Questions about Al-Baaqir

1. Questions about Al-Baaqir Politics at his time 26 Questions A.S. Hashim, MD

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, Al-Baaqir, and Politics at his time

3. Give a historical perspective of Al‑Baaqir's life‑time. • Al Baaqir was born during the reign of Mu'awiya son of Abu Sufyan, • witnessed Karbala during Yazid's reign, • lived through the Khilaafah of ten rulers of Benu Umayya. • a+b+c+ Benu Umayya's rule was not acceptable to the pious. Questions, Al-Baaqir, and Politics at his time

4. Explain the reason for the tension between Al‑Baaqir and Benu Umayya. • Al Baaqir was emphasizing the Shari'ah and piety as the basis • Fearful for their position, Benu Umayya held Al Baaqir as a suspect. • Benu Umayya knew they came by force so they were anxious to hold to power at any cost. • a+b+c+ Therefore, Benu Umayya did not take lightly to Ahlul Bayt (who shunned them). Questions, Al-Baaqir, and Politics at his time

5. Name the one who spearheaded the Piety‑minded drive and the one who built it up. • Zainul Abideen spearheaded the Piety minded drive and Al Baaqir built on it. • Al Baaqir spearheaded the Piety minded drive and Al-Hasan built on it. • Al-Husain spearheaded the Piety minded drive and Al Baaqir built on it. • Fatima spearheaded the Piety minded drive and Al Baaqir built on it. Questions, Al-Baaqir, and Politics at his time

6. Give a bird’s eye view of Benu Umayya • Though they were dictatorial monarchs, some of Benu Umayya were also accomplished administrators, • others expansive, yet some of them unusually arrogant and mean. • Some of them were playboys of the time, others just pleasure loving, and some of them very stingy. • a+b+c+ But one of them was very good, Omar Ibn Abdul Aziz Questions, Al-Baaqir, and Politics at his time

7. Explain the background of Mu'awiya. • Mu'awiya was hostile to Islam for the first 28 years of his life. • Mu'awiya was psychologically affected by the loss of his grandfather, great-uncle, and uncle at Badr Battle. • His mother, Hind, was the one who chewed on the liver of Hamza who was killed in battle. Al Hamza was the uncle of the Prophet (pbuh) • a+b+c+ Mu'awiya became Muslim only after the Muslims had occupied Mecca. Thus he was called of the Tulaqaa', a term he never forgot, it gave him an inferiority complex. Questions, Al-Baaqir, and Politics at his time

8. Describe some points that characterized Mu'awiya as a Muslim. • Mu'awiya was appointed as governor of Syria by Omar. • Mu'awiya cleverly cultivated the royalty of the local Syrian Arab tribes and gained their devotion • a+b+ Mu'awiya was Governor of Syria for twenty years. He used the Public Funds as he pleased. • Mu'awiya was Governor of Syria for forty years as Khalifa Questions, Al-Baaqir, and Politics at his time

9. Give more points that characterize Mu'awiya as a Muslim. • Mu'awiya defied Khalifa Ali and took up arms against the Khilaafah. • Mu'awiya led a relentless campaign against Ali, culminating in Siffin Battle. • In Siffin Mu'awiya used the Holy Quran as a tool to his advantage. • a+b+c+ After Ali was killed by a Khariji, Mu'awiya took advantage of the moment and proclaimed himself as Khalifa. Questions, Al-Baaqir, and Politics at his time

10. Describe the 4 points that characterized Mu'awiya's good works. • Mu'awiya was instrumental in attaining mastery of the sea power for the Muslims. • Mu'awiya was expansive in Anatolia, laying siege to Constantinople for 4 years then retreating • Mu'awiya had unique diplomatic skill, • a+b+c+ Mu'awiya used the Byzantine system prevalent before his time to manage the Ummah. Questions, Al-Baaqir, and Politics at his time

11. Mention some points that characterized Mu'awiya's bad works. • Mu'awiya challenged the Khilaafah Rashida leading eventually to its destruction (by fighting Imam Ali). • Mu'awiya used deception often, whenever the situation demanded it • a+b+ Mu'awiya poisoned Ibrahim son of Al‑Ashtar. • Mu’awiya killed Al-Husain in Karbala Questions, Al-Baaqir, and Politics at his time

12. Mention some more points that characterized Mu'awiya's bad works. • Mu'awiya killed Imam Al Hasan by way of poison. • He insisted on cursing Imam Ali on the pulpit in Friday Prayers. • He Killed Ibn Huj'r Al Kindi, a revered Sahaabi (Companion), because the Sahaabi would rather die than curse Imam Ali • a+b+c+ He imposed his son Yazid on the Ummah, thus changing the structure of Islam Questions, Al-Baaqir, and Politics at his time

13. Describe the 4 aspects of Yazid's works as a ruler. • The horror at Karbala and desecration of the family of the Prophet (pbuh) • By killing Al Husain the Islamic Ummah was inflamed to no end. • That led to several revolts against Benu Umayya. • a+b+c+ Yazid, indirectly led to intensive works to preserve Islam, and keep its integrity by way of teachings of the Imams. Questions, Al-Baaqir, and Politics at his time

14. Describe Yazid's bad works as a ruler. • Yazid was the responsible person for the massacre of Karbala. • In the revolt of Medina, 1,700 Sahaaba were killed (Companions) among thousands others. • And He let Medina be free for his soldiers to do as they pleased, killing, destroying, and stealing among other things • a+b+c+ Yazid was also in the process of subduing Mecca which had also revolted against him.  The Ka'ba was hit with catapult, its cover burned, and part of it destroyed. Questions, Al-Baaqir, and Politics at his time

15. Evaluate the condition of Ahlul Bayt during the time of Yazid [son of Mu'awiya]. • It was a turbulent time for Ahlul Bayt, they were in mourning for Al-Husain • Zainul Abideen taking to seclusion at first and was mapping out and planning to spearhead the Piety minded drive. • a+b+ Contacts with the many who were revolting against Benu Umayya. • Initiating the Institute of Ahlul Bayt in Medina. Questions, Al-Baaqir, and Politics at his time

16. Describe Marwan's Khilaafah. • Marwan was Khalifa for 9 months, during which he married the wife of Yazid and promised to let Yazid's son be the subsequent Khalifa, but reneged on his promise. • Feeling so betrayed, Marwan's wife chocked him to death by putting a pillow on his face and sitting on it. • Marwan sent forces under Ibn Ziyad to subdue the revolt in Iraq. • a+b+c+ Marwan named his son, Abdul Malik, to be the Khalifa after him. Questions, Al-Baaqir, and Politics at his time

17. Describe Abdul Malik's administrative works. • Abdul Malik had to establish the state first on the basis of all force. • He was firm and dictatorial. At his inauguration he announced that he would rule only by the tip of the sword. • He was known to be: a) miser, b) killer, c) lover of poetry, d) lover of lyrics. • a+b+c+ was a strategist who weathered the uprisings that Yazid's unwise policy caused (Karbala, Medina, and Mecca). Questions, Al-Baaqir, and Politics at his time

18. Describe Abdul Malik's bad works. • Abdul Malik was dictatorial, suspicious, and jealously guarding his throne no matter the price • He appointed Al Hajjaj who had bloody clashes with Ibn Zubair in Mecca, wrecked the Ka'ba, and killed Ibn Zubair who was the grandson of Khalifa Abu Bakr. • As governor, Al Hajjaj showed unparalleled violence in Iraq, and put down Khariji revolts, built Wasit and improved the irrigation canals in Iraq, improving thereby the agricultural yield. • a+b+c+ Increased revenue to the treasury. Questions, Al-Baaqir, and Politics at his time

19. Give an account of Omar's [son of Abdul Aziz] background. • Omar II, as nicknamed, was closely associated with the Piety minded movement at Medina. • He carried out the spirit of the Piety minded policies, and was able to win their support. He was looked to as a model. • a+b+ He tried to model himself on the administration of Omar Ibn Al Khattab, though not blindly. • a+b+c+ He took Khalifa Uthman as his model. Questions, Al-Baaqir, and Politics at his time

20. Explain some good works of Omar II [son of Abdul Aziz]. • Omar II scrupulously accorded the privileges to the old Medina families (Muhajiroon and Ansaar) which were stopped by Banu Umayya • Returned Fadak to Ahlul Bayt. • Ended the cursing of Imam Ali on the pulpits, something that was having profound negative effect on people. • a+b+c+ Corrected many injustices leading to acceptable settlement Questions, Al-Baaqir, and Politics at his time

21. Explain some other good works of Omar II [son of Abdul Aziz]. • Some Christian groups had their tribute reduced. • Church lands in Egypt were freed of certain taxes. • Other illegal taxes in Iran were remitted. • a+b+c+ Some excess taxes already paid were restored. Questions, Al-Baaqir, and Politics at his time

22. Explain the administration of Omar II [son of Abdul Aziz]. • He managed to find effective governors who yet ruled without brutality to the persons of the Muslims, and • abstained from building up private fortunes. • Perhaps his most important policy was one of quietly treating all provinces alike. • a+b+c+ Eliminated wars on most frontiers (which became glorified plundering expeditions). Questions, Al-Baaqir, and Politics at his time

23. Discuss the Islamic Da'wa during the reign of Omar II [son of Abdul Aziz]. • He encouraged general conversion to Islam, be it Arab, Dhimmi or pastoralist groups, notably the Berbers. • Though he disparaged Jihad for plunder, he was eager to persuade frontier princes to become Muslims, if necessary by the lures of interest. • He regulated the Kharaaj along Islamic lines to be fair to all • a+b+c+ With warfare almost eliminated, there being neither revolts nor frontier raids, Omar's treasury stood up well under the considerable demands he made on it by his generous measures. Questions, Al-Baaqir, and Politics at his time

24. How about Ahlul Bayt during the reign of Omar ibn Abdul Aziz? • There was good communication between Muhammad Al Baaqir and Omar Ibn Abdul Aziz. • Letters of advice from Al-Baaqir were well received and acted upon by Omar Ibn Abdul Aziz. • Al Baaqir was busily enlarging upon the Institute (University) of Ahlul Bayt. • a+b+c+ The Piety minded were very effective in these days. Questions, Al-Baaqir, and Politics at his time

25. Explain Hisham's [son of Abdul Malik] person. • Hisham was greedy, cross eyed, uncomely, and bad looking. • He was stone hearted, rough and tough, without tact or discretion. He loved to accumulate wealth, but also used that to build. • a+b+ Since He was a miser, many people followed his suit, therefore charities decreased so much that livelihood was very difficult for the impoverished and disadvantaged people. • a+b+c+ He loved horse racing, and was reputed to have 40,000 horses. Questions, Al-Baaqir, and Politics at his time

26. Explain Hisham's [son of Abdul Malik] works. • Hisham was also dictatorial but a capable administrator. • He enhanced and strengthened the outposts at the frontiers and Muslims expanded into the Sind territory in India • There were further advances in Spain, up to 50 miles south of Paris. • a+b+c+ the Musaadarah: The governors and heads of financial bureaus were under temptation to enrich themselves at the expense of the treasury. More so now. Questions, Al-Baaqir, and Politics at his time

27. Discuss Hisham's [son of Abdul Malik] bad works. • People resented him very much, calling him, his brothers, and father as: the despised. • Unlike his father, Hisham shunned the Piety-minded in Medina. • Being highly suspicious and paranoid, Hisham schemed against Imam Al Baaqir. • a+b+c+ Hisham's tight fiscal measures provoked numerous revolts, which in some areas (notably among the Berbers) took on a Khariji form. Questions, Al-Baaqir, and Politics at his time

28. Describe the condition of Ahlul Bayt during the reign of Hisham. • Under Al Baaqir's leadership the Islamic Institute of Ahlul Bayt was a magnate, reaching new heights, attracting many scholars. • a+ About 300 scholars graduated from the Institute, who wrote 100 books. • a+b+ Imam Al Baaqir was elected to be the Khalifa after Hisham • Ja'far Al Saadiq participated in a revolt against Hisham Questions, Al-Baaqir, and Politics at his time

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