Questions about Zainul Abideen

1. Questions about Zainul Abideen Politics at his Time 27 Questions

2. Definition of Terms in this Slide Show • Institute of Ahlul Bayt: Refers to the teachings and discussions by Ahlul Bayt. This was conducted at: • The house of the Imam • Masjid Al-Nabawi • At or near the Grand Mosque during Haj • Piety-minded: Refers to the many Schools of thought: Like that of Ibn Abbas, of Ibn Omar, Jabriah, Qadariyah, Murj’iah, Ahlul Raa’y, Ahlul Qiyas, etc. Questions, Zainul Abideen and Politics at his Times

3. What was the feeling in Medina when Husain's family returned • The family was devastated, women cried and Imam Zainul Abideen's uncle fainted right away.  • The awful news spread to friends and relatives, and all of Medina went into deep mourning. • a+b+ People were anguished and felt incessant guilt, that Imam Al‑Husain, had his flesh torn by the swords, and the horrible disfigurement of his body. • The family was devastated, but the people of Medina were calm and collected and they tried to calm them down. Questions, Zainul Abideen and Politics at his Times

4. Name the person who went into seclusion after the events of Karbala and why? • It was Zainul Abideen. • It was Zainab sister of Al-Husain • It was Umm Kulthoom sister of Al-Husain • It was Umm al-Baneen. wife of Al-Husain who lost 4 of her sons in Karbala. Questions, Zainul Abideen and Politics at his Times

5. For what reasons did Zainul Abideen prefer seclusion? • Zainul Abideen shunned dealings in any politics. • He knew he was very closely watched by spies of Yazid for they suspected that he would start an uprising against them. • Therefore, to avoid any suspicion, Imam Zainul Abideen preferred to not communicate even with his supporters. • a+b+c+ Instead, Zainul Abideen asked his uncle, Muhammad Ibn Al‑Hanafiyah to act on his behalf Questions, Zainul Abideen and Politics at his Times

6. What was the strategy of Zainul Abideen? • work in an imperceptible manner as not to raise suspicion, • focus on Karbala and its consequences, • gradually begin to educate people into the genuine Islam and build a base of Piety‑minded community, • a+b+c+ Build a base of scholars to spread the teachings of Islam to the rest of the Ummah, Questions, Zainul Abideen and Politics at his Times

7. Explain the reasons for Medina to revolt against Yazid. • the intensity of the emotions, and deep pain felt for Imam Al‑Husain, coupled with the anger at the atrocities of Yazid's government at Karbala • The guilt feeling grew exponentially. • There was an outcry to rise against Yazid, to topple the government, since it was an illegitimate government. • All the above. Questions, Zainul Abideen and Politics at his Times

8. Who is Marwan? • Marwan was the Secretary of State and source of trouble during the time of Khalifa Uthman, • fought against Imam Ali during Jamal Confrontation, • killed Talha (who was on Marwan's side, also fighting against Ali), and • a+b+c+ Before Karbala, Marwan suggested to the Governor of Medina to arrest Imam Al‑Husain. Questions, Zainul Abideen and Politics at his Times

9. Describe Marwan's status and why he needed protection for himself and family. • Marwan was an adversary to Zainul Abideen and Ahlul Bayt, • Now that he and other members of Benu Umayya were chased by the mutinous people of Medina, • Marwan wanted to leave them in safety, in Medina, yet everyone refused him. • a+b+c+ As many as 400 of were at stake, and in desperation, so Marwan proceeded to Zainul Abideen, who welcomed him wholeheartedly even though Marwan was his foe. Questions, Zainul Abideen and Politics at his Times

10. How did Zainul Abideen treat Marwan’s folks? • Zainul Abideen welcomed them all as his valued guests, • and all 400 were fed, had the facilities at their disposal, and made to feel at home, • a+b+ This went on for several weeks until matters of Medina were settled. • This went on for several years until matters of Medina were settled.  Questions, Zainul Abideen and Politics at his Times

11. Discuss the aftermath of the revolt of Medina. • Having won the battle, Yazid's army played havoc in Medina.  Yazid's fighters were given freedom to do anything they pleased for 3 days.  So: • Property was pilfered, numerous ordinary citizens killed in cold blood, and • a+b+ Women assaulted! • a+b+c+ Women were taken as captives to Damascus Questions, Zainul Abideen and Politics at his Times

12. What other set backs took place of the revolt in Medina? • More than 1750 Companions of the Prophet lost their lives, • Besides, a number from Benu Hashim's family were killed • a+b+ As well as more than 90 highly respected men from Quraish and about 90 from men of the Ansaars. • a+b+c+ As well as more than 900 women from Quraish and 1250 from the Ansaars lost their lives. Questions, Zainul Abideen and Politics at his Times

13. Describe Ibn Zubair's uprising. • Ibn Zubair was the grandson of Khalifa Abu Bakr; and his father was Zubair, a notable Companion. • Ibn Zubair coveted the Khilaafah and yearned for it. • He was well known to the people of Medina, Hijaz and other areas.  He was of the mercurial nature, an opportunistic kind of a man, and very stingy.  People knew that. • All the above Questions, Zainul Abideen and Politics at his Times

14. What course of life did Ibn Zubair take? • Ibn Zubair was agitating in Medina, but when the revolt failed, he escaped to Mecca • He was able to gain the loyalty of the people in Mecca, and declared his claim to Khilaafah challenging Yazid. • A+b+ As a result, Yazid's army met him in battle in Mecca. But then and there Yazid died. • A+b+c+ Yazid’s army conquered Mecca and played havoc with its population Questions, Zainul Abideen and Politics at his Times

15. In what manner did Marwan die? • By shear use of force, aligning with some tribes, Marwan became a Khalifa. • But only 9 months later, Marwan's wife chocked him to death by putting a pillow on his face and sitting on it. • At this time, Ibn Zubair's rule was all over Arabia, Yemen, and south of Syria. • a+b+c+ Also there was a revolt in Iraq against Benu Umayya's rule, to take revenge for Imam Al‑Husain. Questions, Zainul Abideen and Politics at his Times

16. What happened after Marwan was killed by his wife? • Once Marwan was killed, his son Abdul Malik proclaimed himself as the ruler or Khalifa. • Abdul Malik was a shrewd but capable administrator, • He was a tough person taken to violence.  His domain by this time was only Syria, the rest of the Islamic territories were in the hands of others. • a+b+c+ His forces gradually prevailed after killing Ibn Zubair. Questions, Zainul Abideen and Politics at his Times

17. Who are the Tawwaboon? • People in Kufa felt they had betrayed Imam Al‑Husain in the ugliest way possible. • The intensity of their guilt feeling escalated to new heights; and they wanted to correct the error. • To correct their error many people wanted to take action. • a+b+c+ This gathered steam, and in about 4 years after Karbala the people took up arms.  Questions, Zainul Abideen and Politics at his Times

18. Describe the outcome of the Tawwaboon. • The revolting people were called Al‑Tawwaboon, meaning the repenters. • Vowing to fight unto death, they marched toward a Syrian force headed by Ibn Ziyad (the killer of Imam Al‑Husain) and a ferocious battle took place. • Ibn Ziyad was near defeat when Syrian reinforcements poured in at a steady stream. • a+b+c+ Being so outnumbered, the Tawwaboon continued to fight until almost everyone of them was killed (as many as 16,000). Questions, Zainul Abideen and Politics at his Times

19. Who is Al‑Mukhtar? • Al-Mukhtar was a follower of Ahlul Bayt. And numerous people came to his side. It was about 5 years after Karbala • In the beginning Al‑Mukhtar was successful and in a short time all of Iraq came under his rule. • Al‑Mukhtar had connections with Muhammad Ibn Hanafiyah who represented Imam Zainul Abideen. • All the above  Questions, Zainul Abideen and Politics at his Times

20. What did Al-Mukhtar do during his rule? • b+c+ Well supported by the local people, Al‑Mukhtar took advantage of the disintegration of Benu Umayya's power following the death of Yazid. • He laid siege to Kufa, then arrested numerous leaders who fought Husain • Al-Mukhtar had the help of the son of the Ashtar • Al-Mukhtar defeated Abdul Malik and occupied Damascus Questions, Zainul Abideen and Politics at his Times

21. How did Al‑Mukhtar defeat Benu Umayya under the leadership of Ibn Ziyad? • About a year or so of his rule, Al‑Mukhtar confronted a large force from Syria dispatched by Abdul Malik the new Khalifa. • They were 80,000 strong, under the leadership of Ibn Ziyad, the killer of Imam Al‑Husain in Karbala. • a+b+ A fierce battle near Mosul area, led to numerous casualties, especially to the Syrians.  Ibn Ziyad was slain as well as many of his generals, after which their army surrendered. • The Syrian army played havoc with Al-Mukhtar’s forces. Questions, Zainul Abideen and Politics at his Times

22. Discuss the revenge Al‑Mukhtar took against the killers of Imam Husain.     • Al‑Mukhtar scrutinized Kufa and vicinity hunting for everyone who had fought Imam Al‑Husain and participated against him in Karbala. • Shimr, the killer of Imam Al‑Husain, and Omar Ibn Sa'ad, the leader of the forces against Imam Al‑Husain, and numerous others were all arrested. • They were all executed though not in the cruel manner in which they had killed Imam Al‑Husain. • a+b+c+ It is said, most, if not all, of those who fought Imam Al‑Husain were killed, only a matter of a few years after the events of Karbala. Questions, Zainul Abideen and Politics at his Times

23. Explain the end of Al‑Mukhtar's rule.      • There was intrigue behind the back of Al‑Mukhtar. • The forces of Ibn Zubair, under the leadership of his brother, laid siege to Kufa and cut off food supplies to Kufa for sometime. • People were distressed, then revolted and killed Al‑Mukhtar. • a+b+c+ As a result Iraq came under the sovereignty of Ibn Zubair whose rule now extended over all of Arabia, Yemen, Iraq, and the southern part of Syria. Benu Umayya's domain consisted only of Syria proper. Questions, Zainul Abideen and Politics at his Times

24. Who was Abdul Malik? • Abdul Malik was a renegade from Benu Umayya • Abdul Malik inherited the Khilaafah after his father was chocked to death by his wife. • Abdul Malik was the King of Iraq and Arabia after his father was chocked to death by his wife • Abdul Malik was the great general against Al-Mukhtar. Questions, Zainul Abideen and Politics at his Times

25. How did Abdul Malik Deal with Ibn Zubair • To subdue Ibn Zubair, Abdul Malik sent a large force under Al‑Hajjaj Al‑Thaqafi's leadership. • A fierce and ferocious battle broke out in Mecca, and again the sacred Ka'ba was hit with large stones by catapult! • Ibn Zubair's forces were no match, and his forces disintegrated. • a+b+c+ It is said because he was so stingy in paying his fighters, they left him rather than risk their lives for such a man!  Ibn Zubair was finally killed with only few loyalists fighting by his side. Questions, Zainul Abideen and Politics at his Times

26. Describe Al‑Hajjaj. • Al‑Hajjaj was promised the Governorship of Iraq if he succeeded in subduing the rebellious Iraqis. • With that in mind, Al‑Hajjaj started by terrifying the people.  Al‑Hajjaj was a sworn enemy to any sympathizer to Ahlul Bayt, and he killed even Companions of the Prophet because of that! • Such sympathizers were targeted as potential enemies of the State. • All the above Questions, Zainul Abideen and Politics at his Times

27. What did Al‑Hajjaj do in Iraq? • It is said that as many as 250,000 people perished at his hands. • Al‑Hajjaj was so hated, that afterwards he had to build a new town (Wasit) to make it the capital of the province. • a+b+ He had to utilize only loyal Syrian Arabs to form the bulk of his forces.  No Iraqi would be on his side, neither did he trust them. • Al-Hajjaj was a lover of Ahlul Bayt Questions, Zainul Abideen and Politics at his Times

28. Give an example of Al-Hajjaj cruelty. • Al‑Hajjaj even put men and women in tiny cells of prison, so tiny they had to stand side by side like a bundle; no space for sitting, and • a+ In the heat of summer he ordered to pour hot ashes on the prisoners’ heads, to let them die! • The dictatorship of Al-Hajjaj was the cause of Syrian revolts. • The dictatorship of Al-Hajjaj was the cause of Egyptian revolts. Questions, Zainul Abideen and Politics at his Times

29. What did Al‑Hajjaj do to some Sahaaba and to Qanbar? • During his governorship, Al‑Hajjaj managed to kill such Sahaaba (Companions) as Ibn Jubair, and Aamir Abu Tufail, • He also killed the aged Qanbar, the servant and devotee of Imam Ali, • He killed others because each of them refused to curse or condemn • Imam Ali! • a+b+c+ Abu Tufail was the last of the Sahaaba left. Questions, Zainul Abideen and Politics at his Times

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