Karbala: A "Bloody" Consipracy and the Secrets Behind It

Iraqi hypocrites during the era of Sayyidina Uthmaan Radiyallahu 'anhu

The mischief of Iraqi hypocrites during the era of Hadhrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu)

Hadhrat Sa'd bin Abi Waqqas (radhiyallahu anhu), the conqueror of Iraq and one of the ten given the glad tidings of Jannah, was appointed over the people of Kufa in the era of Hadhrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu). Within a short space of time, complaints began reaching Hadhrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) regarding various aspects of his public and private life. They even complained regarding the quality of his Salaah! Hadhrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) thus had him removed from his post and appointed Hadhrat Ammar bin Yasir (radhiyallahu anhu) in his place.

Hadhrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) thereafter summoned Hadhrat Sa'd (radhiyallahu anhu) and questioned him regarding the allegations levelled against him. When asked about his Salaah, he responded, 'By Allah, I led them in Salaah in the manner taught to me by Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) without the slight deviation. I lengthen the first two raka'ats of the 'Isha and shortened the last two. Hadhrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) expressed great happiness at his answers and remarked, 'I thought as much' (i.e I myself did not believe these allegations).

A delegation was also sent to Kufa to enquire from the locals regarding Hadhrat Sa'd (radhiyallahu anhu) and to see how many dislike his rule. To the amazement of the delegation not a single Masjid could be found supporting these allegations. Rather the people had nothing but praise for Hadhrat Sa'd (radhiyallahu anhu). They finally met one man by the name of Usamah ibn Qatadah. He stood up and said, "Since you are asking in the name of Allah, I feel obligated to speak. Sa'd does not take part in military expeditions; he does not distribute the spoils of war fairly, and he is not just in his rulings!"

When Hadhrat Sa'd (radhiyallahu anhu) came to know of what he had said, he remarked, 'I shall make three dua's. O Allah! If this man is lying and is merely trying to gain fame, then lengthen his life, lengthen his poverty, and let him fall into great calamities!' Thereafter, whenever this man would be asked regarding his conditions he would reply, 'Old and in great difficulty. I have been afflicted with the curse of Sa'd!'

Abdul Malik ibn Umair mentioned, I have personally seen this man, with his eyebrows drooping over his eyes due to old age. He would interfere with young girls and poke them as they passed by. (Bukhari/Muslim)

Hadhrat Ammar ibn Yasir (radhiyallahu anhu) was appointed in the place of Hadhrat Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas (radhiyallahu anhu). Within a short period of time, complaints against this most noble Sahabi began reaching Hadhrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) from various quarters of Kufa. Amongst the accusations levelled against this Sahabi was that he was incapable of fulfilling his duties and he was not trustworthy! (Na'audhubillah).

So many complaints reached Hadhrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) regarding him, as though the entire Kufa had turned against him. Hadhrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) thus summoned him to Madinah Munawwarah. A group set out with him on the pretence that they would stand in his defence, but when he reached Madinah Munawwarah he found them worse than the people he had left behind. They complained that Hadhrat Ammaar (radhiyallahu anhu) was incapable of fulfilling his responsibilities, knew nothing of politics, and was totally unaware of what role he had been appointed to fulfil. On seeing their hatred for their leader, Hadhrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) felt it best to remove Hadhrat Ammaar (radhiyallahu anhu) from his post.

Hadhrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) thereafter enquired as to whom they would prefer as a leader. They nominated Hadhrat Abu Musa Ash'ari (radhiyallahu anhu). Hadhrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) acceded to their request. Within a year from the appointment of Hadhrat Abu Musa (radhiyallahu anhu) the complaints began again. As the complaints intensified Hadhrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) sent an order that Hadhrat Abu Musa (radhiyallahu anhu) step down from his post and had him re-appointed in Basrah.

Hadhrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) despite his unique talent in ruling and recognizing the talent and qualities of others, found himself confused as to how he could sort out the affairs of the people of Kufa. He complained to those around him:

"The people of Kufah have rendered me helpless!"

He also said "What is wrong with this group of one hundred thousand, that they are not content with any Amir, nor can any Amir live happily with them?" After deep thought and consultation with those around, Hadhrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) asked Hadhrat Mughira ibn Shu'bah (radhiyallahu anhu) to take up residence in Kufa as its governor. Hadhrat Mughira (radhiyallahu anhu) remained governor over Kufa until the death or Hadhrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu). Just before the death of Hadhrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu), due to complaints received, Hadhrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) maee a decision to appoint Hadhrat Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas (radhiyallahu anhu) once again over the people of Kufa. This decision was regarded as part of his bequest and carried out after gis demise. Hadhrat Mughira (radhiyallahu anhu) remained governor of Kufa for just over two years.

In the place of Hadhrat Mughira (radhiyallahu anhu), Hadhrat Sa'd bin Abi Waqqas (radhiyallahu anhu) was re-appointed. The poisonous environment of Kufa and its surrounding areas however could never allow any leader to stay in peace. Soon after he too was removed and replaced with Walid ibn Utbah. Walid had been a governor from the time of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu anhu) and at the head of numerous conquests in the era of Hadhrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu). Until his appointment in Iraq, he had never been found guilty of any wrong.

Amazingly, as with many leaders before and after him, it was only the people of Iraq who would find something wrong with him. Through the efforts of this odd group of Iraqis he was finally brought to court accused of drinking liquor and being a faasiq (i.e an open transgressor).

The testimony of the Iraqis would always appear to be strong, thus the Caliph would be hesitant in rejecting their word. On the same note however he would neither be too keen to accept it, knowing well that accusations from the people of Iraq had always proven to be false.

These Iraqis exihibited no shame in leveling accusations, and had no regard for any personality. People generally only know of the accusations they had leveled against Yazid, the son of Hadhrat Mu'awiyah (radhiyallahu anhu), branding him an adulterer, a drunkard and even an apostate. The fact of the matter is that they spared none from their poisonous tongues. Yazid was not the first accused of being evil and unjust. This accusation had already been leveld against Hadhrat Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas (radhiyallahu anhu). Yazid was not the firat to be branded as a drunkard. Walid ibn Utbah was accused with the same. Yazid was not the first accused of adultery. This accusation had already been leveled against Hadhrat Mughira ibn Shu'ba (radhiyallahu anhu).

The people of Iraq, as Hadhrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) had rightly said, left no leader exempt from tgeir accusations and false propaganda. However, certain individuals were selected to receive the worst that their tongues could offer. Amongst them were Hadhrat Uthman, Hadhrat Mughira bin Shu'bah, Hadhrat Amr bin Al-Aas, Hadhrat Mu'awiyah, Yazid and in recent times, the last Caliph of the Islamic world, Sultan Abdul Hamid.