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Abu Muslim al-Khurasani
Famous da'i of Banu 'Abbas
Bust of Abu Muslim al-Khurasani in Mellat Park of Mashhad
Bust of Abu Muslim al-Khurasani in Mellat Park of Mashhad
BirthBetween 100/718-19 and 105/723-24
Place of BirthPushang (near Herat), Kufa, or Isfahan
DeathSha'ban 137/Jan-Feb 755, killed by the order of al-Mansur al-'Abbasi
Notable rolesDa'i of Banu 'Abbas in Khurasan • Governor of Khurasan
ActivitiesUprising against Banu Umayya


Abu Muslim al-Khurasani (killed in 137/755) was a famous da'i of Banu 'Abbas who rose up against Banu Umayya in 129/746-47. He used the slogan of al-Rida min Al Muhammad, which is why a number of Shi'as cooperated with him. Abu Muslim's uprising began in Marw and led to the caliphate of the Banu 'Abbas dynasty and the killing of Marwan b. Muhammad, the last Umayyad caliph, in Egypt. He then became the governor of Khurasan and was killed in 137/755 by the order of al-Mansur, the second Abbasid caliph, due to fear of his growing power.

Regarding the life and personality of Abu Muslim, there are scattered and sometimes contradictory reports. In his youth, he became acquainted with the da'is of Banu 'Abbas in Kufa and in 129/746-47, by the order of Ibrahim b. Muhammad, the Abbasid Imam, he went to Khurasan for propagation. Abu Muslim wrote two letters to Imam al-Sadiq (a) and invited him to accept the caliphate, but Imam al-Sadiq (a) did not accept. After the fall of Banu Umayya, he behaved harshly with individuals and uprisings inclined towards Imam al-Sadiq (a) and the 'Alawids and suppressed them.

Life and Lineage

Reports about Abu Muslim's date and place of birth, parents, and lineage are scattered and contradictory. Some of these reports have negative or positive biases, which are said to have been created by Abu Muslim's opponents, such as Banu 'Abbas, as well as by his supporters or opponents of Banu 'Abbas.[1] His birth year is estimated between 100/718-19 and 105/723-24 (724 CE), and 137/755 (755 CE) is said to be his death year. In some sources, his name is mentioned as Ibrahim b. Khatkan and his kunya as Abu Ishaq.[2] In another place, he is named Ibrahim b. 'Uthman.[3] Some historians have considered his lineage to be Persian, writing his name as Bihzadan b. Bindad Hurmuz, and it is claimed that Bindad, Abu Muslim's father, changed his name to 'Uthman after becoming Muslim.[4] It is also said that during Abu Muslim's meeting with Ibrahim b. Muhammad, the Abbasid Imam, Ibrahim asked him to change his kunya and name to Abu Muslim 'Abd al-Rahman b. Muslim so that he could operate better.[5] The cities of Pushang (near Herat), Kufa, and Isfahan are recorded as Abu Muslim's birthplace.[6]

Abu Muslim's father is introduced in most historical texts as an Arab or from the Arab mawali.[7] Some sources have considered Abu Muslim's father to be a resident of one of the villages of Isfahan who worked as a farmer.[8] He then entered the service of Idris b. Ma'qil al-'Ijli and died shortly before or after Abu Muslim's birth.[9] The period of Abu Muslim's activity coincided with the imamate of Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (a) (imamate: 114-148/765) and the caliphate of Hisham b. 'Abd al-Malik (caliphate: 105-125/724-743), al-Walid b. Yazid (125-126/743-744), Yazid b. al-Walid (six months in 126/744), Ibrahim b. al-Walid (126-127/744-745), Marwan b. Muhammad (127-132/745-750), al-Saffah (132-136/750-754), and al-Mansur (136-158/754-775).[10]

Abu Muslim was killed in Sha'ban 137/Jan-Feb 755 by the order of al-Mansur, the second Abbasid caliph. It is said that al-Mansur killed him due to suspicion and fear of Abu Muslim's rebellion and disobedience.[11]

Joining the Abbasid Da'wa

In historical sources related to Abu Muslim's life, there appears a person named Musa al-Sarraj or Abu Musa al-Sarraj[12] or 'Isa b. Musa al-Sarraj[13] who resided in Kufa. He worked in making saddles and bridles, and Abu Muslim was his apprentice or worker.[14] This person was among the supporters or da'is of Banu 'Abbas,[15] and through him or during a journey with him, Abu Muslim became acquainted with other Abbasid da'is in Iraq, especially in Kufa.[16] Some have also written that Abu Muslim was the liaison between imprisoned and free da'is and Abu Musa al-Sarraj between the years 115/733-34 and 120/737-38.[17] These da'is then introduced Abu Muslim to the Abbasid Imam, Ibrahim b. Muhammad b. 'Ali, known as Ibrahim al-Imam.[18] Some have written that Abu Muslim also had a relationship with Muhammad b. 'Ali, Ibrahim's father.[19][20] After the death of Muhammad b. 'Ali, Abu Muslim, as a slave of Al Ma'qil, was the messenger between two Abbasid da'is, Bukayr b. Mahan (imprisoned in Kufa) and Abu Salama al-Khallal, Bukayr's son-in-law.[21] In 125/742-43, shortly before the killing of Yahya b. Zayd in Jawzjan, these two went to Mecca with a number of da'is from Khurasan to see Ibrahim al-Imam.[22] After Bukayr's death, Abu Salama returned to Khurasan with the aim of making the uprising public and beginning the wearing of black clothes, and he also took Abu Muslim with him.[23] In 127/744-45 or 128/745-46, Abu Muslim, along with Abu Salama, met with Ibrahim al-Imam in Sharat. Some sources have written that Ibrahim praised Abu Muslim's intelligence, and Abu Salama entrusted him to Ibrahim.[24] Ibrahim asked him to change his kunya and name.[25]

Uprising against Banu Umayya

Abu Muslim went to Khurasan in 129/746-47 by the order of Ibrahim al-'Abbasi, and Ibrahim ordered his supporters to obey him.[26] At this time, conflicts among the Arab tribes in Khurasan had increased, and Nasr b. Sayyar, the Umayyad governor, could not control affairs.[27] The beginning of Abu Muslim's work initially faced opposition from Sulayman b. Kathir, the famous da'i of Khurasan; but after a while, he cooperated with Abu Muslim.[28] Abu Muslim resided in the village of Safidanj in Marw and sent individuals to Tukharistan (Taliqan), Khwarazm, and the areas surrounding Marw to coordinate and attract more people.[29]

Abu Muslim's uprising was supposed to start in Muharram of 130/747-48, but when Nasr b. Sayyar learned of this plan, the uprising began on Eid al-Fitr 129/747 by wearing black clothes and holding the Fitr prayer in Safidanj.[30] 18 days later, Abu Muslim was victorious in his first battle against Nasr.[31] He entered Marw in the middle of 130/747-48 and received allegiance from the people.[32] Then Qahtaba b. Shabib al-Ta'i, the commander of Abu Muslim's armies, captured the cities of Tus, Nishapur, Jurjan, and Qumis.[33] At this time, Ibrahim al-Imam died in the prison of Marwan b. Muhammad due to illness or poisoning.[34] He appointed his brother, 'Abd Allah b. Muhammad al-Saffah, as his successor.[35] Shortly after, Hasan and Humayd, the sons of Qahtaba, entered Kufa with their army and, along with Abu Salama, pledged allegiance to al-Saffah. Marwan b. Muhammad was also killed in Egypt.[36]

Method of Propagation and Activity

In his da'wa, Abu Muslim used the term al-Rida min Al Muhammad and did not mention a specific person's name.[37] Also, he used the phrases "Ya Latharat al-Husayn and Zayd and Yahya" and "Ya Mansur Amit" in his slogans.[38] Abu Muslim also did not give a clear answer regarding his lineage.[39] According to some historians, the ambiguity of the intended person of Abu Muslim's da'wa caused most opponents of Banu Umayya, including the Shi'a, to cooperate with him.[40] Abu Muslim also used the conflict of Arab tribes in Khurasan to overcome Nasr b. Sayyar and advance his affairs.[41] After establishing himself in Marw, he eliminated his famous opponents in Khurasan.[42]

Writing a Letter to Imam al-Sadiq (a)

Abu Muslim's activity and uprising until his death coincided with the imamate of Ja'far b. Muhammad. In some sources, it is reported that Abu Muslim sent two letters to him. Al-Mas'udi wrote that the Imam did not reply to Abu Muslim's two letters.[43] In the second letter, he wrote that a thousand warriors are at my disposal. We are waiting for your command.[44] However, Fakhr al-Razi stated that Ja'far b. Muhammad replied: Neither are you among my companions, nor is this time, my time.[45] Asad Haydar believes that Imam al-Sadiq gave this answer due to Abu Muslim's lack of honesty and loyalty.[46] In some sources, a similar reaction from Imam al-Sadiq to receiving two letters from Abu Salama al-Khallal is reported.[47][48] He told the bearer of the letter: I have no business with Abu Salama! He is the Shi'a of others.[49] Murtada Mutahhari considered the reason for the Imam's response to be his knowledge that the efforts and final results of the uprising and the future government would be confiscated by the Banu 'Abbas.[50] Al-Kulayni recorded another narration that at the beginning of Abu Muslim's activity in Khurasan, individuals like 'Abd al-Salam b. Nu'aym and Sudayr wrote a letter to Ja'far al-Sadiq: We see the conditions suitable for your caliphate. What is your opinion? Imam al-Sadiq (a) threw the letters to the ground and said: Alas! I am not their Imam and leader (Abu Muslim and his followers).[51]

Abu Muslim's Relationship with the 'Alawids and Shi'as

In historical sources, Abu Muslim's true view regarding the 'Alawids and Shi'as is ambiguous and scattered. Al-Tabari narrated a report about Abu Muslim indicating his connection or inclination to Mughira b. Sa'id, the head of the Ghulat group in Kufa (119/737), as well as his acquaintance with Malik b. A'yun al-Juhani, one of the narrators of Imam al-Sadiq.[52] There is no information about Abu Muslim's stance and activity regarding the uprisings of Zayd b. 'Ali (121/739 or 122/740) and his son Yahya b. Zayd (125/743), although there are reports showing the lack of cooperation of Abbasid da'is and supporters with these uprisings.[53] In 130/747-48, after the conquest of Marw, Balkh, and Jawzjan, Abu Muslim took down the body of Yahya b. Zayd from the gallows, prayed over it, and buried it.[54] In the same year, he ordered the killing of 'Abd Allah b. Mu'awiya, the grandson of 'Abd Allah b. Ja'far b. Abi Talib. 'Abd Allah had risen up against Banu Umayya in 127/744-45 and after being defeated, had come to Herat expecting to receive Abu Muslim's help.[55] A few months after the start of al-Saffah's caliphate (132/749-50), Abu Muslim beheaded Sulayman b. Kathir on the suspicion of cooperating with the 'Alawids.[56] He then suppressed the movement of Sharik b. Shaykh in Bukhara and killed him. A number of historians have considered Sharik and the nature of his uprising to be Shi'a.[57] Some have also written that Abu Muslim's satisfaction with the killing of Abu Salama by al-Saffah was due to discovering his connection with the 'Alawids.[58] Al-Baladhuri (d. 279/892), a historian of the 3rd century, wrote in the book Ansab al-ashraf that Abu Muslim advised Abu l-'Abbas al-Saffah to move the headquarters of his government from Kufa elsewhere due to its people's inclination towards the Family of 'Ali.[59]

Blood Vengeance

With the death of Abu Muslim, individuals and movements with different beliefs rose up to avenge his blood and support him against the Banu 'Abbas. Sunbadh, Ishaq the Turk, al-Muqanna', the Rawandiyya movement, and the Khurramdinan movement were among these.[60]

Monograph

The book Abu Muslim-nama was written by Abu Tahir b. Hasan al-Tartusi, a storyteller and writer of the 6th/12th century. The subject of the book is the story of the life, wars, and efforts of Abu Muslim al-Khurasani to defeat the Marwanids and establish the Abbasid government. This book was published in 1380 Sh/2001-2 in 4 volumes jointly by three publishers: Mu'in, Qatra Publishing, and the French Institute of Iranian Studies in Iran.

Notes

  1. ↑ Bahrāmiyān & Sajjādī, "Abū Muslim-i Khurāsānī", 1373 Sh, vol. 6, pp. 226-244.
  2. ↑ Akhbār al-dawlat al-ʿAbbāsiyya, 1971, p. 255.
  3. ↑ Nasafī, al-Qand, 1378 Sh, p. 214.
  4. ↑ Ḥamawī, Muʿjam al-udabāʾ, 1414 AH, vol. 5, p. 200.
  5. ↑ Balādhurī, Ansāb al-ashrāf, 1398 AH, vol. 3, p. 83.
  6. ↑ Ḥamawī, Buldān, 1399 AH, vol. 1, p. 758; Ṭabarī, Tārīkh-i Ṭabarī, 1869, vol. 7, p. 360; cited in Bahrāmiyān & Sajjādī, "Abū Muslim-i Khurāsānī", 1373 Sh, vol. 6, pp. 226-244.
  7. ↑ Bahrāmiyān & Sajjādī, "Abū Muslim-i Khurāsānī", 1373 Sh, vol. 6, pp. 226-244.
  8. ↑ Akhbār al-dawlat al-ʿAbbāsiyya, 1971, p. 225.
  9. ↑ Akhbār al-dawlat al-ʿAbbāsiyya, 1971, p. 263.
  10. ↑ Bahrāmiyān & Sajjādī, "Abū Muslim-i Khurāsānī", 1373 Sh, vol. 6, pp. 226-244.
  11. ↑ Ṭabarī, Tārīkh-i Ṭabarī, 1869, vol. 7, pp. 489-492; Masʿūdī, Murūj al-dhahab, 1409 AH, vol. 3, p. 291.
  12. ↑ Akhbār al-dawlat al-ʿAbbāsiyya, 1971, pp. 125, 194.
  13. ↑ Ibn al-Athīr, al-Kāmil fī l-tārīkh, 1402 AH, vol. 5, p. 254.
  14. ↑ Maqrīzī, al-Muqaffā l-kabīr, 1411 AH, vol. 4, p. 135.
  15. ↑ Akhbār al-dawlat al-ʿAbbāsiyya, 1971, p. 195.
  16. ↑ Bahrāmiyān & Sajjādī, "Abū Muslim-i Khurāsānī", 1373 Sh, vol. 6, pp. 226-244.
  17. ↑ Maqrīzī, al-Muqaffā l-kabīr, 1411 AH, vol. 4, p. 128.
  18. ↑ Akhbār al-dawlat al-ʿAbbāsiyya, 1971, pp. 253-254.
  19. ↑ Akhbār al-dawlat al-ʿAbbāsiyya, 1971, p. 254.
  20. ↑ Muhammad b. 'Ali was the grandson of Ibn 'Abbas.
  21. ↑ Ṭabarī, Tārīkh-i Ṭabarī, 1869, vol. 7, p. 198.
  22. ↑ Akhbār al-dawlat al-ʿAbbāsiyya, 1971, p. 245.
  23. ↑ Akhbār al-dawlat al-ʿAbbāsiyya, 1971, p. 250.
  24. ↑ Akhbār al-dawlat al-ʿAbbāsiyya, 1971, p. 268.
  25. ↑ Akhbār al-dawlat al-ʿAbbāsiyya, 1971, p. 268.
  26. ↑ Ṭabarī, Tārīkh-i Ṭabarī, 1869, vol. 7, p. 344.
  27. ↑ Ṭabarī, Tārīkh-i Ṭabarī, 1869, vol. 7, p. 344.
  28. ↑ Akhbār al-dawlat al-ʿAbbāsiyya, 1971, p. 270.
  29. ↑ Akhbār al-dawlat al-ʿAbbāsiyya, 1971, p. 272.
  30. ↑ Akhbār al-dawlat al-ʿAbbāsiyya, 1971, pp. 273-275.
  31. ↑ Ṭabarī, Tārīkh-i Ṭabarī, 1869, vol. 7, p. 358.
  32. ↑ Ṭabarī, Tārīkh-i Ṭabarī, 1869, vol. 7, pp. 378-379.
  33. ↑ Akhbār al-dawlat al-ʿAbbāsiyya, 1971, pp. 323-334.
  34. ↑ Ibn al-Athīr, al-Kāmil fī l-tārīkh, 1402 AH, vol. 5, p. 422; Ibn Kathīr, al-Bidāya wa l-nihāya, 1932, vol. 10, p. 40.
  35. ↑ al-ʿUyūn wa l-ḥadāʾiq, vol. 3, p. 120, Leiden, 1871.
  36. ↑ Ṭabarī, Tārīkh-i Ṭabarī, 1869, vol. 7, pp. 437-442.
  37. ↑ Akhbār al-dawlat al-ʿAbbāsiyya, 1971, pp. 281-283.
  38. ↑ Balādhurī, Ansāb al-ashrāf, vol. 9, p. 317.
  39. ↑ Akhbār al-dawlat al-ʿAbbāsiyya, 1971, pp. 281-283.
  40. ↑ Ṭabarī, Tārīkh-i Ṭabarī, 1869, vol. 7, p. 380; Akhbār al-dawlat al-ʿAbbāsiyya, 1971, p. 201.
  41. ↑ Akhbār al-dawlat al-ʿAbbāsiyya, 1971, p. 277.
  42. ↑ Ṭabarī, Tārīkh-i Ṭabarī, 1869, vol. 7, pp. 386-388.
  43. ↑ Masʿūdī, Murūj al-dhahab wa maʿādin al-jawhar, 1409 AH, vol. 3, p. 268.
  44. ↑ Masʿūdī, Murūj al-dhahab wa maʿādin al-jawhar, 1409 AH, vol. 3, p. 268.
  45. ↑ Fakhr al-Rāzī, al-Muḥaṣṣal, 1411 AH, p. 591.
  46. ↑ Ḥaydar, al-Imām al-Ṣādiq wa l-madhāhib al-arbaʿa, 1422 AH, vol. 2, p. 306.
  47. ↑ Masʿūdī, Murūj al-dhahab wa maʿādin al-jawhar, 1409 AH, vol. 3, p. 268; Ḥaydar, al-Imām al-Ṣādiq wa l-madhāhib al-arbaʿa, 1422 AH, vol. 2, p. 306.
  48. ↑ Abu Salama consulted with some Kufan leaders and decided that a council of the descendants of Imam 'Ali (a) and 'Abbas should be formed so they could choose someone from among themselves for the caliphate. Ultimately, he sent letters to Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (a), 'Abd Allah b. al-Hasan, and 'Umar b. 'Ali b. al-Husayn in Medina. However, Imam al-Sadiq (a) burned Abu Salama's letter without reading it and said he is the Shi'a of someone other than us. 'Abd Allah b. al-Hasan also rejected Abu Salama's invitation after consulting with Imam al-Sadiq (a), and finally, 'Umar b. 'Ali b. al-Husayn also refused it. Dāʾirat al-Maʿārif-i Buzurg-i Islāmī, vol. 5, p. 2228.
  49. ↑ Ḥaydar, al-Imām al-Ṣādiq wa l-madhāhib al-arbaʿa, 1422 AH, vol. 2, p. 306.
  50. ↑ Muṭahharī, Sayrī dar sīra-yi aʾimma-yi aṭhār, p. 127.
  51. ↑ Kulaynī, al-Kāfī, 1407 AH, vol. 8, p. 331.
  52. ↑ Ṭabarī, Tārīkh-i Ṭabarī, 1869, vol. 7, p. 129.
  53. ↑ Akhbār al-dawlat al-ʿAbbāsiyya, 1971, pp. 230-231.
  54. ↑ Ḥaydar, al-Imām al-Ṣādiq wa l-madhāhib al-arbaʿa, 1422 AH, vol. 1, p. 138.
  55. ↑ Balādhurī, Ansāb al-ashrāf, 1398 AH, p. 66.
  56. ↑ Iṣfahānī, Maqātil al-ṭālibiyyīn, 1405 AH, p. 159.
  57. ↑ Balādhurī, Ansāb al-ashrāf, 1398 AH, p. 159; Ṭabarī, Tārīkh-i Ṭabarī, 1869, vol. 6, p. 112.
  58. ↑ Ibn Khallikān, Wafayāt al-aʿyān, vol. 2, p. 196; Ṭabarī, Tārīkh-i Ṭabarī, 1869, vol. 7, p. 449.
  59. ↑ Balādhurī, Ansāb al-ashrāf, vol. 3, p. 150.
  60. ↑ Bahrāmiyān & Sajjādī, "Abū Muslim-i Khurāsānī", 1373 Sh, vol. 6, pp. 226-244.

References

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