JA'FAR AL‑SAADIQ (a.s.)

(JA'FAR IBN MUHAMMAD)

POLITICS AT AL-SAADIQ'S TIMES

AL‑SAADIQ:  0‑65 yrs

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE   

     Ja'far Al‑Saadiq was, a) born during the reign of Abdul Malik son of Marwan, b) lived through the mightiest period, then the impotence, of Benu Umayya's rule, c) witnessed the disintegration of the Khilaafah of Benu Umayya, d) lived through some of the severest upheavals of the Ummah, and finally, e) 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.

     He lived throughout the most oppressive period of Benu Umayya's rule, then throughout the dynasty's deterioration and decay, the massive national revolt against them; which finally dealt the death blow to them and to their strangle‑hold on the Islamic Ummah.  Al‑Saadiq also witnessed the rise of Benu Abbas and the initial euphoric and enthusiastic period.  Thus Al‑Saadiq had the unique opportunity to continue his tireless works for Islam, unhampered.

     For the first 48 years of his life Al‑Saadiq was contemporary to 10 Khalifas of Benu Umayya.

     Al‑Saadiq was born during and lived through the reign of many rulers as shown in the table below:

For the last 17 years of his life Al‑Saadiq was contemporary to 2 Khalifas of Benu Abbas, Al‑Saffah then Al‑Mansoor.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE RULE OF BENU UMAYYA:   

     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 which lasted for 30 years, a period when the primacy of Islam over all customs was asserted.

     Political consideration aside, when Benu Umayya took over, several setbacks took place mainly from, a) administrative, b) economic, and c) social point of view.

 See table below:

AL‑SAADIQ'S REACTION   

     Since Ahlul Bayt were the beacon of Islam, and 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 it.  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.

     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, and pointed out the profanity of the rulers or 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 Imam Al‑Saadiq brought forth.

     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 character of the rulers, and the incompetence of some.  This resulted in halting the works of the government informants (Secret Service) leaving Al‑Saadiq free to teach unhampered.  This is when the Institute of Ahlul Bayt flourished and expanded, a golden age for it.  And the more people wanted to learn, the more Al‑Saadiq was ready to give, tirelessly, eagerly, and without complaints.

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. (Zaid was advised by his brother, Al-Baaqir, many years before, 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.   (See Murooj Al‑Dhahab, Al-Mas'oodi, Vol. 3, Page 206.)  Benu Umayya dealt with the revolt in an extremely harsh way, especially to the person of Zaid.  To frighten the people and prevent them from revolting again, 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 known to be a highly revered person 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.

     Within one to two years Yahya, the son of Zaid, also revolted, but in Persia.  His revolt was also put down, 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—he mourned them, it was too much for him to take, knowing their piety, deep Islamic knowledge, spirituality, and holiness.

     With all of these taking place, and the people vividly remembering Karbala, plus Benu Umayya's foul administration, an underground movement started to take shape.  The conclusion of most people 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.  They were discussing and planning the Khilaafah after Benu Umayya would be toppled.  Contrary to the prevailing expectations Al-Saadiq accurately foresaw and foretold them that Benu Abbas would be the consequent rulers of the Ummah and not Al-Hasan's progeny.  No one ever believed him at the time.  Al-Saadiq's forecast 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 time‑period was ideal for its long term enormous potential.

     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 were the majority, to announce in secret the need for a massive uprising.  The mission was to plead the cause of Ahlul Bayt, come to their patronage, and to revenge the wrongs Benu Umayya had inflicted on them.  The call was: 

To champion Ahlul Bayt and uphold them. للرضا من آلِ محمد

     In the mean time, during these lull years, the Institute of Ahlul Bayt was zooming fast in expansion and refinement and was receiving an ever larger number of enrollees.  Al‑Saadiq was in his forties and was regarded all over as the supreme head of enlightenment and learning.  He was the undisputed master, the Imam, the sagacious, the perceptive.

THE REVOLT   

     At this time period Benu Umayya's government was rife with troubles—they had run out of steam.  The many revolts had exposed their evil mettle to the public, the manner of administration was so one-sided that the general Muslim body had no respect or regard for them.  Even the garrisons which they were forced to erect in many parts of the country were regarded as alien, so they were despised.  Besides, the teachings of Zainul Abideen and Al‑Baaqir, along with the teachings of Al‑Saadiq had continued to inject vitality and had alerted the Ummah to the practices of Benu Umayya:  their excessive cruelty, immoral behavior (more so in the Khalifa's courts), and the arrogance, egotism, and narcissism of some of them.  The public was also aware of the distortions of the Hadith which produced much confusion.

     Beside all this, Benu Umayya clan started to fight among themselves.  The clan was about 40,000 by then, split into many factions, each clamoring for the splendor of the Khilaafah and the huge social prestige, 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, a) Arabia proper where in Medina they dismissed their Governor, b) an uprising in Egypt, c) Jordan, d) two in Syria Proper, and e) one in Palestine (Seerah of the twelve Imams, H. M. Al-Hassani, Vol. 2, Page 228.).

     It was a shrewd person by the name of Abu Muslim who sided with Benu Abbas.  He was very skillful in his leadership and played the game of politics exceptionally well.  He was no different than Mu'awiya in dealing and wheeling, undermining, cutting, bribing, and making alliances with people in sensitive positions.  Abu Muslim was also cruel to his adversaries, a killer, somewhat bloodthirsty.

     Abu Muslim declared his call in the name of advocating for Ahlul Bayt.  People everywhere loved Ahlul Bayt and their principles, therefore once the people heard that the call was in support of Ahlul Bayt they rose up like a pent up hoard, impatient, enthusiastic, and energetic.  They took up arms in a massive revolt against the resented Benu Umayya, the very ones who were sucking their blood and money in order to live in luxury at the expense of the common man.

A good percentage of those revolting were the Mawaali, who had converted to Islam and to whom Benu Umayya paid no heed nor respect let alone give them rights.  They were the Mawaali who were regarded by Benu Umayya as second class citizens.

     The forces under the leadership of Abu Muslim continued to expand and make headway.  They conquered a large area of Khurasan of Persia, a far away area where the revolt had started, then began to expand and at the same time move toward Iraq.

     Benu Abbas were very instrumental in this, with their representatives very active, stirring the emotions of the people to rise up for Ahlul Bayt, and to topple the rule of Benu Umayya.  However, Benu Abbas' spokesmen never mentioned who of Ahlul Bayt was to be in charge of the Ummah afterwards, or who was going to be the next Khalifa.  The trick was clever, since the majority were assuming that Al‑Saadiq, as the head of Ahlul Bayt, 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.

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 all.  People took up arms, became organized under a unified leadership, and their call was to gratify Ahlul Bayt, to correct the wrongs dealt to them by Benu Umayya.  The move was swift, and within a short period Iraq was no longer under the grip of Benu Umayya.

     Benu Abbas were particularly active in Hijaz.  They frequently and strategically raised their voice to plead the cause of, and speak in the name of gratifying Ahlul Bayt.  People soon came on their side, and swift mobilization took place, directed and administered by Al‑Saffah and Al‑Mansoor, among others.

     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 finished the Kharijis off, though weakened by now, he sped toward Iraq.

NOW THEY ANNOUNCE THE KHILAAFAH   

     It was somewhat before this time that Al‑Saffah had announced his Khilaafah, it was the year 132H.  Al‑Saffah was in Kufa then.  Calls for Imam Al‑Saadiq to take the Khilaafah were not answered positively, for Imam Al‑Saadiq knew very well the degree of the loyalty of his contemporaries, the people of his time.  That is why he declined to participate in the happenings or accept the Khilaafah.  He could foresee the unfolding events, and his reasoning decreed against accepting the offer.  Imam Al‑Saadiq was aware of the situation and he preferred to augment the Institute of Ahlul Bayt instead, since in the long run this would bring about authentic Islamic learning of a lasting nature.

MEANWHILE   

     It was in Iraq, at the Zaap River, where a prolonged and ferocious battle took place between Marwan's large 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 disgusted with Benu Umayya.  The battle took several days, and it is said that a good many retreating fighters of Benu Umayya threw themselves in the flooding Zaap river, and drowned.  In this manner Benu Umayya lost this fateful battle.

     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.

     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 and emotions.  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.)

AL‑SAFFAH    

     With Al‑Saadiq's refusal to take the Khilaafah, the people resigned to acknowledge Al‑Saffah as the new ruler, the Khalifa.  Al‑Saffah ruled for about 4 years during which 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.  Therefore, to consolidate their rule, they made sure to liquidate the leaders of those devotees.  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 so effectual 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.

BENU ABBAS AND AL‑MANSOOR   

     Having gone for a long time through a lot of intrigue, the leaders of Benu Abbas were cautious at first.  They needed to, a) consolidate their hold on the Khilaafah, b) experience ruling a whole nation, c) appoint governors and an administrative body, d) appease the sympathizers who felt betrayed by not having one of Ahlul Bayt's leadership, e) give power to the Mawaali (Converts to Islam) to sustain their support, and f) 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 without sure knowledge about it.  As a result, from now on the times changed fundamentally:

1. The rulers started to claim that Khilaafah was their right Islamicly,

2. To gain consideration and 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.

3. The Mawaali were given the greatest share in administering the country,

4. The seat of power moved from Syria to Iraq, and

5. Ahlul Bayt were free at first, without surveillance on them, a nice respite.  This continued for about 10 years.

MEANWHILE THE INSTITUTE OF AHLUL BAYT   

     At this time‑period the Institute of Ahlul Bayt reached its zenith in volume, material discussed, and the number of enrollees.  Abu Hanifa, who had been imprisoned by Benu Umayya due to his support of Zaid Ibn Ali, had escaped prison and joined the Institute to study for two years.  Later he endearingly referred to those pivotal years by saying, "Were it not for those two years, he would have perished or waned," 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, that is until the suspicious and paranoid Al‑Mansoor began to put surveillance on the school and the person of Al‑Saadiq in particular, just as Benu Umayya used to do in past years.

AL‑MANSOOR   

     Al‑Mansoor has been described as the real founder, father, and builder of Benu Abbas' empire.  He was a man of great insight, and it was due to his efforts that the influence of Benu Abbas endured even after they had lost temporal power.  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, the Khalifa by now, was a 4th generation descendant of Ibn Abbas, (Ibn Abbas was the student of Imam Ali and the renowned scholar in Medina).  In his early years Al‑Mansoor used to be chased after and pursued by the now defunct Benu Umayya.  Al‑Mansoor was hunted by them for his activities against them.  As it turned out he was one of the chief architects and coordinators of the revolts against Benu Umayya.

   Al‑Mansoor was well versed in intrigue, conspiracy, and scheming.  Therefore, he learned to be extremely suspicious if not paranoid.

   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, 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.

     Baghdad was well designed, with numerous architects, skillful workers, and artisans coming from different countries.  Skillful workers of all kinds came from many parts of the world, they were needed for this mammoth undertaking.  Baghdad took several years to build and infusion of an enormous amount of money.  But Al‑Mansoor was famous for being tightfisted, a miser, so his hoarding the money paid off.  He was such a miser that people nicknamed him:  Al‑Dawaaniqi, meaning cheapskate and hoarder.

     As to the specifics of Al‑Mansoor, he was:

1. a highly suspicious person, a paranoid man,

2. a firm but able administrator and the founder of Benu Abbas rule and administration,

3. very stingy and tightfisted,

4. autocratic, who used brutal suppression of any opposition or even upon suspicion,

5. continued the Khilaafah by inheritance as Monarchy (Caesar‑like rule), just as Benu Umayya did before, though this was not valid from the Islamic point of view,

6. built Baghdad,

7. within a few years of his rule, Al‑Mansoor used the same surveillance on Ahlul Bayt as Benu Umayya had used beforehand.  Al‑Mansoor was frightened that Al‑Saadiq would call to topple Benu Abbas' regime.

8. Al‑Mansoor ruled for about 21 years and by the time he died he left a full treasury.

9. 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.

QUESTIONS   

1. Give a historical perspective of Al‑Saadiq's life‑time.

2. To how many rulers of Benu Umayya and Benu Abbas was Al‑Saadiq contemporary?

3. List 5 negative administrative points of Benu Umayya rule.

4. Give the reason why the Da'wa was not the official policy of Benu Umayya for 38 years.

5. List the types of taxation levied by Benu Umayya.

6. Give the reason for Al‑Hajjaj to discourage people from embracing Islam.

7. Explain how the average man felt about condemning Imam Ali over the pulpits as required by Benu Umayya.

8. Explain how Benu Umayya's weakened circumstances gave Al‑Saadiq a freehand.

9. Describe the revolt of Zaid Ibn Ali.

10. Describe the uprising of Yahya son of Zaid and the manner in which Benu Umayya dealt with him.  How did the people feel?

11. Discuss the underground movement to topple Benu Umayya.

12. Identify the organizers of the underground movement to topple Benu Umayya.

13. List the countries in which uprisings took place against Benu Umayya.

14. Benu Umayya fought amongst themselves.  What was the casualty figure?

15. Give an account about Abu Muslim.

16. What was the role of Benu Abbas in Arabia and Persia for the uprisings?

17. Benu Abbas called for a revolt in the name of a cause consisting of two points.  Mention the reason for that and its importance.

18. Who declared the Khilaafah, since Al‑Saadiq refused to take part in it?

19. Describe Marwan the Ass.

20. Describe the Zaap Battle and the aftermath for Marwan the Ass and his family.

21. Discuss what Benu Abbas did to the clan of Benu Umayya.

22. Discuss what Benu Abbas did to the graves of Benu Umayya.

23. List the 5 factors needed in the early period of the rule of Benu Abbas.

24. Describe the status of the Institute of Ahlul Bayt at the time of Al-Saffah.

25. Mention 5 points about Al‑Mansoor.