After 21 years of autocratic rule, Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan passed away in the year 86 AH, and his son, Walid, succeeded him. In order to reduce public dissatisfaction, Walid decided to bring moderation to the caliphate’s administration and its dealings with the people. His main focus was to win the approval of the people of Medina, one of the two holy cities of Islam and the center of the Tabi‘un (the followers of the companions of the Prophet) and the remaining companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him), as well as the scholars of jurisprudence and hadith. To this end, he removed Hisham ibn Isma’il al-Makhzumi, who was the father-in-law of Abd al-Malik and had previously served as the tyrannical governor of Medina, a man whom the people had long wished to see removed. [1]
Hisham ibn Isma’il had been notorious for his oppression and insults toward the people of Medina. For example, he had ordered that Sa’id ibn al-Musayyib, the famous and highly respected hadith scholar of Medina, be whipped sixty times for refusing to pledge allegiance, and had made him wear coarse clothes, parading him around the city on a camel. He had also mistreated the family of Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (peace be upon him), particularly the noble Ali ibn al-Husayn (peace be upon them), and had insulted Imam Ali (peace be upon him) from the pulpit. As a member of the Banu Makhzum tribe, whose leaders had a longstanding enmity with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Hisham particularly harbored animosity towards the Alid family and subjected them to extreme hardships. [2][3]
Walid appointed his young cousin, Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, known for his fairness and integrity, as the new governor of Medina in place of Hisham. Umar ordered that Hisham be publicly displayed in front of Marwan’s house, where anyone who had suffered from Hisham’s tyranny could come and voice their complaints. People gathered in crowds, hurling insults, curses, and maledictions at him. [4]
However, Hisham’s only concern was for Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn (peace be upon him). He feared that the Imam would take revenge for all the injustices and insults directed at his noble ancestors, and that such vengeance would not be less than death. But the Imam instructed the Alids not to harm Hisham or speak ill of him. The Imam demonstrated that his conduct was not to kick a man when he was down or take revenge when his enemy was weak. On the contrary, his ethical stance was to help those who had fallen. When the Imam, accompanied by a large group of his supporters, approached Hisham, Hisham turned pale, expecting death at any moment. But contrary to his expectations, the Imam, as he would do with any Muslim, greeted him, showed him compassion, and reassured him, saying: “If I can assist you financially, I am ready, and neither I nor my followers will cause you any harm.” In other words, the Imam not only forgave him but also offered him help. [5][6]
In that moment, Hisham recalled the verse: “God knows best where to place His message” (Qur’an, 6:124). After this event, the people of Medina ceased their mocking and censure of him. [7][8]
(Excerpt from Dastan-e-Rastan, by the martyr Professor Murtadha Mutahhari, with slight additions)
Tags: Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn al-Sajjad, Humility and Modesty, Prophethood, Oppression and Insult, The conduct of Imam al-Sajjad, Martyr Murtadha Mutahhari, Helping the Fallen, Public Dissatisfaction
Footnotes:
[1] The Tabi‘un were those who did not meet the Prophet (peace be upon him) but had encountered his companions.
[2] Ansab al-Ashraf, Vol. 7, p. 256
[3] Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 5, p. 170
[4] Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 6, p. 428 – Manaqib Ibn Shahrashub, Vol. 3, p. 301
[5] Same
[6] Same
[7] Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 6, p. 428 – Manaqib Ibn Shahrashub, Vol. 3, p. 301
[8] “Allah knows best where He places His message…” (Qur’an, 6:124)