Kumayl b. Ziyad al-Nakha'i: Difference between revisions

Kumayl b. Ziyad b. Nahyak al-Nakha’i al-Sohbani al-Kufi (کُمَیل بن زِیاد بن نَهِیک نَخَعی صُهبانی کوفی) (12/633-82/701) was one of the [[Tabi’in]] and an important companion of [[Imam Ali]] (a) and [[Imam Hasan]] (a). He was one of the first people who suggested the deposition of [[‘Uthman]], and the [[Caliphate]] of Imam Ali (a). During Imam Ali’s (a) Caliphate, he was the governor of a region called “[[Hit]]” for a short time. When [[Mu’awiya]]’s army, plundered Hit, Imam Ali (a) rebuked him for negligence in protecting the city. Lots of [[hadith]]s have been narrated from him in [[Shi’a]] sources, the most famous of which is [[Du’a’ al-Kumayl]] (supplication of Kumayl). In [[Sunni]] sources, however, Kumayl is described as “Ghalil al-Hadith” (someone who has narrated few hadiths) and, even sometimes, he has been dispraised.

Kymayl was from the tribe of [[Nakha’]] and his father was [[Ziyad b. Nahik]]. [[The Prophet]] (s) has been quoted “O, Allah, bless the Nakha’”. [[Mohammad Dashti]], has mentioned that [[Harith b. Ziyad]] -the murderer of [[Muslim b. ‘Aqil]]’s two children and the companion of [[‘Ubayd Allah b. Ziyad]]- was Kumayl’s brother.

Kumayl’s birthdate has not been reported in historical sources. However, [[Zirikli]] mentioned that he was born in 12/633.

==During Imam Ali’s Caliphate==

Kumayl was one of the Tabi’in (the Followers (the generation after [[the Companion]] ([[Sahaba]]) who did not meet the Prophet (s) in their life)) of the holy Prophet (s) and one of the close companions of Imam Ali (a) and Imam Hasan (a). He was 18 when the Prophet (s) passed away. He was one of the first Shi’as who pledged allegiance to Imam Ali (a) in the first days of his Caliphate. He participated in the battles took place in Imam Ali’s (a) Caliphate, including [[the Battle of Saffin]]. He was trusted by Imam Ali (a) to the extent that Imam would told him some secrets.

He and [[‘Amr b. Zurara b. Qays]] al-Nakha’i were among the first people who suggested deposition of ‘Uthman and the Caliphate of Imam Ali (a). Kumayl is one of 10 persons who were exiled from [[Kufa]] to Levant, during the Caliphate of ‘Uthman.

===Imam Ali’s (a) Officer===  

During Imam Ali’s (a) reign, he was appointed as the governor of “Hit”, a city near [[Baghdad]].  

When he was informed that Mu’awiya’s army, led by [[Sufyan b. ‘Uwf]], wanted to attack Hit, under the false impression that they had camped in [[Qarqisiya]], he left Hit toward Qarqisiya without Imam Ali’s (a) permission. He left 50 armed soldiers in Hit for protecting the city. Mu’awiya’s army took advantage of this opportunity, and invaded Hit. Imam Ali (a) rebuked him in a letter (numbered 61 in [[Nahj al-Balagha]]) for his action.

After Imam Ali’s (a) [[martyrdom]], he stood by Imam Hasan (a) and became one of his companions.

Kumayl has narrated hadiths from Imam Ali (a), [[‘Umar]], ‘Uthman, [[Ibn Mas’ud]], [[Abu Hurayra]] and others. [[‘Abd al-Rahman b. ‘Abis]], [[Abu Ishaq Subay’i]], ‘Abbas .b Zurayh, ‘Abd Allah .b Yazid Sahbani, [[A’mash]], [[‘Abd al-Rahman .b Jundab]] and others have narrated hadiths from him.

Lots of hadiths have been narrated from him in Shi’a sources. However, he was described as Ghalil al-Hadith (someone who has narrated few hadiths) in Sunni sources. [[Ibn Habban]] and [[Ibn Ma’in]] said that he was a [[Thiqa]] (reliable) narrator. Though, he was dispraised in some Sunni books.

===Du’a’ al-Kumayl===

The original name of this [[du’a’]] (supplication) –which he has narrated it from Imam Ali (a)- is Du’a’ al-Khidr, nevertheless, it is known by the name of its narrator as [[Du’a’ al-Kumayl]]. Kumayl was one of the most pious and ascetic people in Kufa.

Some of Imam Ali’s testament to him have been quoted in the book [[Bihar al-anwar]]. A summary of these wills have also been narrated in the book [[Tuhaf al-‘uqul]].

Imam Ali (a) had foretold Kumayl’s demise. Most historians said that he passed away in 82/701, but [[Tabari]] said it was in 83/702, and [[‘Asqalani]] quoted [[Yahya b. Ma’in]] that it was in 88/707.  

He was 70 when he passed away. [[Dhahabi]] narrated from [[Mada’ini]] that he was 90.