Chapter 13: Fitnah in Iraq
Trouble in Iraq:
During Mu’awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan’s caliphate, Iraq remained a constant source of internal fitnah.
At first, Mu’awiyah tried to resolve these issues without force, but the residents of Iraq took advantage of his leniency and the issues got worse.
After repeated fitnah in Basra and surrounding areas, Mu’awiyah appointed his brother, Ziyad ibn Abi Sufyan to be the governor of the city in the year 45 AH.
During Umar ibn Al-Khattab’s caliphate, Ziyad had already served as governor of Persia, and Ali ibn Abi Talib had kept him in that position during his own caliphate.
Ziyad ibn Abi Sufyan resembled his father Abu Sufyan and was recognised across Arabia for his intelligence and his ability govern Persia effectively.
Mu’awiyah ordered Ziyad to correct the people of Basra and keep them firm on the right path.
When Ziyad arrived, he gathered the residents in the main mosque and addressed them, saying: People should stop their family members from doing wrong doings. If they do not, innocent people would be punished for the crimes of the criminals. Those present at the crime would be punished for the crimes of those who committed them and fled. Those found roaming around in the night would be slain. One who will burn other’s houses, I will burn them alive. One who will commit theft after opening a locked door, I shall open his heart with my own sword. Oppressors will be burnt alive in a pit. If anyone is caught talking ignorantly, I will chop off his tongue. But those who obey orders would be treated fairly. For needy people my door is always open. They can approach me anytime they feel that I am prepared to fulfil their needs.
Within a short period, the fitnah died down and the constant threat posed by the Khawarij also diminished as Ziyad ibn Abi Sufyan repeatedly defeated them, which would force them to leave.
Mu’awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan extended Ziyad’s authority, giving him the responsibility of governorship in areas which included Persia, the Jazira region, northern Mesopotamia and Sajistan.
By entrusting Ziyad with these areas, Mu’awiyah effectively ended the threat of future rebellions there.
However, in the year 53 AH, Ziyad ibn Abi Sufyan passed away in Kufa.