Yazid I

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Yazid I
Caliphs of the Umayyad Caliphate
Reign	680 – 683
Full name	Yazīd ibn Mu‘āwīyati ibn Abī Sufyāni
Born	645
Died	683
Predecessor	Mu'awiya I
Successor	Mu'awiya II
Dynasty	Umayyad
Father	Mu'awiya I
Mother	Maysun

Yazīd ibn Mu‘āwiyati ibn Abī Sufyāni (Arabic: يزيد بن معاوية بن أبي سفيان‎ (July 23, 645 - July 2, 683, was the second Caliph of the Umayyad Caliphate and ruled for three years from 680 CE until his death in 683 CE. He is the object of strong animosity for a large fraction of modern Muslims, most notably Shī‘ī ones; the Shī‘ī reject him as an open enemy to Islam and condemn his role in the Battle of Karbala which resulted in the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, which they remember during Ashura. All Sunnis condemn his actions but typically do not excommunicate him. His mother was a Christian Arab.^{[citation needed]}

Contents 1 Husayn ibn Ali and Ibn az-Zubair 2 Sunni View of Yazid 3 Shi'a view of Yazid 4 References

[edit] Husayn ibn Ali and Ibn az-Zubair

Husayn ibn Ali did not give his oath of allegiance to Yazid. He was living in Madina with his family, but Yazid considered him a threat to his rule and ordered his governor either to take oath from Husayn by any mean or execute him. Husayn ibn Ali refused this demand and hence was pushed to a limit that he finally decided to leave Madina. He first went to Makkah with an intention to perform Hajj. But even at this holy place he couldn't do it with peace as Yazid conspired to kill him in the Kaaba during Hajj. So Husayn had to cut short his plan and performed Umrah instead of Hajj.

Kufa, a garrison town in what is now Iraq, had been Caliph ‘Alī's capital and many of his supporters lived there. Husayn ibn Ali received many letters from the Kufans expressing their offer of support if he claimed the caliphate. They were also trying to restore Kufa's power against Damascus, the Umayyad capital.

Abd-Allah ibn Abbas and Abdullah ibn Zubayr held a meeting with Husayn in Mecca to advise him to refuse to travel to Iraq. Meanwhile, Husayn corresponded with nobles of Basrah and asked them to support him. Major tribes of Basrah gathered and prepared for the fight against Yazid I.as

At the same time Ubayd-Allah ibn Ziyad, governor of Basrah, executed one of Husayn's messengers and then addressed the people and warned them to avoid the insurgency. Husayn departed towards Kufa despite many warnings and mid-way, he and many members of his family were killed or captured at the Battle of Karbala.

The complications of Yazid's accession to the Caliphate didn't end there. Many Sahaba and fellow Muslims refused to give their oath of allegiance to Yazid simply because they saw it as usurpation of power and not the proper way of choosing a Caliph by the Shura or Council. The most prominent among these resistors was Abdullah ibn Zubayr.

Abdullah ibn Zubayr opposed Yazid's position as Caliph. He launched an insurgency in the Hejaz, the heartland of Islam, where Mecca and Medina are. Yazid sent armies against him in 683. After the Battle of al-Harrah, Medina was recaptured and Mecca was also besieged. During the siege, the Ka‘bah was damaged. The siege ended when Yazid died suddenly in 683 CE.

He was briefly succeeded by his son, Mu‘awiyah II.

[edit] Sunni View of Yazid

What follows is a list of some of the scholars who held various opinions about Yazeed ibn Mua’wiyyah.which nulifies the shia claim that all sunni scholars curse Yazid

1. Imaam Qaadhee Abu Bakr ibn al-Arabee Maalikee (d.543H) He did not hold permissible the cursing and abusing of Yazeed nor declaring him to be a disbeliever. He said, "If it is said justice and knowledge are from the conditions of Khilaafah and Yazeed neither had justice or knowledge, then we will say what is the thing by which he have to come to know Yazeed had no justice or knowledge." (al-Awaasim Minal Qawaasim (pg.222) He also said, "Where are those historians who wrote against Yazeed in mentioning alcohol and open sinning, do they not have any shame?" (al-Awaasim Minal Qawaasim (pg.222)

2. Shaikh Abdul-Mugeeth Hanbalee (d.583H) He was not in favour of cursing Yazeed nor declaring him to be a disbeliever, rather he authored a biography of Yazeed with the title of, "Fadhal Yazeed." "and his (Abdul-Mugeeth's) book ‘Fadhal Yazeed bin Mu’awiyyah’, in it he has mentioned strange incidences." (Hidaayatul A’aarifeen Asmaa al-Mu’allifeen Wa Athaar Musannifeen (5/623), al-Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah (12/328). Haafidh Ibn Katheer said about him, "He was from the righteous Hanbalee's who the common folk referred to." (al-Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah (12/328). Imaam Ibn al-Jawzee said, "I hope from Allaah that me and Abdul-Mugeeth will be together in Paradise. Muhib ud deen Abul-Baqaa said from this we find (ibn al-Jawzee) knew Abdul-Mugeeth was from the righteous worshippers of Allaah and may he have mercy on both of them." (Dhail Tabaqaat Hanabillah (1/356) of Ibn Rajab.)

3. Allaamah Abul-Khair Qazwainee. (d.590H) Imaam Ibn Katheer said, "After he left Qazwain he went to Baghdaad where he became a teacher in Madrassah Nizaamiyyah and he would admonish and deliver lectures to the people. So on the day of Ashoorah he sat on the minbar to admonish the people, it was said to him to curse Yazeed bin Mu’awiyyah. He replied, "He was but an Imaam Mujtahid." (al-Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah (9/13), Risaalah al-Mustarfah Lee-Bayaan Mashoor Kitaab as-Sunnah al-Musharfah (pg.132).

4. Allaamah Ibn as-Saalah (d.646H) He was also not in favour of cursing Yazeed or saying he was a disbeliever. Ibn Hajr Makkee writes, "Ibn Salaah who is from our jurists and scholars of hadeeth, I have seen in his Fataawa that when he was asked concerning the individual who would only curse Yazeed because he ordered the death of Hussain. Then in answer to this he said, according to us Yazeed ordering the death of Hussain is not correct and cursing and abusing Yazeed is not the sign of a believer….." (as-Sawaa’iq al-Meharqah (pg.222).

5. Shaikh ul-Islaam Imaam Ibn Taymiyyah (d.728H) He was neither in favour of cursing Yazeed nor declaring him to be a disbeliever. He says, "And the people who curse Yazeed and other such people like him then it is UPON them to bring evidence, Firstly: that he (Yazeed) was an open sinner and an oppressor and therefore prove he really was an open sinner and an oppressor. As allowing them to be cursed also needs to be proven that he continued this open sinning and oppression to the end up until his death. Secondly: Then after this they must prove that it is permissible to curse specific people like Yazeed." He goes onto say, "and the verse, "May the Curse of Allaah be upon the oppressors." Is a general verse like the verses concerning punishment." He goes onto say, "And the hadeeth of Bukhaari states the first army to wage Jihaad against Constantinople is forgiven and the first army to do Jihaad against Constantinople, their Ameer was Yazeed ibn Mu’waiyyah and the word army entails a specific number and every member of this army is included in this forgiveness……….." (Minhaaj as-Sunnah an-Nabawiyyah Fee Naqdh Kalaam ash-Shee’ah Wal-Qadariyyah (2/252), al-Muntaqa Minhaaj al-Ei’tidaal Fee Naqdh Kalaam ar-Rafdh Wal-Ei’tizaal (pg.290).

6. Haafidh Imaam Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (d.751H). Haafidh Ibn Qayyim writes in his book al-Manaar al-Muneef, "ALL the narration's that mention the censure of Yazeed bin Mu’awiyyah are lies." The he goes onto say on the same page, "ALL the narration's that mention the censure of Mu’awiyyah are lies." (al-Manaar al-Muneef Fis-Saheeh Wadh-Dha’eef (pg.220).

7. Haafidh Imaam Ibn Katheer (d.774H) After mentioning the position of al-Haraasee (of the permissibility of cursing) he mentions his statements and says, "Imaam Ghazzalee has opposed the attribution of open sinning and tyranny to Yazeed and has prohibited from abusing Yazeed because he was a muslim and it is not established he expressed happiness or joy on the death of Hussain…." (al-Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah (12/173).

8. Haafidh Ibn Rajab (d.795H) Haafidh Ibn Rajab also did not hold the opinion of cursing and declaring Yazeed to be a disbeliever. On the contrary he refute the allegation on Imaam Ahmad bin Hanbal that he cursed Yazeed. So he writes in clear words, "The statement of Imaam Ahmad only establishes cursing on all of the oppressors and there is no clarification or specification for the permissibility of cursing Yazeed only." (Dhail Tabaqaat Hanabillah (2/356).

9. Mulla Alee Qaaree (d1014H). Mulla Alee Qaaree said, "The majority of the Scholars have prohibited cursing Yazeed and Hajjaaj." (Mirqaat Sharh Mishkaat (4/52).

10.Ibn kathir in his famous book Albidaywanihaya quotes Mohammad bin Hanfia Hussain brother, that Yazid was a pious person and he denied the accusation against him.

[edit]

Ahmad ibn Hanbal was reputedly asked by his son about Yazid , and he is said to have replied with a reference to the Qur'an and said it was in reference to the murder of Husayn:

Do you then have the sign that if you get the authority, spread disorder in the land and sever your ties of Kinship? These are they whom God has cursed and made them deaf from the truth and made their eyes blind.^{[Qur'an 47:22][1]}

• Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari records under the year 49 Hijri (or 669-670 CE) during the reign of Muawiyah I, a number of forces, including one under Yazid attacked Constantinople. However Yazid was not in the first army that attacked constantinople and it was the 7th attack in which Yazid participated, the first attack being in 42 Hijri.^[2] This First Arab siege of Constantinople was a naval assault lasting through the years 670-677. Abu Ayyub al-Ansari was also among the notables accompanying Yazid. This journey marks an important event in the life of young Yazid (27 at that time).

While most Sunni and Shi'i scholars consider Yazid to be a villain of Islamic history on account of his hatred towards the household of Muhammad, some hard line scholars are of the view that Yazid should not be cursed.^[3] This however remains quite a small group of Muslim scholars.

• Abu Bakr ibn al-Arabi Maliki another scholar did not hold permissible the cursing and abusing of Yazid nor declaring him to be a disbeliever.

“If it is said justice and knowledge are from the conditions of Caliphate and Yazid neither had justice nor knowledge, then we would have to ask, by what evidence this conclusion was drawn that Yazid had no justice or knowledge.”

^[4]

“Where are those historians who wrote against Yazid in mentioning alcohol and open sinning, do they not have any shame?” – meaning where are the evidences for these accusations.^[5]

• Abdul Mughith Hanbali has the unique distinction of being one of the earliest known biographers of Yazid .Ibn Kathir said about Abdu l-Mughith that, “He was from the righteous Hanbali’s who the common folk referred to.”^[6] Abdul Mugheeth was also not in favor of cursing Yazid or declaring him to be a disbeliever, rather he authored a biography of Yazid with the titles Fadhal Yazid and Fadhal Yazid bin Muawiyah .^[7]
• Ibn Kathir reported on Allamah Abu l-Khayr Qazwini:

“After he left Qazwain he went to Baghdad where he became a teacher in Madrassa Nizamia and he would admonish and deliver lectures to the people. So on the day of Ashuraa he sat on the minbar to admonish the people, it was said to him to curse Yazid bin Muawiyah. He replied, “He was but an Imam Mujtahid.”^[8]

• Ibn Salah was also not in favor of cursing Yazid or saying he was a disbeliever. Ibn Hajr the Meccan writes,

“

“Ibn Salah who is from our jurists and scholars of Hadith, I have seen in his Fatwa that when he was asked concerning the individual who would only curse Yazid because he ordered the death of Husayn. Then in answer to this he said, according to us Yazid ordering the death of Hussain is not a correct report and cursing and abusing Yazid is not the sign of a believer.”- (as-Sawaa’iq al-Meharqah (pg.222))

”

.

• Ibn Taymiyyah was neither in favor of cursing Yazid nor declaring him to be a disbeliever.{{quote“And the people who curse Yazid and other such people like him then it is upon them to bring evidence, Firstly: that he was an open sinner and an oppressor and therefore prove he really was an open sinner and an oppressor as allowing him to be cursed needs to be proven that he continued this open sinning and oppression to the end up until his death. Secondly: Then after this they must prove that it is permissible to curse specific people like Yazid. ... and the verse, "May the Curse of God be upon the oppressors" is a general verse like the verses concerning punishment... And the Hadith compiled by Bukhari states the first army to wage Jihad against Constantinople is forgiven and it is clear that their commander Yazid ibn Muawiyah was a member of this army and is included in this forgiveness.}} - (ref books: Minhaaj as-Sunnah an-Nabawiyyah Fee Naqdh Kalaam ash-Shee’ah Wal-Qadariyyah (2/252), al-Muntaqa al-Minhaj al-I’tidaal fi Naqdh Kalaam ar-Rafdh wa l-i’tizaal (pg.290).

[edit] Shi'a view of Yazid

For Shi'a Muslims, Yazid is considered the worst most evil, corrupt, vicious, vindictive tyrant, who will always be remembered for his persecution and brutal murder of Imam Husayn A.S., the grandson of Muhammad, and his family. The Shia view about the household of Muhammad stems from a Quranic verse that has declared the Prophet's family as completely purified by God Himself. ^[9]. The Prophet has himself commanded the Muslim community to have intense love (Al-Muwadata) and kindness for them- Al-Qurba (Ref: Quran chapter 42, verse 23).

Shi'a scholars, while very vocal in their views towards Yazid, also quote Sunni Scholars / historians to prove their historically correct point:

• Ibn Taymiyyah, a Sunni scholar stated the following concerning the nature of Yazid's position:

“

“Yazid had the sword and hence he had the power to deal with anyone that opposed him. He had the power to reward his subjects with the contents of the treasury, and could also withhold their rights. He had the power to punish criminals; it is in this context that we can understand that he was the khalifah and king. Issues such as Yazid's piety or lack of it, or his honesty or lack of it, is another matter. In all of his actions Yazid was not just, there is no dispute amongst the people of Islam on this matter.”

”

- (ref book: Minhaj as-Sunnah an-Nabawiyyah )

• Shaykh al-hadith Muhammad Zakaria, an Indian Sunni scholar, has stated the following regarding the manner in which Yazid came to power:

“

“The army that Yazid had sent to Madinah comprised of 60,000 horsemen and 15,000 foot soldiers. For three days they shed blood freely, 1000 women were raped and 700 named Quraysh and Ansar were killed. Ten thousand women and children were made slaves. Muslim bin Uqba forced people to give allegiance to Yazid in such a manner that people were enslaved and Yazid could sell them as he pleased, no Sahaba who were [with the Prophet] at Hudaibiya were spared.”

”

- (ref book: 'Au Khanar al Masalik vol.3 pg.450).

• Ibn Kathir a famously renowned Sunni Islamic scholar, himself reports on the character of Yazid:

“

“Traditions inform us that Yazid loved worldly vices; would drink; listen to music; kept the company of boys with no facial hair; played drums; kept dogs; made frogs, bears and monkeys fight. Every morning he used be intoxicated, and he used to bind monkeys with the saddle of a horse and make the horse run.”

”

- (ref book: al-Bidaayah wan-Nihaayah vol.8 pg.1169)

• Ibn Sa'd, another Sunni scholar, writes in his book, “Tabaqat Al-Kubra” regarding the nature of Yazid:

“

“Abdullah bin Hanzala the Sahaba stated, 'By Allah we opposed Yazid at the point when we feared that stones would reign down on us from the skies. He was a Fasiq who copulated with his mother, sister and daughters, who drank alcohol and did not offer Salaat.”

”

- (ref book: Tabaqat Al-Kubra vol.5 pg.66)

• After Yazid's death, when Muawiyah II (Yazid's son) was made to be the caliph, he stated the following in his inaugural address with regards to his father and his grandfather (Muawiyah I), as recorded by Ibn Hajr al-Haythami another scholar of the Ahl us-Sunnah:

“

“When Yazid's son came to power he gave the speech: 'Khilafat is from Allah. My grand father fought for khilafat against an individual who was more entitled to it, that being Ali. He (Mu'awiya I) performed actions that you are all aware of, and he is suffering in his grave for that. Then my father Yazid became the khalifah even though he was not deserving of khilafat. He fought the grandson of Rasulullah ( Husayn ) and is suffering in the grave on account of his sins.' Mu'awiya bin Yazid (Muawiyah II) then proceeded to cry, 'It is a terrible thing that we are fully aware of Yazid's bad deeds: he slaughtered the family of the Prophet, he deemed alcohol Halal, and set fire to the Ka'ba.”

”

- (ref book: Sawaiq al Muhriqa pg.134)

• Although many Sunni Muslims are against the cursing of Yazid, Yazid is cursed even according to the definitions of Muhammad, as recorded by Ibn Kathir:

“

“Rasulullah said, whoever perpetuates injustice and frightens the residents of Madinah, the curse of Allah, His Angels and all people is on such a person.”

”

- (ref book: al-Bidaayah wan-Nihaayah vol.8 pg.1147)

The events at Karbala figure as fundamental in Shi'a thought, and many Islamist movements liken their causes to Husayn ibn Ali's struggle against Yazid. Leaders of the 1979 Iranian Revolution that overthrew the Pahlavi government frequently drew such comparisons.

The 10th of Muharram (also known as Ashura), is the Islamic calendar date on which the Battle of Karbala occurred and is commemorated as a day of mourning by Shia Muslims around the world. Rituals on Ashura' usually involve public processions during which the Shi'as reject Yazid's caliphate and recite poems commemorating Husayn ibn Ali and his death. Shi'as and sunnis around the world refer to Yazid as "the tyrant."

[edit] References

This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica, Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.

Yazid was a bastard, and so were Umar and Abu Bakr