YAZID'S CLAN
After my article "Banu Umayyah in the View of Holy Quran" was published in al-Jawwad magazine last year, many brothers-in-faith from Pakistan requested me to write on all the topics that I had mentioned and compile a book. The following article is partly in compliance of their wishes but since time is short for a detailed write up I shall try to cover as many points as possible in the briefest manner.
Qusayy bin Kilab was the most prominent heir of the Bani Adnan. He lived in the fifth century A.D. He gathered his clan and resettled them once again in Mecca. That is why he is also known as Quraish (one who gathers) and his descendants began to be referred by this name. For details regarding this matter you may refer to Siratun Nabi of Shibli Nomani, Vol. 2, Pg. 188 and Tarikh Rauzatus Safa, Vol. 2, Pg. 13. He passed away in the year 480 A.D.1
Abde Manaf was the son of Qusayy who became the chief of Quraish after Qusayy. When the generation of Abde Manaf moved ahead, Hashim the ancestor of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) was born, whose descendants came to be called as Banu Hashim. Hashim was the great grandfather of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w). In addition to Hashim, Abde Manaf had three other sons, Abde Shams, Muttalib and Naufal .
Hashim and Abde Shams were twins and they were born in such a way that the toes of Hashim
were stuck at the forehead of Abde Shams in such a way that it was not possible to separate
them without causing loss of blood. Thus the toes of Hashim were separated from Abde Sham's
forehead by a sword and Abde Shams bled so much that his whole body was bathed in blood. At
that time soothsayers and astrologers
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1 Tarikh Aaimmah, Maulana Sayyid Ali Haider, Pg. 48
predicted that very soon there would be bloodshed between the descendants of these two as had never been witnessed in history. And this was what happened.1
Umayyah, the progenitor of Banu Umayyah is related to this same Abde Shams. Some people say that Umayyah was not the legitimate son of Abde Shams, he was just a slave boy, who became known as Abde Shams's son as per the Arab convention of that time as Abde Shams had adopted him. The word Umayyah means 'lowly maidservant', which strengthens the above view. However, he was generally known as Umayyah Ibn Abde Shams. The second son of Abde Shams was called Rabi. After Abde Shams the family tree proceeded as follows:
Abde Shams had three issues, Umayyah, Rabi and Abdul Izzi. Umayyah had two sons, Harb and Abul Aas.
Rabi had two sons, Utbah and Shayba.
Harb had a daughter named Umme Jamil, the wife of Abu Jahl and a son named Abu Sufyan. Abul Aas had three sons, Affan (Father of Uthman, the third caliph), Saeed and Hakam. Utbah had a daughter named Hind and a son named Walid.
Abu Sufyan had six children, Amr, Umme Habiba (a wife of the Holy Prophet), Muawiyah, Yazid, Utbah (father of Walid, the governor of Kufa) and Hanzala.
Hakam had three children, Harith, Marwan and Abdur Rahman. Muawiyah had eight children,
Abdur Rahman, Abdullah, Hind, Aaqila, Ayesha, Yazid the accursed, Rehla and Safiya. Yazid the
accursed had two sons, Muawiyah and Khalid.
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1 Ummabatul Ummab, Deputy Nazir Ahmad, Pg. 37,Tartlet) Aaimma, Pg. 53, Rauzatus Safa, Vol. 2, Pg. 13
Apart from this, during the period of Umayyad domination of ignorance an addition was made to this family tree. Zakwan, the slave of Umayyah known by the agnomen of Abu Amr began to be accepted as the son of Umayyah. And in this way in addition to Harb and Abul Aas, Umayyah got a third son free of charge. Thus Abul Faraj Isfahani has written in Aghani Vol. 1 the following episode: When Daghfal the expert of genealogy went to the court of Muawiyah the following conversation took place between them:
Muawiyah: Daghfal, tell me who all you have seen from the elders of Quraish.
Daghfal: I have seen Abdul Muttalib bin Hashim and Umayyah bin Abde Shams.
Muawiyah: Describe to me their appearance, please.
Daghfal: His Eminence, Abdul Muttalib was fair, tall and handsome. The effulgence of prophethood and magnificence of rulership was apparent from his forehead. His ten sons used to surround him from all sides and they all seemed to be like awesome lions.
Muawiyah: okay, now describe the appearance of Umayyah.
Daghfal: He was short, frail, blind and thin old man, who was taken around by his slave, Zakwan.
Muawiyah: Enough! Enough! He was not his slave, he was his son Abu Umar.
Daghfal: Now you people have begun to say this and it is a later invention. I have told the facts that I know about him.1
Anyway, whatever may be the case, the progeny of Abu Umar had a branch, which is interesting to note:
Abu Umar — Abu Muit — Uqbah — Walid.
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1 Tarikb Aa mma, Pg. 88
After that in order to consolidate his ascendancy, Muawiyah in the period of Islam made an addition of a branch to his family tree. That is, he accepted Ziyad bin Sumaiyah as the son of Abu Sufyan. The details of this are present in histories but here let me just explain in brief the basic points of the event. Before accepting Islam, Abu Sufyan once traveled to Taif and landed at a tavern owned by Abu Maryam. After having some drinks he asked Abu Maryam to provide him with a woman. Abu Maryam summoned Sumaiyah, who was the slave girl of Harith bin Kalda Thaqafi and married to one of his slaves, Ubaidah. Thus she became pregnant from Abu Sufyan and Ziyad was born. Initially he was called Ziyad bin Ubaidah or Ziyad bin Sumaiyah and those aware of the truth addressed him as Ziyad bin Abih (Ziyad, son of his father). Since Ziyad was extremely cunning, Muawiyah called him to his side and tried to make him his brother. All the Muslims were opposed to these tactics of Muawiyah, because there is a universally accepted principle in Islam and the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) has clearly stated that: "The child shall be related to the man whose wife has given him birth and there are only stones for the fornicator." (that is the punishment for adultery). However, Muawiyah paid no heed to all this. He arranged witnesses for the despicable act and made Ziyad the son of Abu Sufyan. Abu Maryam, the wine seller was also among the witnesses. He described the episode in such graphic detail that at last Ziyad had to say: "Enough! Abu Maryam! You are here to testify about my genealogy and not to say abusive things about my mother." The people were so much shocked by this that poets even composed satirical verses in this regard:
`0man, convey this message to Muawiyah. That: 'Are you angry if someone says that your father was chaste and pious? And you are pleased if someone says that your father was a fornicator?'"
It is a strange way of nature that the most ancient couplet of the Persian language discovered so far is also about this same matter. Thus in the collection of the writings of Qazwini the famous researcher of Iran, titled Bast Maqalaat Qazwini. It contains an article on this topic that Ibn Ziyad punished an Iranian for no fault of his. So he composed the following three lines and displayed them on the streets and roads of Kufa and began to recite them:
`There is water and there is date wine. There is grape juice and Sumaiyah is a wanton.'
Anyway, the son of this same Ziyad, Ubaidullah was appointed as the governor of Kufa by Yazid and entrusted with the task of killing Imam Husain (a.s).
Now I would like to present in brief the account of some other personalities from the Banu Umayyah clan.
UMAYYAH
Umayyah bin Abde Shams was very envious of His Eminence, Hashim, that why his generosity, charity and kindness was so renowned in the Arab world. Therefore he also tried to spend much wealth and help the people but failed to earn that same respect. At last he challenged His Eminence, Hashim to participate in a contest of superiority with him. In which both shall describe their virtues and high points and ask someone else to judge which of them was superior. His Eminence, Hashim declined the proposal of his unworthy nephew. However, in the end at the insistence of others he agreed at last on the condition that whichever of them was
defeated, he shall have to give to the winner 50 black-eyed she-camels and be exiled from Mecca for ten years. The soothsayer, Khuzai who resided in Asfan was appointed as a judge. After listening to the statements of both, he said:
"By the shining moon and the brilliant stars, by the rain clouds, by the birds that live in the atmosphere and until the time those who go on a height or a lowliness seeking directions from the sign. Until that time Hashim is superior to Umayyah in every excellence and prominence. And the father-in-law of Umayyah, Abu Hamimah is himself aware of this."
Umayyah according to the terms of the contest handed over 50 she-camels to His Eminence, Hashim and departed to Syria for ten years.1
HARB
Harb bin Umayyah was the contemporary of His Eminence, Abdul Muttalib. He
wrongfully murdered a Jew and had his property seized. Then he gave refuge to
the killers in his house (one of whom was Sakhr bin Amr, the grandfather of
Abu Bakr). His Eminence, Abdul Muttalib told him to turn out the killers so
that retaliation may be taken with regard to them. Harb refused to do so. The
matters reached such a head that it was decided to have a debate and like Hashim and
Umayyah, and state their excellences and merits in presence of a judge who
would decide between them. Both the parties went to Najjashi, the Abyssinian
ruler, but he refused to mediate in the matter. Therefore the two of them returned to
Mecca and Umar's grandfather, Nufail bin Abdul Izzi was appointed as the referee.
After listening to both their claims he said, "Why Harb! Why did you try to
gain prominence over this honorable gentleman? The one who is taller in
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1 Tarikh Kamil, Vol. 2
stature than you and is more respectable. He is having an awesome personality and is superior to you in elegance. He commands much more respect than you and is very less in dishonor compared to you. He has more children than you and he is more benevolent and generous that you. He is much ahead of you in his awe and grandeur. I am saying this but I am very much aware that far from anger and fury you are a strong rope for the support of your clan. But justice says that you have tried to compete with one before whom you are absolutely worthless and lowly."
Harb bin Umayyah was infuriated to hear this and he said: "It is but the upheaval of this damned time that a person like you has become a judge in this matter."
Anyway, after this, His Eminence, Abdul Muttalib had him removed from his circle. He was also made to pay a hundred she-camels for the murder of the Jew and the property of the Jew that was allowed to be plundered by Harb was restored to its owners. Whatever things could not be returned were paid from his money.1
AFFAN
He was the father of Uthman. He was a professional traditional singer and he used to play the drum etc. Affan literally means 'bad smelling' or 'rotten'.
UTHMAN
He was the third caliph of the majority (Sunnis) whose caliphate was
established solely as a result of the opinion of Abdur Rahman bin Auf and
upon whose execution the whole Islamic community was unanimous. He appointed
Banu Umayyah everywhere over the Muslims. He appointed as the
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1 Tarikh Kamil, Vol. 2
governor of Egypt apostate like Abdullah bin Abi Sarah regarding whom the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) ordered that he should be executed even if he is found in the Ka'ba. Uthman acted thus because Abdullah was his foster brother. In place of Saad bin Abi Waqqas (who was included among the Ashra Mubashera)1 and was the father of Umar Ibn Saad) he appointed Walid bin Uqbah as the governor of Kufa, who in a state of intoxication led the congregation to recite four instead of two units in the Morning Prayers. Uthman called back Marwan bin al-Hakam to Medina and made him his right hand. It was the same Marwan whom the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) had expelled from Medina and Umar had exiled him out of Hijaz to Yemen. Uthman entrusted the complete matter of caliphate to him and gave him the total Khums money received from Africa. Uthman also recalled to Medina, his uncle, Hakam, the father of Marwan who was called 'the one expelled by the Prophet'. And he gave him a place to reside in Medina.
He (Uthman) showered the Banu Umayyah with money, although they were deadly foes of the
Messenger of Allah (s.a.w), on the other hand he dishonored many
respectable companions of the Prophet. He had Abu Zar beaten up and
exiled. Abdullah Ibn Masud was also beaten up so badly that he got
hernia. He burnt up copies of Holy Quran. He plotted the murder of Muhammad bin Abi Bakr. He
beat up a beloved companion of the Prophet like Ammar in such a way
that he lost consciousness. Contrary to the prophetic practice,
he recited complete four units of prayers instead of the prescribed
shortened two units in Mina plains on the occasion of the Hajj, while the Holy
Prophet (s.a.w) used to always shorten them to two units. He took possession of the
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1 The ten people who were given good news of Paradise by the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s.) according to the belief of Ahle Sunnah.
pastures on the outskirts of Medina in the area of Baqi though it was public property. He handed over Fadak to Marwan and made it his personal property. It was the same Fadak that Umar and Abu Bakr had confiscated saying that it was the property of Muslims.
At last people became so much fed up with his favoritism and despotism that Muslims of Egypt, Kufa and Basra gathered at Medina and killed him. The corpse could not be buried for three days and even when it was buried, it was in the cemetery of Jews. A leg was devoured by the dogs of Medina. In other words there was such a consensus on him being guilty and fit to be executed that the consensus of Saqifah was nothing in comparison to it.
HAKAM BIN ABIL AAS
This gentleman was the uncle of Uthman. He was compelled to accept Islam in the year of the conquest of Mecca, while his heart was yet full of disbelief and hypocrisy. He came and settled down in Medina and passed on confidential information about the Holy Prophet (s.a.w) to the infidels. He used to spy on the activities of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w). Shobi says that actually that was why he had made a show of accepting Islam. One day the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) saw that he was mimicking him behind his back. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w) cursed him and he became such that it seemed as if he was to fall down headlong while walking. After that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) had him exiled to Taif. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w) invoked curse on him on three occasions and said: "Very soon he would oppose the Book of Allah and the practice of the Messenger and very soon such mischiefs will emerge from his loins that their smoke shall reach upto the sky." People asked, "0 Messenger of Allah (s.a.w), he is so lowly and degraded that such great acts cannot be expected from him." The Messenger of Allah
(s.a.w)said, "No, it shall be as I have said and at that time some of you shall be his helpers and supporters." Abdullah bin Zubair while circumambulating the Ka'ba said: "By the Lord of the Ka'ba, the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) had invoked curse on Hakam and also cursed those who are born from him."
This cursing is so famous that Amir al-Mu'minin Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s), Imam Hasan (a.s), Imam Husain (a.s), Ayesha and many other companions of the Prophet mentioned it to Marwan bin Hakam directly. Since the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) had him exiled to Taif he came to be known as 'the one expelled by the Prophet'. When Uthman became the caliph, he recalled him to Medina. When he died, Uthman prayed his funeral prayer and accompanied his bier. Upon this, Muslims criticized his saying: "You have recalled him. This itself was not enough that now you are reciting prayer on a hypocrite and accursed man, whom the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) had cursed and had him exiled?"1
Uthman had appointed him as the collector of Zakat from the tribe of Qazaya. He collected 30000 Dinars from them. Uthman told him to keep all the money for himself. Upon this, Saad bin Abi Waqqas, the treasurer came to the Masjid and threw down the key of the treasury saying, "If Hakam is given 30000 Dinars, I would not remain the treasurer."
MARWAN BIN HAKAM
Marwan was the son of Hakam, cousin and son-in-law of Uthman. He was born in
the year 2 A.H., while his father was yet a disbeliever. When the Holy Prophet
(s.a.w) saw him, he said, "The young one of a lizard is also a lizard. The
offspring of an accursed is accursed." He was six or seven
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1 Tadkeratul Kbawaasul Ummab, Sibte Ibne Jauzi
years of age when Hakam became a Muslim and came to Medina and was immediately expelled and the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said: "Who would save me from this lizard?" He also said, "He should not be allowed to be with me at any place." Thus at this same time he went to Taif with his father and brothers. From there when the second caliph expelled him to Yemen, he also went with them. He came back during the third caliphate and became the vizier and the secretary of the caliph. He was the one most responsible for the murder of Uthman. After Uthman, he became Muawiyah's adviser. During the time of Muawiyah he remained the governor of Medina for some time. After the coronation of Yazid, he told Walid bin Uqbah, the governor of Medina that if Husain (a.s) did not pay allegiance at that moment he would never pay it. So either you kill him or take allegiance." After the martyrdom of Husain (a.s) when the people of Medina rebelled against Yazid and began to expel selectively each member of Banu Umayyah from Medina, and there was risk of being killed and destroyed, Marwan sought the refuge of Imam Ali Ibn Husain (a.s) and the Imam gave him refuge. This was the magnanimity of the holy Imam. When after the death of Yazid, his son Muawiyah became aloof from the kingdom and because of this he was buried alive, the throne of Damascus remained vacant for six months. At last, this same Marwan got the throne and again the kingdom of Banu Umayyah remained in their own progeny. It could be possible only for those who believe Muhammad as a prophet to accord such honor to one who was cursed by the Prophet and whose progeny was cursed by the Prophet and one who was externed by the Prophet! It was not surprising that he married the wife of Yazid and mother of Khalid. One day in the full court, Marwan abused Khalid and Khalid complained to his mother. She obtained the assistance of her maids and during the night smothered Marwan with a pillow and sat upon it until he died of suffocation.
HARITH BIN AL-HAKAM
He was the son of Hakam and the brother of Marwan. He was a partner of his father in the Prophet's curse. Uthman received in Zakat a train of camels and gifted them all to Harith in fulfillment of his duties towards the next of kin.
SAEED BIN ABIL AAS
He was the paternal uncle of Uthman. Uthman gifted him a hundred thousand Dinars from the public treasury at a single time. These very generosities became the cause of ill will among the people.
UTBAH BIN RABI, SHAYBA BIN RABI AND WALID BIN UTBAH
Utbah bin Rabi was the maternal grandfather of Muawiyah and Walid bin Utbah was the brother of Muawiyah's mother. All of them were severe infidels and leaders of the polytheists of Quraish. In the battle of Badr they were the first to come out to fight. The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) sent three men from Ansar (Helpers) to fight them. They were named Maaz, Masud and Auf. When the three infidels asked their names and genealogy and it was learnt that these youths were from the Helpers, they said they had nothing to do with them. 'We have enmity towards the Quraish who have become Muslims.' At last the three young men returned and Utbah and his companions called out that someone who belonged to their community should come out and fight them. At last the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) sent His Eminence, Hamzah, His Eminence, Ali (a.s) and His Eminence, Ubaidah bin al-Harith to confront them. After names and genealogies were mentioned, the battle started, Walid bin Utbah (Muawiyah's uncle) contested His Eminence, Ali (a.s), Utbah himself fought with His Eminence, Hamzah and Shayba went to battle with Ubaidah. His Eminence, Ali (a.s) sent Walid to Hell with a single stroke of the sword. His Eminence, Hamzah slew Utbah and dispatched him to the Hellfire. However, Shayba slashed at the legs of His Eminence,
Ubaidah in such a way that he fell down and his heels began to bleed. Meanwhile after finishing off their foes, His Eminence, Hamzah and His Eminence, Ali (a.s) turned to help Ubaidah and killed Shayba. They carried Ubaidah from the battlefield to the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w). He lived until the battle continued but before reaching Medina, he passed away from the world to Paradise at a place called Radha or Wadi Sughra. He was buried at the same place.
UMME JAMIL - CARRIER OF FIREWOOD
She was the sister of Abu Sufyan and the maternal aunt of Muawiyah. She was the wife of Abu Lahab, the enemy of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w). She used to lay horns in the path of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w). That is why she is referred to as `the carrier of firewood' in the Surah Lahab and given the `good news' that a rope of fire shall be around her neck. Zakir Husain Sahab in his History of Islam, Pg. 47 has written that, "Abu Lahab's opposition was mostly due to the opposition of his wife, as he was very obedient to her." When the Surah Lahab was revealed, she came with a stone to kill the Prophet but the Almighty Allah put a curtain on her sight and she could not see the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) even though he was sitting right before her.1
One day His Eminence, Aqil went to the court of Muawiyah who in
order to ophumiliate him told the people, "This is Aqil
whose uncle was Abu Lahab." Aqil at once retorted, "And this
is Muawiyah whose aunt was the carrier of firewood." After that he
said, "0 Muawiyah! When you go to Hell, look to your left, my uncle
Abu Lahab would be upon your aunt there also. At that time you must ponder
that of the two whether the subject is better or the object."2
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1 Tafsir Safi
2 Tarikh Aaimma, Pg. 117, quoted from Thamaraatul Awraaq
