MUSJIDUL HAQ

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The actual name of Safah Abul Abbas is Abdullah. He is also considered as the first of the Abbasid Khalifahs. He came into power in 132 A.H. and died in 136 A.H. in a place called Al Ambaar. During his era, the Abbasid Dynasty entered a phase of reconstruction and exited a phase of revolution and counter revolution. Many historians have remained silent about his actual accomplishments. However, some have given the opinion that he was a sensible, intelligent and clever person.

The actual meaning of “Safah” is “blood shed”. In fact this person was an ardent enemy of anyone belonging to the Bani Ummayad Dynasty. He had many individuals connected with the previous Ummayad Dynasty killed and this is one of the reasons that he was called “Safah.”

It is quite obvious that when the Abbasid Dynasty came into existence, many people who were connected with the previous dynasty went into hiding. They had the fear that they would be caught and killed. At the same time, it was also the habit of these people to go out every day in search of anyone who had anything to do with the past dynasty.

Among the famous people from the past dynasty that remained in hiding was a person called Ebrahim bin Sulayman bin Abdul Maalik bin Marwan. However, certain people close to the Khalifah Safah spoke on his behalf and he was pardoned by the Khalifah and given a safe passage to travel whereever he wished. Ebrahim bin Sulayman also appeared in front of the Khalifah and sought pardon for his past transgressions. The Khalifah then pardoned him and he was once again given a respectable position and became one of the close aids to the present Khalifah.

One day, Khalifah Safah called this person and asked him, “You remained in hiding for a very lengthy period. If there is any strange incident you may have seen during this time, it would be interesting to hear it.”

Ebrahim then began to relate one of the most amazing experiences he had encountered when he was in hiding. This also proves the amazing manner in which a true Arab keeps to his word and promise. Ebrahim continues, “When the warrant was issued for my arrest, I began to travel here and there looking for a place of refuge. However, I hardly found any peace. I continued running until I arrived at a place called Hirah and took refuge with a Bedouin. Obviously, all of this was because I knew that death was behind me and I continued to be on the run. I also experienced extreme fear not knowing when I will be captured.

“One day, while I was sitting on the roof, I saw some riders on the horizon approaching the house. These were people that were coming from Kufah towards Hirah. I felt extreme fear and realized that these people were coming to capture me. Perhaps someone had revealed where I was hiding. The caravan was at quite a distance and thinking it was still safe, I decided to escape from this place and run towards Kufah.

“When I entered this city, I did not know anyone and everything was very strange to me. I continued to walk around the city not knowing anyone. I also looked at each person thinking that this person was also after me. Suddenly, I saw a large mansion whose door was also very large. I thought that perchance the owner of this house was a rich and powerful person and without thinking, I entered the verandah of this house without first seeking permission. I then noticed the owner of the house who was dressed in expensive clothing and he had an air of respect and stature with him. When he saw me, he asked me what I wanted and where I had come from. I replied, ‘I am someone who fears his own death and because of this I am running around and I have come to seek your protection.’

“He then instructed me to enter the house. Inside the house, there was a private room and he ordered me to stay in this room. Such was the manner of this kind person that every day, he brought me all types of food.

“I continued to stay in this house without any disturbance and he never asked me anything or who I was. He also never asked me what crime I had committed and who were these people that were looking for me. However, one thing I do remember is that every morning, he used to leave in the morning and return at the time of midday.

“One day, I mustered the strength and asked him, ‘I see that you leave every morning. What work or task do you leave for?’

“He replied, ‘My father was killed by a person named Ebrahim bin Sulayman bin Abdul Maalik bin Marwan. I have also come to know through reliable sources that he is hiding in a place called Hirah. I go to this place every day so that I can search for this person and also take revenge for the death of my father.’

“When I heard these words, I went into a state of shock I knew then that I would certainly die in this place. I then asked him his name and his father’s name and when he revealed this to me, I knew that he was speaking the truth about what happened to his father and that I was actually the person who had killed his father.

“I then said to him, ‘You have indeed being a very kind host and the time has come for me to repay you for your kindness. Without doubt, you have taken care of me and therefore, it should only be fair that I repay you for this kindness. I will show you where the person is who you are looking for.’

“He then became excited and asked me where this person was hiding. I then said to him, ‘I am the person who you are seeking. The murderer of your father is standing in front of you. I wish to inform you that my name is Ebrahim bin Sulayman bin Abdul Maalik bin Marwan and you may extract your revenge on me.’

“He then began to laugh and said that I was joking and because I was on the run, I had lost my mind.

“However, I replied, ‘There is nothing of this nature. I do not wish to hide the truth from you any longer. I am the actual murderer of your father and I had killed him on a certain time and at a certain place.’

“When he heard me explaining the actual event, his entire complexion changed and his face also became red and his eyes were full of anger. He then began to pace up and down as if he was thinking of something. In fact, it looked like he was busy trying to make a decision. He then approached me and said, ‘There is no doubt that one day, you will meet my father in front of the Divine Creator Almighty and on that day, you will have to answer for your crime. As for me personally, I had given you refuge and also protection and I am not prepared to break my promise or pact with you. I also consider it a matter of insult to break my oath and pact with anyone. However, my request is that you immediately leave my house because if you stay here any longer, there is a possibility that my Nafs might force me kill you and take revenge for my father’s murder.’

“Another amazing occurrence is that this person then presented me with a thousand Dinaars and said to me, ‘This is your travelling expenses. Take this and leave.’ I felt extreme embarrassment to accept this money and immediately left this house.

“This is one of the strangest incidents I had experienced in those days when I was on the run. I also admit that if there is any person besides you who has shown such kindness to me in life, it had to be that person whom I had just described. He had given me a shelter when I was in great danger and in spite of coming to know that I had killed his father, he had pardoned me.” (Taarik Madina and Damascus, Ibn Asaakir, 416)