Biography Video of Shaheed Ameer-e-Mukhtar-e-Saqafi [R.A]

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Mukhtar e Saqafi (A.S) was the one who took revenge from the murderers of Imam Hussain (AS) the grandson ofHazrat Muhammad (SAWW).  Hazrat Mukhtar e Saqaf (AS) was born in 1st hijri in Taif. He and his father went to Madina in the era of second caliphate. After the martyrdom of Mukhtar e Saqafi's father in a war, he was sent to Kufa by the war administration.

 Hazrat Ali a.s Predicted About Mukhtar e Saqafi A.S

Hazrat Ali  ibne Abu Talib (AS) (The Lion of God) predicted about Mukhtar e Saqafi a.s in his childhood that “He is a wise child and he will be a treatment of all wounds of Shiites"

Hazrat Mukhtar a.s was a real hero of Islam who took revenge from all the murderers of Imam Hussain Ibne Ali (AS)and his companions. Salutations to this great hero of Islam.

Mukhtar’s Movement

Imam a.s said that even a slave stands to take our revenge, we will pray for him and our believers should help him.

Mukhtar r.a was brought up in the family of Commanders; his father & brother led Muslim Army in several wars. His uncle assisted Imam Hasan a.s. Therefore, Mukhtar r.a was well aware and well prepared with the contemporary situation of his time.

Mukhtars movement started when Imam Hussain a.s started journey towards Karbala, Mukhtar a.s was gathering nearby tribes for support of Imam Hussain a.s. But unfortunately after martyrdom of Hazrat Muslim bin Aqeel a.s in kufa, Mukhtar was deceitfully caught by Ubaidullah bin Ziyad(Governor of Kufa appointed by Yazid l.a) and was imprisoned in Al-Tamura. Thereafter, he was prevented to join the army of Imam Hussain a.s in karbala. In same prison, Mesam e Tammar a.s was also kept who praised Mukhtar that he will be released and will take vengeance of the blood of Imam Hussain a.s.

An account of the Tawwabeen (Penitents)

When Imam Husayn (a.s.) was martyred and (Ubaydullah) Ibn Ziyad returned from Nukhaylah to Kufa, the Shi'ah disputed with one another in reproach and repentance. They realized their great sin that they invited Imam Husayn (a.s.) and later withdrew their hands from assisting and complying him, while he was killed in their very neighborhood. They realized that until and unless they either killed his murderers or were themselves killed, the sin and disgrace could not be washed off.

The main difference between the Tawwabeen movement and Mukhtars movement was that the former was led under the supervision of Sulayman bin Surad Khuza'ee, who was from among the companions of the Prophet (S), whereas, Mukhtars movement was supervised by Muhammad e Hanfia as per the instructions of  Imam Zain ul Abideen a.s.

Alliance with Abdullah Ibn Zubayr

Mukhtar r.a joined Abdullah Ibn Zubayr for the reason that both has same motive. Mukhtar joined Ibn Zubair on following conditions

·    You shall not do anything which is not in consent to me,

·    You shall consider me as the leading one in your kingdom, and

·    When you revolt, you shall present me with the best of your tasks

But later on after death of Yazid ibn Muayiwah l.a, Ibn Zubair changed his stance and seek to gain power while keeping aside the agreement of Mukhtar. On this Mukhtar left Ibn Zubair and proceeded towards Kufa to accomplish his mission.

Reorganization of Shias in Kufa

Mukhtar r.a, gathered Shias in Kufa and after praising Allah, said, “Mahdi, the son of the Successor (of Prophet) (referring to Muhammad bin Hanafiyah), has sent me to you so as to be (his) trustworthy (authority), deputy, master and commander. He has ordered me to kill the renegades and seek revenge for the blood of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) and aid the weak. You are the first ones among the creatures of Allah to yield”. They offered their hands to him and pledged allegiance. A similar proposal was sent to the Shi'ah who were with Sulayman bin Surad and informed them that, “Sulayman has no expertise with regards to battle and is inexperienced. He desires to induce you to rebel and forwards you towards death along with himself. While I shall undertake with schemes and shall act according to the order of light (guidance) which has been bestowed upon me. I shall help the friends and kill the enemies thereby pleasing your hearts. Then listen to my words, take heed and scatter”.

He assembled a group of Shi'ah around him through such propaganda and they started visiting him. They accepted him as a notable, while the noblemen among the Shi'ah rallied around Sulayman and they would consider none equal to him, while he was more of a burden for Mukhtar than anyone else and he awaited the conclusion of Sulayman's mission. 

Revolt in Kufa

Mukhtar a.s was again imprisoned in Kufa whereas Tawwabeen rose to fight with the Syrians and many got martyred in the battle. Tawwabeens who were left joined Mukhtar and after his release, he took revenge from the murderers of Karabal. Ibraheem bin Ashtar a.s also joined Mukhtar in this mission, thus launching forceful battle against the tyrants.   

Martyrdom of Hazrat Mukhtar e Saqafi

Mus'ab formed a big army and headed for Kufa. He took Mukhtar by surprise. Ibraheem al-Ashtar was in Mousal City. Mukhtar faced Bin al-Zubair with his small army. Mus'ab's army followed Mukhtar to Kufa. It besieged his palace. The siege went on for four months. Mukhtar tried to raise the siege. He ordered the Kufians to make street clashes. But they disobeyed him. On 14th Ramadan, Mukhtar decided to leave his palace. He said to his companions:

“The siege will weaken us more and more! Let's go out and die martyrs.”

Only seventeen persons obeyed Mukhtar. They went out to fight the big army that surrounded his palace. Mukhtar was sixty-seven years old. He fought bravely. Then he died a martyr for Islam in Masjid e Kufa taking his last breath at the musalla of masjid where Imam Ali a.s was injured on 21^st Ramzan.

“Think not of those who were slain in the cause of Allah as dead. Nay, they are alive, finding their sustenance with their Lord (Surah ale-Imran, 3:169)“.

References:

·         Mukhtar al-Thaqafi by  Kamal al-Syyed

·         Nafasul Mahmum by  Sheikh Abbas Qummi

·         Abstracts from speech of Molana Sadiq Hasan.