Draft:Ibrahim al-Nakha'i
| Ibrahim al-Nakha'i | |
|---|---|
 | |
| name | Ibrahim ibn Malik al-Ashtar |
| Personal details | |
| religion | Islam |
Ibrahim ibn Malik al-Ashtar al-Nakha'i, the son of Malik al-Ashtar, was a close companion and devoted Companion of Amir al-Mu'minin Ali (peace be upon him). Ibrahim was the chieftain and preeminent figure of the Nakha' tribe, a noble and dignified commander renowned for his bravery and strategic acumen. Many historians have praised his courage, recounting with awe his heroic feats on the battlefield, where he charged relentlessly like an unyielding thunderbolt into the hearts of the enemy, piling up corpses on his right and left. Among the instances cited by historians to illustrate his valor is his participation in the Battle of Siffin. Despite being a young adolescent at the time, he fought alongside Amir al-Mu'minin (peace be upon him) and his father, Malik al-Ashtar, displaying remarkable bravery. Both Shia and Sunni hadith sources mention Ibrahim ibn Malik al-Ashtar as one of the narrators of prophetic traditions. He is counted among those who transmitted reports from his father, Malik ibn al-Ashtar, including the narration concerning the death of Abu Dharr al-Ghifari in Rabdha.
Birth and Lineage
The exact year of Ibrahim ibn Malik's birth is not known; however, given that he was an adolescent during the Battle of Siffin, it is inferred that he was born between the years 15 and 21 AH. He belonged to the Nakha' tribe, a branch of the larger Madhij tribe. The Madhij tribe was one of the largest and most renowned tribes of Yemen, known for fighting more fiercely against enemies than any other tribe. After the martyrdom of Imam Ali (peace be upon him), they settled in Kufa[1].
Characteristics of Ibrahim
Ibrahim was the chieftain and foremost figure of the Nakha' tribe[2]. He was a noble and dignified commander famous for his bravery and strategic insight[3]. Many historians have extolled his courage[4], recounting with astonishment his heroic deeds and bravery on the battlefield, where he charged like an unrelenting thunderbolt into the enemy's heart, leaving piles of the slain on both his right and left.
Among the examples historians cite regarding his bravery is his presence at the Battle of Siffin. Although he was merely a young adolescent, he participated in this battle and displayed extraordinary valor alongside Amir al-Mu'minin (peace be upon him) and his father, Malik al-Ashtar[5].
Ibrahim excelled not only in bravery and courage but also in generosity, chivalry, faith, morality, and love for the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), making him the foremost among the people of Iraq in these virtues[6].
The eminent scholar Sayyid Muhsin al-Amin also praises him in his book A'yan al-Shi'a: "Ibrahim was a brave, warrior-like, courageous, rank-breaking leader. He possessed a noble character, high aspirations, and was a defender of truth. He had a poetic nature, eloquent speech, and was a supporter and lover of the family of Infallibility and Purity, just as his father, Malik al-Ashtar, possessed such lofty qualities and distinctions. Indeed, it is only fitting that such a son be the living embodiment of such a father[7]."
Ibrahim ibn al-Ashtar and His Alliance with Mukhtar
Ibrahim's actions facilitated Mukhtar's further advancement and brought about numerous successes for the Revolt of Mukhtar. The Battle of Khazir River was the most prominent arena demonstrating the command capabilities of this brave commander. In this battle, the Iraqi army, though significantly outnumbered by the Syrian forces under the command of Ubayd Allah ibn Ziyad, prevailed over the army of Syria, and Ibn Ziyad himself was killed in a duel with Ibrahim[8].
After concluding the war, Ibrahim settled in Mosul as its governor[9]. He administered the region with full authority by Mukhtar's order. During Mukhtar's war with Mus'ab, Ibrahim remained engaged in his duties at his assigned post. There is no reliable evidence suggesting that Mukhtar requested his assistance or that Ibrahim showed negligence in fulfilling his duty or aiding Mukhtar.
Mukhtar entrusted the command of the war against Mus'ab to Ahmar ibn Shumayt[10], a brave man and a devotee of the Ahl al-Bayt, and did not ask Ibrahim to assume command of this battle. This may have been due to the sensitivity and importance of the Mosul region. Alternatively, it might have been Mukhtar's mistake not to assign Ibrahim the command of this crucial battle[11]. Perhaps other reasons existed of which we are unaware. Neither party broke any pledge, as no formal agreement had been made, and both are remembered with great honor in history.
Although avenging the killers of Imam Husayn (peace be upon him) played a role in Ibrahim's allegiance to Mukhtar, Ibrahim also requested governorship from him. This demand may have contributed to his later pledge of allegiance to Mus'ab—the killer of Mukhtar—after Mukhtar's death.
Ibn Athir writes regarding this matter: When Mukhtar prepared for revolt and war, some of his companions said, "The nobles and elites of Kufa have unanimously agreed to fight against us and follow Ibn Muti'. If Ibrahim ibn al-Ashtar accepts our invitation, we hope our strength and capability to confront the enemy will increase, since he is chivalrous, a leader, the son of a noble man, and belongs to a tribe numerous in number and distinguished in character."
Mukhtar told them, "Invite him." Accordingly, they went together with al-Sha'bi to Ibrahim, informed him of their decision, requested his support and cooperation, and reminded him of his father's friendship toward Imam Ali (peace be upon him), noting that his father (Malik al-Ashtar) had been a supporter and lover of Ali (peace be upon him) and his household. Ibrahim accepted Mukhtar's invitation on the condition that he be appointed commander. They replied, "Although you are worthy of this position, it is not feasible, because Mukhtar has come on behalf of Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyya, and we have been ordered to obey and follow him." Ibrahim remained silent and gave them no answer.
News of this conversation reached Mukhtar. Three days later, accompanied by a group including al-Sha'bi and his father, Mukhtar visited Ibrahim, who received them hospitably. Mukhtar then read the letter from Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyya, which requested Ibrahim to support Mukhtar, mentioned Mukhtar's appointment as his vizier, and confirmed Ibrahim's entitlement to the positions of governance and military command.
After finishing reading the letter, Ibrahim said, "Ibn al-Hanafiyya previously wrote to me, mentioning only his own name and his father's name alongside mine and my father's name." Mukhtar responded, "That time has passed; this is a different era." Ibrahim then asked, "Who can confirm that this letter is truly from him?" Those present testified that the letter was indeed from Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyya himself[12].
Ibn Athir continues by detailing the events of Mukhtar's revolt and Ibrahim's role in his victories until the death of Ibn Ziyad[13].
The Most Prominent Arena of Ibrahim's Appearance
The Battle of Khazir River was the most prominent arena demonstrating the command capabilities of this brave commander. In this battle, the twenty-thousand-strong Iraqi army triumphed over the eighty-three-thousand-strong Syrian army commanded by Ubayd Allah ibn Ziyad, and Ibn Ziyad himself was killed in a duel with Ibrahim[14].
After concluding his tasks, Ibrahim moved from Mosul to Nusaybin, dispatched his agents to various regions of al-Jazira, and conquered the area[15].
The Fate of Ibrahim al-Ashtar al-Nakha'i
In the final stages of Mukhtar's uprising, the enemy sowed discord between Mukhtar and Ibrahim. This deceit caused a rift and separation between Ibrahim and Mukhtar; it appears that Ibrahim subsequently withdrew from Mukhtar's movement. Consequently, following the attack by Mus'ab ibn al-Zubayr, he hesitated and displayed negligence in joining Mukhtar. It is even reported that after Mukhtar's initial defeat by Mus'ab's forces, Ibrahim ignored Mukhtar's repeated and consecutive letters and did not return to him. This withdrawal from Mukhtar led both Mus'ab ibn al-Zubayr and Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan to covet Ibrahim after Mukhtar's martyrdom, seeking to enlist him, a man of great influence and administrative capability, to their respective sides.
Accordingly, Mus'ab wrote a letter to Ibrahim, promising him the governorship of northern Iraq if he accepted the authority of Ibn al-Zubayr. A similar letter also reached Ibrahim from Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, the Umayyad Caliph of Syria. Ibrahim consulted with his companions and advisors on this matter and ultimately decided to ally with Mus'ab ibn al-Zubayr. He therefore wrote to Mus'ab and, accompanied by a group of his followers, departed from Mosul or Nusaybin—the seat of his own government—and traveled to Kufa, where he met with Mus'ab. Eventually, in the year 72 AH, following the defeat of the Iraqi army by the forces of Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, who had been dispatched to seize Iraq and fight Mus'ab ibn al-Zubayr, Ibrahim was killed on the 13th of Jumada al-Awwal at the age of forty.[16][17] He was buried near Samarra.[18]
Footnotes
- ↑ A'yan al-Shi'a, Vol. 9, p. 41 and Vol. 2, p. 249
- ↑ Amin, Muhsin; A'yan al-Shi'a, 1st ed., 1983, Vol. 2, p. 200
- ↑ Al-Dhahabi; Tarikh al-Islam wa Wafayat al-Mashahir wa al-A'lam, edited by Umar Abd al-Salam Tadmuri, 2nd ed., 1993, Vol. 5, p. 344
- ↑ Al-Baladhuri; Ansab al-Ashraf, edited by Suhayl Zakkar and Riyad Zarkali, Vol. 6, p. 389; Tarikh al-Tabari, op. cit., Vol. 6, p. 19; Miskawayh, Abu Ali; Tajarib al-Umam, edited by Abu al-Qasim Imami, Vol. 2, p. 148
- ↑ Al-Minqari, Nasr ibn Muzahim; Waq'at Siffin, edited by Abd al-Salam Muhammad Harun, p. 441; Ibn Abi al-Hadid; Sharh Nahj al-Balagha, Vol. 8, p. 81
- ↑ A'yan al-Shi'a, op. cit., p. 200
- ↑ A'yan al-Shi'a, op. cit., Vol. 2, p. 200
- ↑ Ibn Athir al-Jazari, Ali ibn Muhammad, al-Kamil, vol. 4, pp. 261–264, Dar Sader, Beirut, 1385 AH
- ↑ al-Kamil, vol. 4, p. 265
- ↑ al-Kamil, vol. 4, p. 268; Ibn Sa'd al-Katib al-Waqidi, Muhammad ibn Sa'd, al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, edited by Salimi, Muhammad ibn Samil, Part 5, Vol. 2, p. 83, Maktabat al-Siddiq, Ta'if, First Edition, 1414 AH
- ↑ The Nature of Mukhtar's Revolt, pp. 604–605
- ↑ al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh, vol. 4, pp. 215–216
- ↑ al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh, vol. 4, pp. 216–259
- ↑ al-Kamil, op. cit., p. 261; and Tarikh al-Tabari, op. cit., p. 86
- ↑ Ansab al-Ashraf, op. cit., p. 447; Tarikh al-Tabari, op. cit., p. 92; Akhbar al-Tiwal, op. cit., p. 296; and Tajarib al-Umam, op. cit., p. 236
- ↑ However, this age seems unlikely given the accounts of al-Minqari and Ibn Abi al-Hadid, who consider him, despite his young age, to have been present at the Battle of Siffin. Waqa'at Siffin, op. cit., p. 441; and Sharh Nahj al-Balagha, op. cit., p. 81.
- ↑ Ansab al-Ashraf, op. cit., vol. 7, p. 91; Al-Kamil, op. cit., vol. 4, p. 326; and Tajarib al-Umam, op. cit., p. 236.
- ↑ Al-Zirikli, Khayr al-Din; 1986, vol. 1, p. 58.