Al-Saadiq and Politics at his Time

1. Al-Saadiq and Politics at his Time By A.S. Hashim. MD

2. In this slide show: • Discussed in this Slide Show: • Political happenings during Al-Saadiq's lifetime • Al-Saadiq was witness to: • The need for Islamic knowledge, specified and categorized • The waning of Benu Umayya Power • The advent of Benu Abbas Power • Much social upheavals • The building of Baghdad

3. In Sermon 97, page 143,Ali points to Ahlul Bayt:

4. Al-Saadiq Chronology • Ja'far Al‑Saadiq was: • born during the reign of Abdul Malik son of Marwan, • lived through the mightiest period, then the impotence, of Benu Umayya's rule, • witnessed the disintegration of the Khilaafah of Benu Umayya, • lived through some of the severest upheavals of the Ummah, and finally, • witnessed not only the extinction of Benu Umayya's rule, but also the rise of Benu Abbas' rule.  • Al‑Saadiq's life span stretched for 48 years through Benu Umayya's rule and 17 years through Benu Abbas' rule.

5. Al-Saadiq Witnesses: • Al-Saadiq lived throughout • the most oppressive period of Benu Umayya's rule, • then witnessed the dynasty's deterioration and decay, • And the stunning revolts against Benu Umayya; which finally dealt the death blow to them and to their strangle‑hold on the Islamic Ummah. • Al‑Saadiq witnessed the rise of Benu Abbas and the initial euphoric and enthusiastic period. • These years of turmoil gave Al‑Saadiq unique opportunities to tirelessly work for Islam, unhampered. • For the first 48 years of his life Al‑Saadiq was contemporary to 10 Khalifas of Benu Umayya. • For the last 17 Years of his life, Al-Saadiq was contemporary to 2 Khalifas of Benu Abbas.

6. Al-Saadiq Observes • When Islam expanded to cover vast areas of the Middle East, the local people welcomed the Muslims as liberators: • to relieve them from their oppressive rulers, • heavy taxation, and • to bring about social reforms, with justice as its basis. • People looked forward to the new dynamic Islam to instill the new order of justice and treat people with equity. • This was more or less the case during the rule of the Al‑Khulafaa Al‑Rashidoon • a period when the primacy of Islam over all customs was asserted.

7. Setbacks Caused by Benu Umayya • When Benu Umayya took over however, several setbacks took place mainly from, • administrative, • economic, and • social point of view. • From the administrative point of view there were the following factors: • Expansion continued during their early rule, • But this expansion halted completely a few decades later.

8. Set Backs Caused by Economic Policy Setbacks of the Economic Policy of Benu Umayya were: • The lion's share of the treasury (from the Jiziah and Ushr) was spent on the Syrians, and more so the administration, • There were many increases in the rate of taxation: • Return of the taxes as previously levied by the Persian Empire, as reinstated by Mu'awiya, • Taxation, Tributes, or Surcharges on: • manufactured goods, • various professions, • marriage contracts, • presenting subpoenas,

9. Set Backs Caused by Economic Policy Further Setbacks of the Economic Policy of Benu Umayya were: • Duties on Nowrooz and other ceremonial observances. (Jah'shiari.  Also The Venture of Islam, Marshall Hodgson, Vol. 1, Page 269. Also Al‑Tibari, Vol. 8, Page 139.) • There were blunders at some borders, mainly for the sake of procuring booty, • As the number of people accepting Islam increased, some governors (like Al‑Hajjaj) discouraged people from embracing Islam, just for the purpose of collecting more taxes (Jiziah), • Neglect of the public works in far away provinces. • All this heightened the resentment by the public, the average man, and especially the converts to Islam.

10. Social Setbacks caused by Benu Umayya Setbacks of the Social Policy of Benu Umayya were: • Benu Umayya's rule was not by Shoora as Islam had enjoined, they proved unworthy men religiously, many of whom had severe moral weaknesses, • There were various degrees of brutal subjugation of civilian population, especially in Iraq, • By deliberate design Benu Umayya's rulers encouraged race favoritism, they: • preferred Syrian Arabs over the Iraqi Arabs, then • preferred Iraqi Arabs over the Ansaar and Muhajiroon of Medina, and • preferred those of Medina to all Converts to Islam (Mawaali),

11. Social Setbacks caused by Benu Umayya Further Setbacks of the Social Policy of Benu Umayya • Benu Umayya regarded the Mawaali (Converts to Islam) as second class citizens, • Benu Umayya's constant harassment of Ahlul Bayt was deeply resented by the citizens, and • Benu Umayya's condemnation and cursing of Imam Ali as a State policy over the pulpits was deeply resented and loathsome to most people.

12. Al-Saadiq’s Reaction • Since there was much social change and pressing need to explain Islam, • Al‑Saadiq as well as his father and grandfather before him spared no effort to offer that education to the people. • Al‑Saadiq often explained: • the Islamic point of view about oppression, injustices, equality, • quest of knowledge, integrity, telling the truth, and • refinement of character, among other things. • People compared what Al‑Saadiq was teaching to what they were experiencing at the hands of Benu Umayya, and they resented the government even more. • People could easily detect the numerous bad in the imperial autocratic government ruling over them versus the ideals Islam was enjoining.

13. Al-Saadiq’s Reaction • Al‑Saadiq would emphasize the Islamic cardinal rule of Enjoining the Good and Preventing the Evil. • Al‑Saadiq's position was solid and unshakable, there was no compromise. • Al‑Saadiq's knowledge shed Islamic light on many aspects • He pointed out the profanity of the rulers or • The profanity of their appointees, and • Often their immoral ways. • He put numerous Islamic points in focus and clarified them, • and people of various thoughts appreciated the clarifications Al‑Saadiq brought forth.

14. The Weakening of Benu Umayya Rule • Within a few years of Al‑Saadiq's Imamah Benu Umayya's rule became weak. • Benu Umayya's administration reeled under: • the frequent social unrest against them, • the economic demands, • the bad behavior of the rulers, and • the incompetence of some of them.  

15. Consequence of Weak Benu Umayya Rule • Weak Benu Umayya Rule resulted in: • halting the spy-works (the Secret Service against Ahlul Bayt) • Thus leaving Al‑Saadiq free to teach freely and unhampered. • Thus the Institute of Ahlul Bayt flourished and vastly expanded. It was the golden age for it. • And the more people wanted to learn, the more Al‑Saadiq was ready to give, • tirelessly, eagerly, • and without complaints.

16. The Underground Movement • Al‑Saadiq had been the Imam for seven years when his uncle, Zaid Ibn Ali, declared a revolt in Iraq against Benu Umayya • their regime was too un‑Islamic for him to accept. • Many years before, Zaid was advised by his brother, (Al-Baaqir): • not to rely on Iraqis, and if he did he would be killed in Kufa and his decapitated body would be hanged. • Al-Baaqir foretold that Benu Marwan would eventually be toppled by Benu Abbas. 

17. Benu Umayya and Zaid’s Revolt • Benu Umayya dealt with Zaid’s revolt in an extremely harsh way, especially to the person of Zaid. • they not only hanged Zaid's decapitated body in Kufa but left it there for several years, • and this act sent waves of horror all over. • Zaid Ibn Ali was highly revered by all people, • he was a man of great learning, and Abu Hanifa had supported his revolt. • When the revolt was put down the people felt very bitter, extremely offended. • Abu Hanifa was put in jail because of his support of Zaid. • Later Abu Hanifa escaped from jail and left for Medina to join Al‑Saadiq's discourses and teachings at the Institute of Ahlul Bayt.

18. Benu Umayya and Yahya’s Revolt • Within one to two years of Zaid’s revolt, Yahya (the son of Zaid), also revolted, but in Persia. • Yahya’s revolt was also put down by Benu Umayya, • and his body was treated in the same grotesque manner as his father's. • Yahya was also a highly regarded person. • The death of both Zaid and his son Yahya lay very heavy on the Ummah, • but more so on Al‑Saadiq, who mourned them, • it was too much for him to take, knowing their piety, deep Islamic knowledge, spirituality, and holiness.

19. Ways to Get Rid of Benu Umayya • With all of the revolts taking place, • and the people vividly remembering Karbala, • plus Benu Umayya's ruthless administration, • an underground movement started to take shape. • The aim was to get rid of Benu Umayya by whatever means, once and for all. • The perpetrators were a few members of Benu Abbas and some descendants of Imam Al‑Hasan. • According to many narrations Al-Saadiq was in a meeting in which Al-Hasan's descendants were present, along with Al‑Saffah and Al‑Mansoor (of Benu Abbas). • They were discussing and planning the Khilaafah after Benu Umayya would be toppled.

20. Al-Saadiq Predicts Correctly • Contrary to the prevailing expectations • Al-Saadiq accurately foretold that Benu Abbas would be the rulers of the Ummah and not Al-Hasan's progeny. • No one ever believed him at the time. • Al-Saadiq's predictions proved accurate to the minutest detail. • Al‑Saadiq did not want to take part in the movement, • for he knew well the people's psychology and their infatuation with power. • Besides, Al‑Saadiq preferred to continue to pump vigor in the Institute of Ahlul Bayt, since that very time‑period was ideal for the growth and vitality of the Institute.

21. Plan of the Revolt Against Benu Umayya • The plan of the general revolt was clever, and it took some time to implement. • The leaders appointed agents, spokesmen, and delegates, each with certain powers. • These spokesmen were to go to far away areas, where the disadvantaged and the Mawaali formed the majority, • to announce in secret the need for a revolt. • The mission was to plead the cause of Ahlul Bayt, and come to their patronage, • and to revenge the brutal treatment Benu Umayya had inflicted on Ahlul Bayt. The call was: To champion Ahlul Bayt and uphold them. للرضا من آلِ محمد

22. The Circumstances of the Revolt • At this very time Benu Umayya's government was rife with troubles. • The many revolts against them had exposed their evil mettle to the public, • Their bad administration earned them none but contempt. • Even the garrisons they erected in many parts of the country were regarded as alien, so they were despised. • Besides, the teachings of Ahlul Bayt had exposed their evil ways: • their excessive ruthlessness and cruelty, • Their immoral behavior (more so in the Khalifa's courts), and • their arrogance, egotism, and narcissism of some. • The public was also aware of the distortions of the Hadith which produced much confusion.

23. The Clan of Benu Umayya then • Besides, Benu Umayya clan fought among themselves. • The clan was about 40,000 by then, split into many factions, • each clamoring for the splendor of the Khilaafah and the uncanny social standing, luxuries and high comfort living. • Benu Umayya went in battle against each other, so that at one time about 18,000 fell as casualties (Al-Bidaaya and Nihaaya, Ibn Katheer.). • And while this was taking place, there came about uprisings in, • Arabia proper where in Medina they dismissed their Governor, • an uprising in Egypt, • an uprising in Jordan, • two an uprisings in Syria Proper, and • one uprising in Palestine(Seerah of the twelve Imams, H. M. Al-Hassani, Vol. 2, Page 228.).

24. The Revolt and Abu Muslim • Abu Muslim, a Persian, was a shrewd person who sided with Benu Abbas. • He was a skillful leader who played the game of politics exceptionally well. • He was no different than Mu'awiya in: • dealing and wheeling, • undermining, and cutting • bribing, and • making alliances with people in sensitive positions. • Abu Muslim was also: • cruel to his adversaries, • a killer, and • somewhat bloodthirsty man.

25. The Revolt and Abu Muslim • Abu Muslim Al-Khurasani declared his call in the name of Ahlul Bayt. • Having heard that the call was in support of Ahlul Bayt • The people rose impatiently, enthusiastically, and energetically. • They took up arms for a major revolt against their hated Benu Umayya, • Benu Umayya were the very ones who had ruthlessly ruled them • Benu Umayya ruled at the expense of the common man. • The revolting Mawaali were the majority, • The Mawaali were the ones who had converted to Islam • and whom Benu Umayya looked down upon, denying their rights. • They were the ones regarded by Benu Umayya as second class citizens.

26. The Revolt and Benu Abbas • The forces of Abu Muslim continued to expand and make headway. • They conquered a large area of Khurasan of Persia, • then they expanded and moved towards Iraq. • Benu Abbas were instrumental in this, with their representatives active, stirring the emotions for Ahlul Bayt, and to topple of Benu Umayya. • However, Benu Abbas' spokesmen never mentioned who of Ahlul Bayt was to be in charge afterwards, or who was going to be the next Khalifa. • The trick was clever, since the majority were assuming that Al‑Saadiq, was the very person who was expected to be the Khalifa. • They thought that the revolt was not only against Benu Umayya but for Al‑Saadiq to be the man in charge of the Ummah.

27. In the Meantime, in Iraq • Much of the planning and direction of the new movement was taking place in Iraq. • In Iraq the sympathizers to Ahlul Bayt were numerous, and the new call was like a breath of fresh air to them. • People took up arms, and under a unified leadership their call was to gratify Ahlul Bayt, to make good the wrongs dealt to them by Benu Umayya. • The move was swift, so much so that Iraq soon was no longer under the rule of Benu Umayya. • Benu Abbas were particularly active in Hijaz too. • They frequently raised their voice to plead the cause of Ahlul Bayt.  • People soon came on their side, and swift mobilization took place, • It was administered by Al‑Saffah and Al‑Mansoor, among others.

28. Multiple Revolts Against Benu Umayya Zaap

29. Iraq: At the Zaap River, • Meanwhile, the final ruler of the now enfeebled Benu Umayya, Marwan the Ass (as he was nick‑named by people), • was busy fighting off the Kharijis in Arabia. • As soon as Marwan the Ass prevailed over the Kharijis, • He sped toward Iraq, though quite weakened by now. • It was in Iraq, at the Zaap River, where a prolonged and ferocious battle took place between Marwan's forces and the forces from Iraq.  • The force from Iraq was sent by Al‑Saffah of Benu Abbas, • and it consisted mostly of the sympathizers of Ahlul Bayt, who were sick and tired of Benu Umayya.  • The battle took several days, and it is said that numerous retreating fighters of Benu Umayya forces threw themselves in the flooding Zaap river, and drowned.  • And that is how Benu Umayya lost their rule for good.

30. Marwan the Ass • Along with his family Marwan the Ass fled the pursuing forces, • But he was arrested not too long afterwards in Egypt and put to the sword.  • His family, however, was able to flee from Egypt to Abyssinia, then to Arabia.  • Marwan's two sons were finally captured and executed.  • Thus a harrowing end came to Benu Umayya. (Murooj Al-Dhahab, Al-Mas'oodi, Vol. 3, Page 246.) • The nation took a breather, people were well pleased, • be it Arabs or Mawaali (Converts to Islam), • all except those who were members of Benu Umayya clan or • their patrons, beneficiaries, or opportunists who had unreservedly lived off the Islamic Ummah.

31. The Remnant of Benu Umayya Clan • As for the remnant of Benu Umayya clan, • they were chased and hunted everywhere by Benu Abbas, no matter where they hid or went in disguise.  • Benu Abbas and their loyalists put the sword to their adversaries, and for some time it was a bloody bath, mostly in Syria.  • Benu Abbas went so far as to dig out the graves of all the rulers of Benu Umayya, get the remnants out and burn them, for such was the pent up hatred toward them.  • When Benu Abbas dug out Yazid's grave they found a black line of dust but no remnants, except for one bone.  • They dug up Hisham's body (the one who killed Zaid the pious) and burned the remnants.  • Mind you, disturbing graves in itself is un‑Islamic, but such were the emotions against Benu Umayya. (Murooj Al-Dhahab, Al-Mas'oodi, Vol. 3, Page 207.) 

32. Al-Saadiq was contemporary to: • Abdul Malik, who ruled for 21 years. • Al‑Waleed son of Abdul Malik, who ruled for 9 years. • Suleiman son of Abdul Malik who ruled for 2½ years • Omar son of Abdul Aziz who ruled for 2½ years • Yazid II son of Abdul Malik who ruled for 4 years • Hisham son of Abdul Malik who ruled for 19½ years • Al‑Waleed grandson of Abdul Malik who ruled for 1 years • Yazid III son of Al‑Waleed who ruled for 5 months • Ibrahim, son of Al‑Waleed who ruled for 4 months • Marwan the Ass, as he was named by the people. who ruled for 5 years • Al-Saffah of Benu Abbas who ruled for 4 ½ years • Al-Mansoor of Benu Abbas who ruled for 22 years.

33. Islamic World During Benu Umayya Khilaafah Mediterranean Transoxania Spain Sind Area

34. Al‑Saffah of Benu Abbas • With Al‑Saadiq's refusal to take the Khilaafah, the people were resigned to acknowledge Al‑Saffah as the new ruler, the Khalifa.  • Al‑Saffah ruled for about 4 years • during which time he and his brother Al‑Mansoor made sure to liquidate the powerful sympathizers of Ahlul Bayt.  • Strange, now the new rulers were after the very ones who helped them to victory in the name of gratifying Ahlul Bayt.  • Al‑Saffah and later his brother Al‑Mansoor were exclusively interested in consolidating their rule.  • They turned out not too different from Benu Umayya.  • They also were frightened that their grip on power would soon be toppled by Ahlul Bayt's sympathizers and devotees. 

35. Al‑Saffah of Benu Abbas • Therefore, to consolidate their rule, Al-Saffah and his brother Al-Mansoor made sure to liquidate the leaders of the movement.  • They concentrated on the most prominent leaders, the very ones who were instrumental in gaining them victory.  • They even killed Abu Muslim • in a deceptive and treacherous way, • the man who was such a leader in toppling Benu Umayya.  • They did the same thing with other prominent men. • Within 4 years Al‑Saffah died of small‑pox.  His brother, Al‑Mansoor, took his place as the new Khalifa.

36. Benu Abbas and Al‑Mansoor • The leaders of Benu Abbas were cautious at first.  They needed to, • Consolidate their hold on the Khilaafah, • Experience ruling a whole nation, • Appoint governors and an administrative body, • Appease the sympathizers who felt betrayed by not having one of Ahlul Bayt's leadership, • Give power to the Mawaali (Converts to Islam) to sustain their support, and • To let the members and family of Ahlul Bayt be free in their educational endeavor. • Unlike Benu Umayya, Benu Abbas claimed they represented Islam, that by right the Khilaafah was theirs.  Their policy materialized in such a way that many of their rulers dabbled with Islam itself without sure knowledge about it.

37. As a result • As a result, from now on the times changed fundamentally: • The rulers started to claim that Khilaafah was their right Islamicly, • To gain respect in the eyes of the public, they appointed prominent members of the Piety‑minded community into important if not sensitive positions.  • This was a clever move to appease these influential people. • The Mawaali were given the greatest share in administering the country, • The seat of power moved from Syria to Iraq, and • Ahlul Bayt were free at first, not under surveillance, a nice respite.  • This continued for about 10 years.

38. Meanwhile the Institute of Ahlul Bayt • At this time‑period the Institute of Ahlul Bayt reached its zenith in content, material discussed, and the number of enrollees.  • Abu Hanifa, who was imprisoned by Benu Umayya (due to his support of Zaid Ibn Ali), had escaped prison and joined the Institute for two years.  • Later he endearingly referred to those years by saying, "Were it not for those two years, he would have perished," for such was the Institute's influence on his views, Fiqh, analogy, and the manner of thinking. • As long as there was freedom of expression, the Institute flourished and benefited everyone.  • This freedom continued for a number of years during Benu Abbas initial rule, • But it ended when the Al‑Mansoor reversed his policy a few years later • He put surveillance on the school and the person of Al‑Saadiq in particular, just as Benu Umayya used to do in past years.

39. The Institute graduatesEducational works of Al-Saadiq • During Al-Saadiq’s Imamah, 4,000 Scholars graduated. • Many Scholars of Al-Baaqir continued afterward with Imam Al-Saadiq • The graph shows the growth of the scholars’ numbers • This remarkable growth came only when pressure on Ahlul Bayt eased off

40. Al‑Mansoor the Khalifa • Al‑Mansoor was a man of great insight, and it was due to his efforts that the influence of Benu Abbas endured.  • Al‑Mansoor was an astute politician and able administrator, but was bloodthirsty as an enemy and wouldn't trust anyone.  • He would murder on the slightest suspicion. • Al‑Mansoor, was a 4th generation descendant of Ibn Abbas, (who was the student of Imam Ali and the renowned scholar in Medina).  • In his early years Al‑Mansoor used to be pursued by the now defunct Benu Umayya.  • Al‑Mansoor was hunted by Benu Umayya for his activities against them • He was one of the chief architects of the revolts against Benu Umayya. • Al‑Mansoor was well versed in intrigue and conspiracy, therefore, he learned to be extremely suspicious if not paranoid.

41. Al‑Mansoor Builds Baghdad • At that period in time Kufa was a very large city, • boasting different nationalities, religions, and ideologies.  • Kufa was well known to be the seat of learning of great importance, • Kufa was an intellectual center, boasting people of numerous points of view, but each claiming to be right.  • Kufa was also the seat of intrigue, therefore, Al‑Mansoor wanted to be away.  • He wanted to start fresh, in a far away area.  • Al‑Mansoor therefore decided to build a new city to be the capital of the nation under his rule:  • He built Baghdad.

42.     As to the Specifics of Al‑Mansoor • Al-Mansoor was a highly suspicious or a paranoid man, • a firm but able administrator and the founder of Benu Abbas rule and administration, • very stingy and tightfisted, • autocratic, who used brutal suppression of any opposition or even upon suspicion, • Continued the Khilaafah by inheritance as Monarchy (Caesar‑like), • Built Baghdad, • Al‑Mansoor, being paranoid, was frightened that Al‑Saadiq might call to topple Benu Abbas' regime. • Al‑Mansoor ruled for about 21 years leaving a full treasury. • Al‑Mansoor did not believe in giving a gift just for frivolous requests or reasons.  Many feared him, respected him, but at the same time disliked him.

43. Picture of Al-Baqii Before & After 1925

44. In Conclusion • Political happenings during Al-Saadiq's lifetime • Al-Saadiq was witness to: • The need for Islamic knowledge, specified and categorized • The waning of Benu Umayya Power • The advent of Benu Abbas Power • Much social upheavals • The building of Baghdad

45. Be in Allah’s Care Thank you and May God Bless you. Dr. A.S. Hashim