The Banu Umayyah, the ruling family of the Umayyad Dynasty, were successfully expelled from Iraq and Syria by the forces of the Banu Abbas after a series of massacres and rebellions. The remaining members of Banu Umayyah fled to the Iberian Peninsula where they established Muslim rule there, under a new Emirate of Cordoba. The first Abbasids were known to have been tyrannical and oppressive rulers, and people felt they were worse than the Umayyads.
One day, the Abbasid governor of Syria, Abu Muhammad Abdullah ibn Ali al-Abbasi, summoned Imam al-Awza'i for a meeting. But the latter was missing for three days. After three days had passed, Imam al-Awza'i appeared in the palace of the governor. The governor certainly wasn't happy, but Imam al-Awza'i was very patient.
“Assalamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh,” the Imam greeted the governor. But the governor did not reply to his Salam, and instead said, “O, Awza'i, what’s your view regarding what we have done to the people and this land in removing the oppression of the Banu Umayyah? Was it considered an act of Jihad?” He struck his staff on the ground, making a startling noise.
Imam al-Awza'i replied, “O Amir! I heard Yahya ibn Sa'id al-Ansari report from Muhammad ibn Ibrahim al-Taymi, who reported from 'Alqama ibn Waqqas, who in turn reported from Umar ibn al-Khattab who said; I heard the Messenger of Allah say: “Actions are based on intentions and every person will get what he intended.” His reply caught the attention of the palace guards, who brandished their swords, asking him, “If so, what do you say regarding the blood of the Banu Umayyah being spilled?” The Imam quoted the words of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, telling them, “A Muslim may not spill the blood of another except in three cases; a life for a life, an adulterer and someone who leaves his religion by separating from the community.”
The governor was not satisfied by his response, so he said, “Tell me about the caliphate, is it not our inheritance as stipulated by the Prophet ﷺ?” Imam al-Awza'i told him had that been the case, Imam Ali would not have let anyone come before himself. The governor banged his staff fiercely on the ground, and asked, “But what do you say about the treasure of the Banu Umayyah?”
Imam al-Awza'i said, “If it were lawful for them, it is not lawful for you, and if it were unlawful for them, then it is even more unlawful for you!” Then the governor banged his staff on the ground until it almost broke (baldis basics couldn't compare to this). He said, “Shall we give you a position of authority in our courts?” The Imam politely declined, saying, “Your predecessors were not fond of offering me such a position. I wish to complete the excellence that was begun by them, for me.”
“Then leave.” the governor said in a firm and authoritative tone. Imam al-Awza'i left the palace, escorted by the governor's envoy. The envoy gave the Imam a large sum of money, which was from the governor himself. Out of fear, Imam al-Awza'i accepted it, so he donated it to the poor and needy as sadaqah.
Source:
Al-Bidayah wan Nihayah by Ibn Kathir, volume 10, pages 124-126
Mashahir Al-Ulama Al-Amsar by Ibn Hibban, pages 285-286
No comments:
Post a Comment