Sunni view of Yazid I

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There is no Sunni consensus on the nature of Husayn's opposition to Yazid's rule and Yazid's culpability in Husayn's death. Some scholars have claimed that Husayn opposed Yazid's ascension to the Caliphate but did not actively revolt against him, and that Husayn's killing was ordered not by Yazid but by the Umayyad governor of Iraq, Ubaidallah ibn Ziyad[citation needed]. Others have refrained from taking a position on the matter, claiming that although Husayn's death was a tragic and unfortunate event, the evidence on exactly how it occurred and who bears responsibility is too inconclusive to merit judgment. This view is mainly taken by those who are concerned to maintain the reputation of Muawiyah as a wise and legitimate caliph. They do not wish to question Muawiyah's choice of his son as his successor. However, some others have joined the Shi'a position, cursing Yazid and denouncing him as an illegitimate ruler. In any event, Sunnis generally avoid ascribing religious significance to the events at Karbala.

Among the Sunni view of Yazid I include:

Contents

[edit] Positive views

[edit] Neutral views

The Fatwa of Imam Ahmad that Yazeed has been cursed in the Qur'an We also read in Tafeer Mazhari as follows: "Qadhi Abu Ya'ala in his own book al Muthamud al Usul that Saleh Ibn Hanbal asked his father Ahmad: 'Some people state, 'We are the friends of Yazeed'. Abu Hanifa replied 'If people have faith in Allah, then it is unlikely that they also have faith in Yazeed, and why should they for this is a man that has been cursed in the Qur'an. I asked 'Where is Yazeed cursed in the Qur'an?' He replied "Have fear… when spread Fitnah through the land - these are people that Allah has cursed" - can there be a greater fitnah that killing Husayn?'"

The Ulema of Ahl'ul Sunnah deemed it permissible to curse Yazeed

The Fiqh Imams deemed cursing Yazeed to be an act of worship Ibn Khalikan in Wafayaath page 412 whilst discussing the biography of the Shafi'i scholar Abu Hassan bin 'Ali bin Muhammad bin 'Ali al Tabari al Amadadeen al Maroof al Bakeeya al Iraas al Shafeeya, states that:

"He (the above) was once asked 'Can Yazeed who was born during the Khilafat of Hadhrath Umar be counted as a Companion, and what have the Salaf elders said in relation to cursing him? He replied, 'There are two statements of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal on this; one is an indication (that you can), the other direct (both that you can). These two views were also given by Imam Malik and by Imam 'Abu Hanifa. We (those who follow imam Shafi'is fatwas) have only one fatwa in this regard, that it is permissible to curse Yazeed, he should be cursed since he used to play chess, would hunt with Cheetahs and drank alcohol".

Allamah Taftazani said Yazeed was worthy of more than just cursing We read in Sharh Muqassad: "The harms that were inflicted on the Ahl'ul bayt after the Sahaba are acts that cannot be covered up. These acts were so heinous that they cannot be hidden - all including animals testify to their suffering. Their pain was such that the earth and skies shed tears and beat themselves when their suffering is retold - and retelling this shall continue until the Day of Judgement. May Allah's curse be upon those that perpetuated injustices, and those that helped them (to carry out these acts). The curse on these individuals shall be even greater in the next world. If some Ulema are opposed to cursing, then it should be known that Yazeed deserves more than just cursing".

'Allamah Baghdadi's Fatwa - Yazeed denied the Prophethood', to curse him is an act of Ibadath We read in Tafseer Ruh al Ma'ani page 72 commentary of Surah Muhammad: "The wicked Yazeed failed to testify to the Prophethood of Hadhrath Muhammad (s). He also perpetrated acts against the residents of Makka, Medina and the family of the Prophet (s). He indulged in these acts against them during their lives and after their deaths. These acts are so conclusively proven that had he placed the Qur'an in his hands it would have testified to his kuffar. His being a fasiq and fajir did not go unnoticed by the Ulema of Islam, but the Salaf had no choice but to remain silent as they were living under threat. If we for arguments sake accept that Yazeed was a Muslim who lapsed and committed wrongs, one should know that a man of the rank of Alusi deemed it permissible to curse him by name as he [Yazeed] was a living example of atrocious acts and it is a well-known fact that he never sought forgiveness for killing the family of the Prophet (s) and other acts. The claim that he asked for forgiveness is even weaker than the claim that he possessed iman. When cursing him the names of Ibn Ziyad and Umar bin Sa'd should also be added, may Allah's curse be on them all…. curse till the Day of Judgement, until then our eyes shall shed tears for Husayn's suffering. If someone does not wish to curse by name through fear [that they might be wrong, such as Ghazali], then he should say 'May God's curse be upon those that were pleased at Husayn's killing, those that subjected sufferings on the family of the Prophet, who usurped their rights - when making such a curse Yazeed's name comes to the top of the list. No one can oppose this method of cursing save Ibn Arabi and his like minded supporters and this is major misguidance on their part - it is worse that the misguidance of Yazeed". Taftazani, a mainstream Sunni scholar, is reprimanding certain Sufi elements for taking one of their principles too far - that harbouring feelings of hatred to someone impairs progress on the spiritual path, which is not the case when cursing Yazeed as it falls into the realm of forbidding evil. Some Sufis reconcile this as they all accept Husayn (as) as possessed of great spiritual munificence by 'distancing' themselves from Yazeed. Others curse Yazeed. It is important to note that Sufi Sheikhs are not usually experts on the religious traditions (Hadith), law or history, whatever their spiritual standing might be. This is not denied by any Sufis except fanatical devotees. In this realm the four Sunni imams supersede, all of whom said it was permissible to curse Yazeed.

[edit] Negative views

Those holding a negative view state that the Hanafis, Hanbalis and Shafi'is deemed it permissible to curse Yazid. They also accuse him of homosexuality, pedophilia, zoophilia and incest with his mother sisters and daughters. He is further accused of being a drunkard that had abandoned the daily prayer and being personaly responsible for killing Husayn ibn Ali, the rape and pillage of Mecca and Medina and setting the Kaaba on fire. Further, he is accused of the killing of large number of Sahaba who were on the Muslim side during the Battle of Badr as revenge for his non-Muslim Meccan relatives who were killed in battle by Muslims.


[edit] Ibn Kathir

Ibn Kathir, a 14th century Sunni Shafi'i Islamic scholar writes:

“ Traditions inform us that Yazeed loved worldly vices, would drink, listen to kept the company of boys with no facial hair [1], played drums, kept dogs [2], not a day would go by when he was not in a drunken state [3] ”
“ Muslim was ordered to ransack Medina for three days. Yazeed committed a major sin. Sahaba and their children were slaughtered openly; other heinous acts were also perpetuated. We have already mentioned that he had Ibn Ziyad kill the grandson of Rasulullah (s) Husayn and his companions. In those three days in Madina, it is difficult to mention the type of acts that were carried out. By doing this act Yazeed wanted to secure his governance, in the same way Allah (swt) broke the neck of every Pharoah, the true King (swt) also broke the neck of Yazeed."

...

"Rasulullah (s) said whoever perpetuated injustice and frightened the residents of Medina, the curse (la'nat) of Allah (swt), His Angels and all people is on such a person [4]

 ”
“ When Yazeed wrote to Ibn Ziyad ordering him to fight Ibn Zubayr in Makka, he said 'I can't obey this fasiq. I killed the grandson of Rasulullah (sawas) upon his orders, I'm not now going to assault the Kaaba'. [5] ”
“ Ibn Asakir, writing on Yazeed, states then when Husayn's head was brought before Yazeed, he recited the couplets of Ibn Zubayri the kaafir 'I wish my ancestors of Badr were here to see the severed head of the rebellious tribe (The Prophet (saws's tribe of Hashim). [6] ”
“ Whoever frightens Medina incurs the wrath of Allah, His Angels and all the people - and some Ulema have deemed it permissible to curse Yazeed. This includes individuals such as Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Allamah Hilalee, Abu Bakr Abdul Aziz, Qadhi Abu Ya'ala and his son Qadhi Abu Husayn. Ibn Jauzi wrote a book deeming it permissible to curse Yazeed [7] ”

[edit] Ali ibn al-Athir

Ali ibn al-Athir, a 13th century Sunni Islamic scholar transmited [8]:

A narration attributed to Munzir ibn Zabeer reports:

“ Verily Yazeed rewarded me with 100,000 dirhams but this cannot stop me from highlighting his state, By Allah he is a drunkard… ”

[edit] Al-Dhahabi

Al-Dhahabi, a 14th century Sunni Shafi'i Islamic scholar transmited [9]:

A narration attributed to Ziyad Hurshee reports:

“ Yazeed gave me alcohol to drink, I had never drunk alcohol like that before and I enquired where he had obtained its ingredients'. Yazeed replied 'it is made of sweet pomegranate, honey from Isfahan, sugar from Hawaz and grapes from Burdah…Yazeed indulged in alcohol and would participate in actions that opposed the dictates set by Allah (swt) ”

[edit] Ibn Jauzi

Ibn Jauzi in Wafa al-Wafa

“ Yazeed appointed his cousin Uthman bin Muhammad bin Abu Sufyan as Governor of Madina. He sent a delegation to visit Yazeed who bore gifts so that they might take the oath of allegiance to him. Upon their return they said 'We have returned having visited a man who has no religion, he drinks, plays instruments, keeps the company of singers and dogs [2], we declare that we have broken our allegiance to him. Abdullah bin Abi Umro bin Hafs Mukhzumee commented 'Yazeed gave me gifts. But the reality is this man is an enemy of Allah (SWT) and a drunkard. I shall separate myself from him in the same way that I remove my turban [from my head]…. ”

[edit] Ibn Hajar al-Haytami

Ibn Hajar al-Haytami, a 16th century Sunni Shafi'i Islamic scholar calls Yazeed one of the most debased men in history.

“ One group have deemed Yazeed to be a kaafir, another has stated he was a Muslim but a fasiq (transgressor), a fajir (one that commits debauchery) and a drunkard. There is consensus over his fisq (transgression). One party of Ulema have stated that you can curse him by name, this includes individuals such as Ibn Jauzi and Ahmad. One group made up of individuals such as Ibn Jauzi deem Yazeed a kaafir, others say he was not a kaafir but rather this is a matter that has caused a difference of opinion.

The majority of Ahl'ul Sunnah all agree that he was a fasiq (transgressor), a fajir (one that commits debauchery) and a drunkard. Waqidi had recorded a narration 'Verily we opposed Yazeed fearing Allah (swt) would reign stones down on us, Yazeed considered nikah (marriage) with mothers and sisters to be permissible and drank alcohol".

...

"Dhahabi narrates that when Abdullah bin Kuzai returned from Damascus he stated that Yazeed performs zina with his mother, sister and daughters. We had better start a movement to oppose Yazeed otherwise stones may reign down on us [10]

 ”

[edit] Shah Abdul Aziz

Shah Abdul Aziz, a 19th century Sunni Deobandi Islamic scholar states:

“ Imam Husayn did not give baiah to Yazeed because he was a drunkard, a fasiq and Dhaalim. [11]: ”

Also:

“ "Upon the orders of Yazeed the disgraceful people from Syria and Iraq killed Imam Husayn. [12]: ”

[edit] Ibn Taymiya

Ibn Taymiya, a 14th century Sunni Hanbali Salafi Islamic scholar writes:

“ Yazeed had the sword and hence he had the power to deal with anyone that opposed him. He had the power to reward his subjects with the contents of the treasury, and could also withhold their rights. He had the power to punish criminals; it is in this context that we can understand that he was the khalifah and king. Issues such as Yazeed's piety or lack of it, or his honesty or lack of it, is another matter. In all of his actions Yazeed was not just, there is no dispute amongst the people of Islam on this matter. [13] ”

[edit] Ibn Khaldun

Ibn Khaldun, a 14th century Sunni Islamic scholar writes:

“ Yazeed's time of governance can be seen as fisq and debauchery, and the blame is on Mu'awiya who should have controlled him [14] ”

[edit] Abu al-Fida

Abu al-Fida, a 14th century Sunni Islamic scholar writes:

“ Yazeed played the tambourine, drank alcohol and raised bears [2] [15] ”

[edit] Qadi Thanaullah Panipati

Qadi Thanaullah Panipati, a 19th century Sunni Hanafi Islamic scholar wrote:

“ Yazeed deemed drinking alcohol to be Halaal, and he recited these couplets 'if the Deen of Ahmad deems alcohol to be haraam… [16] ”
“ The Banu Umayya were initially kaafir, then some of them presented themselves as Muslim. Yazeed then became a kaafir. The Banu Umayya maintained their enmity towards the family of the Prophet (sawas), and killed Husayn in a cruel manner. The kaafir Yazeed committed kufr in relation to the Deen of Muhammad (sawas) proven by the fact that at the time of the killing of Husayn he made a pointed reference to avenging the deaths of his kaafir ancestors slain in Badr. He acted against the family of Muhammad (sawas), Banu Hashim and in his drunken state he praised the Banu Umayya and cursed the Banu Hashim from the pulpit [17] ”

[edit] Muhammad Majid 'Ali Shakir

Shariat Muhammad Majid 'Ali Shakir stated:

“ Some say 'Why should we discuss such a thing since he [Yazeed] was a King and he [Husayn] was also a King' - one who makes such comments {refusing to hold opinion on Yazeed and Husayn) is accursed, a Kharijee, Nasibi and hell bound. The dispute is over whether he [Yazeed] was a kaafir. The madhab of Abu Hanifa stipulates that he was a fasiq and fajir, nor was he a kaafir nor a Muslim [18] ”

[edit] Muhammad Zakariya al-Kandahlawi

Muhammad Zakariya al-Kandahlawi, a 20th century Sunni Hanbali Deobandi Islamic scholar wrote:

“ The army that Yazeed had sent to Medina comprised of 60,000 horsemen and 15,000 foot soldiers. For three days they shed blood freely, 1000 women were raped and 700 from the Quraysh and Ansar were killed. Ten thousand women and children were made slaves. Muslim bin Uqba forced people to give bayya to Yazeed in such a manner that people were enslaved and Yazeed could sell them as he pleased, no Sahaba who were [with the Prophet (saws)] at Hudaibiya were spared". All the Badr Sahaba were killed in this battle. [19] ”

[edit] Mahmud al-Alusi

Mahmud al-Alusi, a 19th century Sunni Islamic scholar wrote:

“ Yazeed the impure denied the Prophethood of Rasulullah (s). The treatment that he meted out to the people of Makka, Medina and the family of the Prophet proves that he was a kaafir [20] ”
“ The wicked Yazeed failed to testify to the Prophethood of Hadhrath Muhammad (sawas). He also perpetrated acts against the residents of Makka, Medina and the family of the Prophet (sawas). He indulged in these acts against them during their lives and after their deaths. These acts are so conclusively proven that had he placed the Qur'an in his hands it would have testified to his kuffar. His being a fasiq and fajir did not go unnoticed by the Ulema of Islam, but the Salaf had no choice but to remain silent as they were living under threat. [21] ”
“ Amongst the Shaafi's we are in agreement that it is permissible to curse Yazeed [22] ”

[edit] ?

In Hayaath al Haywaan:

“ Yazeed would hunt with cheetas, play chess and drink alcohol [14] ”

In Tareekh Kamil:

Ibn Khaldun, a 14th century Sunni Islamic scholar writes:

“ The narrator states 'By Allah, Yazeed drinks alcohol and abandons Salat [14] ”

Tareekh Kamil: [[Ibn Abbas replied to a letter of Yazeed stating 'You killed Husayn ibn 'Ali as well as the youth from Banu Abdul Muttalib, who were beacons of guidance." [14]]], a 21st century Sunni Islamic scholar

In Tareekh Khamees:

“ The people of Medina broke the baiah to Yazeed on account of his bad acts, he used to drink alcohol[14] ”

Citing Tadhkira, Maqathil and Shazarath al Dhabah. This is also found in the Arabic (non-Leiden) version of the History of Al-Tabari [14]:

“ When the head of Husayn (R), the grandson of the Holy Prophet (saws), was presented before Yazeed he recited the couplets of the kaafir Zubayri:

"Banu Hashim staged a play for Kingdom there was no news from the skies neither was there any revelation"

 ”

Sharh Fiqh Akbar:

“ Following the murder of Husayn, Yazeed said 'I avenged the killing of my kaafir relatives in Badr through killing the family of the Prophet. [14] ”

Maqathil Husayn:

“ Yazeed wrote a letter to Waleed the Governor of Medina, in which he stated 'Force Husayn to give bayya. Should he refuse then strike off his head and return it to me.' [14] ”

Maqathil al Husayn:

“ Ibn Umar wrote to Yazeed, 'Hasn't your heart gone black yet? You murdered the family of the Prophet?'[14] ”

Mutaalib al Saul:

“ Ibn Ziyad wrote to Husayn 'I have received information that you have arrived in Kerbala, and Yazeed has told me not to kill you, provided you accept his authority and mine.' [14] ”

Ashiath al-Lamaath:

“ It is unusual that some say Yazeed did not kill Husayn when he instructed Ibn Ziyad to carry out the killing". [14] ”

[edit] References

Prose contains specific citations in source text which may be viewed in edit mode.

  1. ^ civil expression for paedophilia boys, a form of homosexuality
  2. ^ a b c civil expression for bestiality
  3. ^ Al Bidayah wa al-Nihayah [1]
  4. ^ Al Bidayah wa al-Nihayah Volume 8 page 222 [2]
  5. ^ Al Bidayah wa al-Nihayah [3]
  6. ^ Al Bidayah wa al-Nihayah Volume 8 page 204 [4]
  7. ^ Al Bidayah wa al-Nihayah [5]
  8. ^ The Complete History (book) Volume 3 page 450 [6]
  9. ^ "Siyar A'lam Al-Nubala" Volume 4 pages 37-38 [7]
  10. ^ Al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah [8]
  11. ^ Sirush Shahadhathayn [9]
  12. ^ Taufa Ithna Ashari [10]
  13. ^ Minhaj as-Sunnah an-Nabawiyyah [11]
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k [12]
  15. ^ The Concise History of Humanity or Chronicles (book) [13]
  16. ^ Tafsir al-Mazhari [14]
  17. ^ Tafsir al-Mazhari Volume 5 page 21, under the commentary of Surah Ibrahim verse 28 [15]
  18. ^ Badh Shariat [16]
  19. ^ au khanar al masalik [17]
  20. ^ Ruh al-Ma'ani [18]
  21. ^ Ruh al-Ma'ani page 72 commentary of Surah Muhammad[19]
  22. ^ Haseeya Nabraas page 551 [20]

[edit] External links

  • this Shi'a site contains several references to Sunni scholars view of Yazid.
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