The role of Saqifa and the first two rulers of Islam in laying down the groundwork for killing of Imam Husain (a.s.) is well-established. Even Muslim scholars have acknowledged this fact.
Famous Ahle Tasannun scholar, Ziya al-Deen Ibn Athir al-Jazari – younger brother of the more famous Izz al-Deen Ibn Athir – author of Al-Kamil, documents:
Know that Husain (a.s.) was not killed on the Day of Karbala, he was killed on the Day of Saqifa.
- Al-Washiyya al-Marqoom fi hall al-Manzoom p 383
Even so, there was one specific decision by the second ruler – Umar Ibn Khattab – that led directly to the massacre of Karbala.
The Plague That Triggered Everything
It all began with a plague, the first one to affect the Muslim community i.e. the plague of Amwaas (Emmaus) in Palestine, modern day Syria.
The Amwaas area of Palestine, close to Jerusalem, was conquered by the Muslim Army at the time of the second ruler 18 years after hijra. The region was captured in a battle against the Romans (Byzantines), who previously held control over it.
Amwaas city was quite crucial because it was a central city for the Roman soldiers, for salary disbursal, to receive the ruler’s instructions, among other strategic / administrative functions, and therefore when the Muslim army conquered it, it was a significant victory for them.
The administrator of the second ruler in the Amwaas region was none other than Abu Ubaydah al-Jarrah, a companion of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.). Abu Ubaidah was a staunch supporter of the first two rulers and his crucial role in Saqifa in swinging the opinion in favour of the two rulers is well-documented. He remained an important individual for them for successfully diverting the caliphate from Ameerul Momineen (a.s.), after the Holy Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.) martyrdom.
Similarly, he is known as one of the supposed ten companions assured of Paradise according to Hadith al-Asharah al-Mubashharah. According to a reliable narration in the Muslim sources, the second ruler says that if Abu Ubaidah was alive after me, I would have made him the caliph. This Abu Ubaidah al-Jarrah became the commander of the Amwaas area, close to Jerusalem in Palestine today.
Unfortunately for the Muslims, this plague began to spread, thousands began to fall. The second ruler was in Medina. When he heard this, he took off for the area. On reaching the outskirts he met some heads of the Muslim Army and ‘elites’ like Amr Ibn Aas, Yazid Ibn Abi Sufyan, Khalid Ibn Waleed and Abu Ubaidah al-Jarrah. Suhail Ibn Umair was also among them – the same Suhail who stood against the Prophet of Islam (s.a.w.a.) in the Treaty of Hudaibiyya.
They updated Umar on the plague situation and that many people were dying as the plague was spreading rapidly. Umar ordered Abu Ubaidah al-Jarrah – leave, come with me, we’re going back to Medina.
Abu Ubaidah: How can I leave the troops? How can I just abandon them?
Umar: I’m telling you we must leave and go back.
Abu Ubaidah: Are you running away from the decree of Allah?
Umar: I’m disappointed you say such a thing I wish someone else said such a thing like this not you, I’m running away from the decree (qaza) of God towards the destiny (qadr) of God.
Abdul Rahman Ibn Awf another companion of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said – I heard the Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.a.) say that – when you hear of a plague in a particular city don’t enter it and if you are inside, it don’t go outside, don’t leave the city.
Abu Ubaidah said – I’m staying here I’m not leaving the troops.
Umar left and after reaching Medina wrote a letter to Abu Ubaidah urging him to come back, but he refused. Eventually Abu Ubaidah dies from the plague.
After him, Maaz Ibn Jabal, another companion assumes the leadership of the area. Maaz and his family die from the plague.
After Maaz, Yazid Ibn Abi Sufyan, the brother of Muawiyah, the son of Abu Sufyan is given the governorship of that region. Yazid Ibn Abi Sufiyan also gets infected with this plague and when he’s about to die he says – I give the governorship to my brother Muawiya. Muawiya takes over the governorship of the region after Yazid Ibn Abi Sufyan.
In Medina, the second ruler receives the news of Yazid Ibn Abi Sufyan’s death. He takes off towards the region. Over there, he affirms Muawiya Ibn Abi Sufyan as the governor of the region.
This is a delicate moment in Islamic history and a turning point for many crucial events till Muawiya’s death and beyond.
- Tarikh al-Tabari v 13 (English Translation) The Middle Years Of Umar’s Caliphate 636—642 A.D. / 15-21 A.H.
Karbala’s events, occurring around 50 years after the Prophet Muhammad’s death, are a critical point in Islamic history. In a calm, academic discussion, one can trace the timeline leading to this event before Yazid’s involvement. The plague of Amwaas and Umar’s decision to appoint (affirm) Muawiya’s appointment as Governor of Palestine is a key event in the lead up to Karbala many years later.
Should Umar have appointed Muawiya for Palestine?
Despite repeated warnings from Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) about Muawiya, Abu Sufyan, and the dangers of the Banu Umayyah assuming power, these events still unfolded. The Banu Umayyah were able to consolidate their strength and assume control with the help of the first three rulers – the third ruler Usman was himself from Bani Umayyah.
The starting point was undoubtedly the appointment of Yazid Ibn Abi Sufyan as Palestine governor, followed by Muawiya’s appointment, decisions in which Umar’s role was instrumental.
Curse of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.)
While the Muslim nation is divided on cursing (laanat), there are certain well-established reports on cursing that are hard to ignore – one of these reports involves Muawiya.
It is recorded once the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) saw Abu Sufyan riding a camel, his son, Yazid, leading the camel, and Muawiya following the camel.
He (s.a.w.a.) supplicated: Allah’s curse be on the rider, the leader leading the camel and the follower.
- Al-Isabah fi Tamiz al-Sahabah v 5 p 480
- Tarikh al-Tabari v 11 p 357
- Tarikh Abil Fida v 2 p 57
- Tazkerah al-Khawaas p 115
This is a well-documented narration that is famous among the Muslim community today and it is obvious that companions of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) were also likewise aware of this tradition. And being a ruler of the Muslims, supposedly the most learned companion of the time, Umar Ibn Khattab, was presumably aware of this report and should have considered it before appointing Muawiya as the governor of Palestine.
Soft Corner For Bani Umayya
Not only do we find Umar appointing Muawiya as governor of Palestine, but he also apparently had a soft corner for Bani Umayya as this exchange shows.
On the death of Yazid Ibn Abi Sufyan in the Amwaas plague, Umar while seated alongside Abu Sufyan, offered him condolences.
Abu Sufyan to Umar: Who have you placed after my son?
Umar: Your other son Muawiya.
Abu Sufyan: You have done a good thing and have upheld the good relations between us.
- Tarikh al-Tabari v 13 (English Translation) The Middle Years Of Umar’s Caliphate 636—642 A.D. / 15-21 A.H.
Rocking The Muslim Nation
Unfortunately, the problems that transpired under Muawiya’s reign rocked the Muslim nation, but this was only to be expected from Bani Umayya, as forecasted by the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.).
Umar was informed about Muawiya’s perverted habits viz. consuming alcohol, wearing silk, accepting interest (usury), all strictly forbidden for Muslims. However, Umar chose to ignore it. Muslims reported this to him and demanded that it was not acceptable. Umar replied – he’s from the Quraish, I cannot deal with him.
Umar gave Muawiya a free hand with these words – I will not tell you what to do nor prohibit you from anything.
Umar was supposedly a strict ruler, holding all his governors accountable, but he did not hold Muawiya accountable. On the contrary, Muawiya was a law unto himself.
It is reported Umar did not give a long leash to any governor / administrator and replaced them regularly so as to loosen their grip on power. But he did not replace Muawiya which allowed him to consolidate his hold over Syria.
With passage of time, Muawiya grew more powerful. He spread his rule through invasion, and he was given command of more land, making him stronger. He amassed tremendous wealth through unfair means. Acting on Islam was the least of his concerns, rather obliterating the religion of Islam was the most evident aim of his rule, going by his actions.
Muawiya killed the Sahaba of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) viz. Ammar, Khuzaima Ibn Thabit, Imam Hasan (a.s.), Amr Ibn Hamiq al-Khuzai, Hujr Ibn Adi, among others. He fabricated / misappropriated traditions of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.). He shredded the peace treaty that he had signed with the grandson of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) i.e. Imam Hasan (a.s.). He precipitated the tragedy of Karbala by appointing his son Yazid as the ruler to succeed him, in clear violation of the peace treaty that was signed with Imam Hasan (a.s.).
Therefore unfortunately, the plague of Amwaas resulting in appointment of Muawiya as governor of the region, was an incident in Islamic history that led to not only the massacre on the 10th of Muharram in Karbala, but also led to the destruction of the Kaaba and the violation and the sanctity of Medina, amongst the many crimes of Yazid Ibn Muawiya.