali took Hakam's ear and dragged him in. Prophet cursed him,then exiled him to Taeif41. The verse" .. And cursed tree in Quran" revealed about Hakam42 and his generation, Bani Omaye43. Hakam and his family were not allowed to live in Medina. Othman interceded and asked prophet to let them live in Medina, but he didn't accept. Later he asked Abu-Bakr and Omar, but they rejected too. When Othman himself became caliph, he let them return to Medina44. Hakam, while had a worn out clothe on and a goat as his only property in front, entered Othman's house, but left there while he had a clothe of fur on45.

Once Hakam went to Othman. Othman and his brother, Valeed, were sitting. Othman asked Valeed to go and give his place to Hakam. When Hakam left there and Valeed returned, he told Othman:" I composed a poem, may I read it; Othman answered that he could, then Valeed said"

................

When I saw how his uncle was respected by him,

Even more than his brother, I desired his sons,

Amr andKhalid, grow up and call me uncle in judgment day.

Othman felt sympathy for his brother and appointed him as the governor of Kufe46.

The Story of Saeid Ibn Hakam, Son of Hakam Ibn Abi Aes and Malik-e Ashtar

Othman after deposingValeed, appointed Saeid Ibn Hakam as the governor of Kufe and ordered him to behave good with people, when he arrived at Kufe, washed palace and the raise structure47, which was used for preaching. He, in contrast with Valeed whose companions were wine drinkers and evil-doers, associated with scholars and learned persons48 who were teacher and interpreter of Quran such as, Malik-e Ashtar, Adi Ibn Hatam Tai, and fourteen other persons of Kufe, they were heads of their tribes too.

Once one of land owners said:" I wish all these gardens and fertile lands49 weregovernor’s ." Malik-e Ashtar said:" Do not desire all these gardens and lands, instead wish him to have better ones."

He said:" What was the harm of my desire for you? I swear to God that if Saeid wants and desires, he can have all these lands."

Malik answered:" I swear to God that he can't."

Saeid Ibn Hakam irritated and told all who were present:" From now on, all these gardens and lands are the property of Ghoraysh."

Malik-e Ashtar told him:" Do you want to usurp the fruits of our wars and what God has given us?" Do you want to share our properties among your family? I swear to God that whoever tries to usurp them, will fall and be ashamed." Then he attacked to that landowner, but people held him. Saeid Ibn Aes wrote a letter to Othman that:" I'm not the governor of Kufe as long as Malik-e Ashtar and other scholars, who are in fact, fool, are here." Othman ordered him to exile them and Saeid Ibn Aes sent them to Sham (Syria), he wrote to Malik-e Ashtarthat : " I see that something is in your heart which if you reveal, you will be killed, so go to Sham."

Malik and all scholars went to Sham.Maviye who was the governor of Sham, honored them. After a while an opposition emerged between Malik and Maviye. Maviye told Malik:" If all people were children of Abu-Sofyan they would be scholars and learned persons. "Malik answered him:" All human beings are offspring of Adam, but all of them are not so.”

Maviye got angry and imprisoned Malik. After him, he was in dispute with other scholars and at last, Maviye imprisoned all them, but then they apologized and Maviye released all of them.

Sham was far from Medina and people knew Islam through Maviye's deed and words.

They had not seen prophet or his companions to learn Islam as it was, in result they lives had no difference with before appearance of Islam. Maviye's palace was like Roman ones who had governed there before Islam. These scholars began to teach people the real Islam. Maviye wrote to Othman that these scholars try to pervert people and Othman ordered him to send them to Hems50. There, governor was son of Khalid Ibn Valeed. He rode a horse andforce them to follow him on foot, and told them:" I show you that you can't do what you have done with Saeid and Maviye.” He tortured them and even called them "son of evil", and at last they repented,then were sent to Kufe51.

In fact, no people and tribes of Kufe were content and pleased of their governor in Othman's caliphate time52.

The Governor of Basra, Abdolah Ibn Amer

Ibn Amer was Othman's cousin. Once, when the heads of Bani Omaye were around Othman, some one entered and said:" Is there not some one poor among you whom you like to be rich? Is there not some one among you whom you desire to be famous and known? If there is, why Abu Musa Ashari, who is not of Bani Omaye, is the governor of Basra?"

Othman who was affected by these words, appointed his sixteen years old cousin, Abdollah Ibn Amer, as the governor of Basra.

Abdolah Ibn Amer was very generous. Once he could not give his lecture, so he said:" These two attributes are not in me, the ability to give lecture and stinginess, now go to Bazaar and take a sheep, I’ll pay them all. He paid them from treasure. After a while, he wrote a letter to Othman that the amount of his treasure did not suffice, and Othman let him to conquer more lands through war and use the booties53.

After Othman's death, he went to Mecca and Medina and he distributed the treasure of Basra among people54.

Maviye in Othman's Caliphate Time

In Othman's caliphate, Obade Ibn Samet, prophet's companion, was in Sham. Once he saw a camel train carrying leather bottles to Maviye's palace. He thought that they were olive oil, but soon he was informed that they were wine, which Maviye had bought. Obade took a knife and torn them all. Some one told Obade:" What's your business with him? He is responsible for his works and sins." But Obade said:" You were present when prophet ordered us to commend to good deeds and prohibit from evil ones55, weren't you?" That man remained silent. Maviye wrote a letter to Othman and asked for permission to sent Obade out; Othman accepted and Maviye sent him out.

Obade went to Medina and gave a lecture:" I heard of prophet that after him the governors would be those who commend to evil deeds and prohibit from gooddeeds, and that they would not be faithful any more." Othman, who was present, remained silent56.

Another companion of prophet, Ibn Sahl, was a member of Othman's army in Sham. Once he saw a camel carrying wine for Maviye. By his spear, torn them all and fought with Maviye's agents. He threatened that he would kill Maviye57&58.

This shows how angry people had been of caliph’s governors and agents.

Othman’s behavior with Ammar

Once, Meghdad, Ammar- two primary Muslims and of prophet's close companions, Talhe, Zobair and other prophet's companions assembled and wrote Othman's evil deeds and errors. They asked him to quit and try to correctthem, otherwise they would revolute against him.

Nobody dare to deliver the letter to Othman other than Ammar.

Othman read it and said:" Do you want to revolute against me?"

Ammar answered:" I'm just a recommender.” Othman ordered his servants to lay him on the ground,then he kicked to his privy part, Ammar who was old, became unconscious59.

Othman and Treasure

Once Othman said:"

If the keys of paradise were with me, I would give them to Bani Omaye to enter, even the last one of them60."

Instead of keys of paradise, he had keys of treasure and generously distributed it among Bani Omaye. Some of his generosities were as follow:

1. Abu-Sofyan 200,000 Dirham61( silver coin )

2. Marvan Ibn Hakam 500,000 Dirham62

3. Abdollah Ibn Khalid 63 300,000 Dirham and for his relatives 1000 Dirham

4. Saeid Ibn Aes64 100,000 Dirham

5. Hareth Ibn Hakam Ibn Abi Aes65 300,000 Dirham

and also the Islamic taxes and rents of the shops of bazaar of Medina where had been prophet’s and he had bestowed them to people66.

6. Hakam Ibn Abi Aes 67 300,000 Dirham

7.Valeed68 100,000 Dirham

8. Abdollah Ibn Khalid 300,000 Dirham, later 600,000 Dirham69

9. Ziyad Ibn Thabet 100,000 Dirham 70

10. Zobeir 59,800,000 Dirham71

11. Talhe 200,000 Dirham72

12. Saed Ibn Vaghas 250,000 Dirham73

13. Himself 3,500,000 Dirham74

14. Abdollah Ibn Saed 100,000 Dirham was the Islamic task of Africa75.

15. Ziyad Ibn Thabet 100,000 Dirham76

16. Abdollah Ibn Euf 2,500,000 Dirham77

Once a bucket full ofjewelries, had been gained of Iran and it was kept in treasure. Othman shared them among his wife and daughters78. Othman also shared among his wife and daughters silvers and gold which Abu-Musa had achieved in war79&80.