The four who never erred in speech

[Shajaa3ah]

al-Asma'i said: "There are four men who never made a grammatical mistake in speech whether in seriousness or in jest: 'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, Ziyad, al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf, and Ibn al-Qiriyyah; and of them all, al-Hajjaj was the most eloquent."

There is the famous speech of al-Hajjaj that he made upon reaching Kufa - he entered the main mosque, ascended the pulpit and said:


» والله إنّي لأرى رؤوساً أينعت وقد حان قطافها وإنّي لصاحبها، وإنّي لأرى الدماء ترقرق بين العمائم واللّحى، والله يا أهل العراق إنّ أمير المؤمنين نثر كنانته بين يديه، فعجم عيدانها، فوجدني أمرّها عوداً وأصلبها مكسراً فرماكم بي، لأنّكم طالما أثرتم الفتنة، واضطجعتم في مراقد الضّلال، والله لأنكّلنّ بكم في البلاد ولأجعلنّكم مثلاً في كل واد، ولأضربنّكم ضرب غرائب الإبل، وإنّي يا أهل العراق لا أعد إلا وفيت، ولا أعزم إلاّ أمضيت (…) فاستوثقوا واستقيموا واعملوا ولا تميلوا وتابعوا وبايعوا، واجتمعوا، واستمعوا، فليس منّي الإهدار و الإكثار وإنمّا هو هذا الِسّيف


As the beauty is in the eloquence, I don't feel to translate it. But as an example...instead of just saying something like 'I'm going to chop all your heads off', he said:

Indeed, I see heads that have ripened and their time of harvest has arrived, and I shall be the one to pluck them...

For all that was wrong with him, his eloquence really was something to be admired.

[Abu Dujanah]

That guy is angry.

[Abu MishMish]

Always quoted in movies. Funny

[Shajaa3ah]

Apparently Yahya ibn Ya'mar witnessed al-Hajjaj making a grammatical error when reciting the Qur'an during salah.


So al-Hajjaj killed him.

[Abu Dujanah]

No long ting...Angry.

[Umm Sahabah]

Oreintalists and modernists muslims need someone like him...:D ...Masha'Allah I love his speeches, he gives u the vibe that he ain't no man to be messed with : )

Excerpt:

Abdul Malik made him governor of Iraq in 75 AH and gave him authority over Basra and Kufah. When he entered Kufah in 75 AH he gave khutbah (sermon) at the central Masjid and ordered the people to assemble there. The Kufaans were accustomed to being rude to their rulers. They used to humiliate the Ameers and governors.
They therefore came with pebbles in their hands with the intention of throwing them at the new Amir. But when Hajjaj began his speech, they were terrified and the pebbles dropped to the floor.

Hajjaaj in his speech said: “A lot of turbans and beards are visible here but very soon they are going to be wet with blood. Many heads are present in this assembly, which will soon be chopped off. Amir ul Mu'mineen examined his quiver and selecting the hardest and the most deadly arrow, shot at you, in other words, he imposed me as your ruler. I will remedy all your ills and lack of discipline and straighten you out completely. You have been the centre of much trouble and disruption. Now the time has come for you to be taught a lesson and your eyes to be opened. Amir ul Mu'mineen has given instructions to disburse your salaries and send you to Muhallab to face the Khawarij. After the disbursement of the salaries, you are given 3 days time. If even a single soul is visible on the 4th day in Kufah, his head will be severed. Remember this is not an empty threat. You will yourselves see with your own eyes. I do what I say."

[NaseehaMan]

Wasn't that the guy that some considered to be a kaafir? But why?

[Umm Sahabah]

Some scholars from the Salaf did make takfeer on al-Hajjaj. Among these were: Tawoos, ash-Sha'bee, Ibraheem an-Nakh'ee, Sa'eed bin Jubayr and Mujahid.

Imam Abu Bakr bin Abi Shaybah said: "We were informed by Qubaysa on the authority of Sufyan, on the authority of Ma'mar on the authority of Ibn Tawoos, on the authority of his father (Tawoos), who said: 'The state of affairs of our brothers in Iraq is strange: They call al-Hajjaj a believer."

Isnad: Weak.

The reason for the weakness is Qubaysa, who alone is trustworthy, but when narrating from Sufyan he has been declared weak. Ibn Abi Khaythama narrated on the authority of Ibn Ma'een, "Qubaysa is reliable narrating from Sufyan, because he heard hadeeth from Sufyan when he was young."

Tawoos' takfeer of al-Hajjaj however is very famous in the books of Islamic history. Refer to Tahtheeb at-Tahtheeb (1/363).


Imaam Ibn Abi Shayba said: "Abu Bakr bin Ayash narrated to us on the authority of al Ajlah on the authority of ash-Sha'bee who said: 'I bear witness that he is a believer in taghoot and a disbeliever in Allah (referring to al-Hajjaj).'"

Isnad: Good (hasan).


Imaam Ibn Abi Shayba said: Wakee' narrated to us (hadathana) on the authority of Sufyan on the authority of Ibraheem who said: "It is enough (misguidance) for him who doubts al-Hajjaj's condition, may Allah bark (i.e. destroy) him."

Isnad: Saheeh.

Al-Haafidh Ibn Katheer (rahimahullah) said: "Abu Bakr bin Khaythama said: Abu Thafr Ja'far bin Sulayman narrated on the authority of Bistam bin Muslim, on the authority of Qatadah who said: 'It was said to Sa'eed bin Jubayr: 'You rebelled (kharajta) against al-Hajjaj.' He replied (i.e. Sa'eed): 'By Allah I did not rebel against him until he disbelieved (hatta kaffar).'"

Yahya bin 'Eesaa ar-Ramlee narrated on the authority of al-A'mash who said: "The people disputed over the affair of al-Hajjaj so they asked Mujahid (the Imaam of Tafseer) and he replied: 'Do you ask me about the kafir Shaykh (referring to al-Hajjaj)?'"

[NaseehaMan]

But why?

[Umm Sahabah]

But why?

I reckon its because some of the things he did...In some cases he went for extreme measures, like when he killed Sa'eed Ibn Jubayr, who was a renowned scholar at the time, wallahu allam.

Let me post the whole thing: : )

Al-Hajjaaj ibn Yusuf Ath-Thaqafee
Sulayman ibn 'Abdul Malik had Muhammad ibn Qasim Thaqafi the conqueror of Sind was killed as he was the nephew of al-Hajjaaj.
And Sulayman ibn Abdul Malik hated al-Hajjaaj.
It was al-Hajjaaj who sent Muhammad ibn Qasim as head of the army to Sind when he was only 17 years old. He conquered Sind (this was in the caliphate of Al-Waleed ibn 'Abdul Malik).
Al-Waleed tried to prevent his brother Sulayman from succeeding him, as he wanted his son to succeed after him.
However he died before he could do this and Sulayman succeeded him. Sulayman hated al-Hajjaj because he had tried to depose him and although al-Hajjaj had died by then he took revenge on his nephew as well as others and he recalled Muhammad ibn Qasim and had him killed.
It was Sulayman ibn 'Abdul Malik who named 'Umar ibn 'Abdul 'Azeez as his successor. Sulayman was only caliph for 3 years or so.
Al-Hajjaaj ibn Yusuf Ath-Thaqafi is a very controversial figure. He was the one who first issued Islamic coins amongst other things. He is mentioned in some detail in 'history of Islam vol 2 by Najeebabadi translated by Safi ur Rahman Mubarakpuri.
Here is some info on al-Hajjaaj there is a lot more but Insha’Allah this will give you an idea of who he was...
Al-Hajjaaj ibn Yusuf Ath Thaqafi

He was extremely harsh in his treatment of many and committed many excesses while he was governor of the Hijaaz for the caliph 'Abdul Malik but he fought jihad with the same harshness against the Khawarij and the kufaar and he extended the borders of Dar ul Islam greatly.
Abdul Malik made him governor of Iraq in 75 AH and gave him authority over Basra and Kufah.
When he entered Kufah in 75 AH he gave khutbah (sermon) at the central Masjid and ordered the people to assemble there.
The Kufaans were accustomed to being rude to their rulers. They used to humiliate the Ameers and governors.
They therefore came with pebbles in their hands with the intention of throwing them at the new Amir. But when Hajj began his speech, they were terrified and the pebbles dropped to the floor.
Hajjaaj in his speech said: “A lot of turbans and beards are visible here but very soon they are going to be wet with blood. Many heads are present in this assembly, which will soon be chopped off. Amir ul Mu'mineen examined his quiver and selecting the hardest and the most deadly arrow, shot at you, in other words, he imposed me as your ruler. I will remedy all your ills and lack of discipline and straighten you out completely. You have been the centre of much trouble and disruption. Now the time has come for you to be taught a lesson and your eyes to be opened. Amir ul Mu'mineen has given instructions to disburse your salaries and send you to Muhallab to face the Khawarij. After the disbursement of the salaries, you are given 3 days time. If even a single soul is visible on the 4th day in Kufah, his head will be severed. Remember this is not an empty threat. You will yourselves see with your own eyes. I do what I say."
Hajjaaj stood up and went to the Ameers headquarters and began to disburse their salaries.
An old man who was shaking due to his old age came and said, “I am an old man. My son is younger than I please send him in my place".
Hajjaaj said, "What is your name? He said, "Umayr ibn Dabi Barjam.i"
Hajjaaj said, "Are you the same Umayr ibn Dabi who attacked Uthman ibn 'Affan's house?
He said, "Yes."
Hajjaaj said, "What persuaded you to do such a thing?”
He said, "Uthman had imprisoned my father when he was very old."
Hajjaaj said, "I don't like for you to remain alive." He then ordered that he should be killed and his house ransacked.
On the third day he announced: "Whosoever stays in his house tonight and does not proceed to join Muhallab's army, he will be slain."
Hearing that people began to set out and very soon, a strong army assembled to face the Khawarij under Muhallab's command.
Hajjaj appointed Urwah ibn Mugheerah ibn Shu'bah as his deputy and he proceeded to Basra. At Basra he delivered the same Khutbah with the same results.
Muhallab under the command of Hajjaj was able to defeat the Khawarij in 76 AH.
In 78 AH when he was governor of Khurasaan and Sajistan and Sindh, his commanders fought the Hindus and Turks and Mongols.
It was Al-Hajjaj who founded the city of Waasit in Iraq, and then he built a Masjid there and his military headquarters.
When Abdul Malik had the first Islamic coins printed to replace the roman ones it was Hajjaj who had Qul huwa laahu Ahad, "Say He is Allah, the One" minted on one side. This was in 75AH.
Hajjaj sent 6000 troops under the command of his nephew and son in law Muhammad ibn Qasim ibn Thaqafi he was only 17 year's old and he conquered India and Sindh.
He died 95 AH after being governor of Iraq for 20 years he appointed his son 'Abdullah ibn Al-Hajjaj as governor of Iraq after him.
From the history of Islam vol 2 by Akbar Shah Najeebabadi.
Pages 151-189.
Sa'eed ibn Jubayr supported 'Abdur Rahman ibn Muhammad ibn Ash'ath when he rebelled against Hajjaj in 82 AH. They fought several battles until 83 AH when Abdur Rahman ibn Muhammad was finally defeated.
Hajjaj's hard temperament had harassed the Iraqis to the extent that many of them after getting tired of him fled from Iraq and settled in Mecca and medina where 'Umar ibn 'Abdul 'Azeez was governor. He treated them kindly. In 93 AH 'Umar ibn 'Abdul 'Azeez wrote a letter to Al-Waleed complaining about Hajjaj and that he had put Iraq through a long period of persecution. He also complained that Hajjaj had also crossed the limits by perpetuating atrocities against the people of Iraq. When Hajjaj came to know about these complaints he sent a letter to Al-Waleed making the counter complaint against 'Umar ibn 'Abdul 'Azeez saying that most of the trouble makers and hypocrites wanted in Iraq go to 'Umar ibn 'Abdul 'Azeez and he creates hurdles in their arrest. This will prove very harmful for the running of our administration. It is only proper that you remove him from the governorship of the Hijaz. Al-Waleed removed 'Umar ibn 'Abdul 'Azeez and appointed Khalid ibn 'Abdullah and 'Uthman ibn Hibbaan as the governors of Mecca and medina. Immediately after assuming power, Khalid turned all the Iraqis out of Mecca and also threatened those who had rented out houses to them. Sa'eed ibn Jubayr who was one of those who had migrated to Mecca in order to escape from Hajjaj's atrocities Khalid arrested him and handed him over to al-Hajjaj who killed him.
Sulayman ibn 'Abdul Malik was expecting to become caliph after the death of Al-Waleed ibn 'Abdul Malik because 'Abdul Malik had made him heir apparent to Al-Waleed and had taken bayah (pledge) for this. Al-Waleed wanted his own son 'Abdul 'Azeez to be his heir and wanted to deprive his brother Sulayman of the caliphate. He had spoken to his deputies regarding this and al-Hajjaj and Qutaybah ibn Muslim appreciated the idea but the others warned him against this idea saying, "There is great danger o f this action causing fitnah". That same month al-Hajjaj died in Shawwaal 95AH.
From history of Islam….
This episode is the direct cause of the killing of al-Hajjaj's nephew, Muhammad Al-Qasim the conqueror of Sind the noble Mujahid. He was killed because he was al-Hajjaj's nephew.
And also the killing of Qutaybah and 11 others from his family when he rebelled against the caliphate of Sulayman.
The character of Hajjaj ibn Yusuf Ath-Thaqaafi is a complex issue and should be studied in all that he did and accomplished.
We should be careful in our judgments of those Muslims who have gone before us, as these were extremely turbulent times.
And harshness and excessiveness does not take you out of Islam.
He was by all accounts pious and feared Allah and did not rule or govern other than by the laws of Allah. But it is also true that he committed many atrocities and was exceedingly harsh in the treatment of his "enemies".
It is also to be mentioned that the Sahabahs continued to pray behind al-Hajjaj. And that 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar prayed behind him as well.
There is a narration regarding the death of 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar that he regarded al-Hajjaj as being responsible for his death.
There are many narrations regarding him:
Narrated Salim:
'Abdul Malik wrote to Al-Hajjaj that he should not differ from Ibn 'Umar during Hajj. On the Day of 'Arafat, when the sun declined at midday, Ibn 'Umar came along with me and shouted near Al-Hajjaj's cotton (cloth) tent. Al-Hajjaj came out; wrapping himself with a waist-sheet dyed with safflower, and said, "O Abu Abdur-Rahman! What is the matter?" He said, “If you want to follow the Sunnah (the tradition of the Prophet (p.b.u.h) then proceed (to 'Arafat)." Al-Hajjaj asked, "At this very hour?" Ibn 'Umar said, "Yes." He replied, "Please wait for me till I pour some water over my head (i.e. take a bath) and come out." Then Ibn 'Umar dismounted and waited till Al-Hajjaj came out. So, he (Al-Hajjaj) walked in between me and my father (Ibn 'Umar). I said to him, "If you want to follow the Sunnah then deliver a brief sermon and hurry up for the stay at 'Arafat." He started looking at 'Abdullah (Ibn 'Umar) (inquiringly), and when 'Abdullah noticed that, he said that he had told the truth.
Another issue involving al-Hajjaj was the siege of Mecca and medina and the killing of 'Abdullah ibn az-Zubayr who was the caliph of the hijaaz in the time of 'Abdul Malik.
Abdul Malik wanted to attack Mecca but he could not get anyone to face 'Abdullah ibn az-Zubayr who was caliph in the Hijaaz. However he induced al-Hajjaaj to do it. Hajjaj took 3,000 soldiers and left Kufah in 72 AH and went to medina, then to Ta'if. Abdul Malik sent 5,000 more soldiers and sent Tariq ibn 'Amr to attack medina, after this he moved to Mecca to help Hajjaj. He laid siege to Mecca during the month of Ramadhan; it was during the time of Hajj as well.
'Abdullah ibn az-Zubayr was killed, this was in 73 AH, along with many other noble companions and Tabi'een and Hajjaj had his body crucified. The final fighting was in the area around the Ka'bah. Al-Hajjaj then pulled down the Ka'bah and rebuilt it as it was before.
This is also from history of Islam.
Some scholars from the Salaf did make takfeer on al-Hajjaj. Among these were: Tawoos, ash-Sha'bee, Ibraheem an-Nakh'ee, Sa'eed bin Jubayr and Mujahid.
Imam Abu Bakr bin Abi Shaybah said: "We were informed by Qubaysa on the authority of Sufyan, on the authority of Ma'mar on the authority of Ibn Tawoos, on the authority of his father (Tawoos), who said: 'The state of affairs of our brothers in Iraq is strange: They call al-Hajjaj a believer."
Isnad: Weak.
The reason for the weakness is Qubaysa, who alone is trustworthy, but when narrating from Sufyan he has been declared weak. Ibn Abi Khaythama narrated on the authority of Ibn Ma'een, "Qubaysa is reliable narrating from Sufyan, because he heard hadeeth from Sufyan when he was young."
Tawoos' takfeer of al-Hajjaj however is very famous in the books of Islamic history. Refer to Tahtheeb at-Tahtheeb (1/363).

Imaam Ibn Abi Shayba said: "Abu Bakr bin Ayash narrated to us on the authority of al Ajlah on the authority of ash-Sha'bee who said: 'I bear witness that he is a believer in taghoot and a disbeliever in Allah (referring to al-Hajjaj).'"
Isnad: Good (hasan).

Imaam Ibn Abi Shayba said: Wakee' narrated to us (hadathana) on the authority of Sufyan on the authority of Ibraheem who said: "It is enough (misguidance) for him who doubts al-Hajjaj's condition, may Allah bark (i.e. destroy) him."
Isnad: Saheeh.
Al-Haafidh Ibn Katheer (rahimahullah) said: "Abu Bakr bin Khaythama said: Abu Thafr Ja'far bin Sulayman narrated on the authority of Bistam bin Muslim, on the authority of Qatadah who said: 'It was said to Sa'eed bin Jubayr: 'You rebelled (kharajta) against al-Hajjaj.' He replied (i.e. Sa'eed): 'By Allah I did not rebel against him until he disbelieved (hatta kaffar).'"
Yahya bin 'Eesaa ar-Ramlee narrated on the authority of al-A'mash who said: "The people disputed over the affair of al-Hajjaj so they asked Mujahid (the Imaam of Tafseer) and he replied: 'Do you ask me about the kafir Shaykh (referring to al-Hajjaj)?'"

[Shajaa3ah]

al-Zubaydi recorded mistakes made by 'Abd al-Malik (Tabaqaat al-Nahawiyyeen wa al-Mufassireen p22)

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y132/o1a/Smilies/1011.gif Two down, two to go.