Lessons in Tyranny and Devotion || The Fates of Hajjaj ibn Yusuf and Sultan Nur ad-Din Zangi

Explore "Lessons in Tyranny and Devotion: The Fates of Hajjaj ibn Yusuf and Sultan Nur ad-Din Zangi." Discover how divine justice shaped their legacies, highlighting the consequences of tyranny and the rewards of devotion in Islamic history.

Hajjaj ibn Yusuf was a Hafiz of the Quran. He would recite 10 Juz in one Rak'ah of Tahajjud, lead congregational prayers, and stay away from alcohol and adultery, but he was extremely tyrannical. When he died, his death was a lesson for all.

One day, Hazrat Sa'id ibn Jubair (RA), a great Tabi'i, was sitting on the pulpit and said, "Hajjaj is a tyrant." When Hajjaj found out that this was being said about him, he summoned Hazrat Sa'id to his court and asked, "Did you say these words about me?" Hazrat Sa'id replied, "Yes, you are a tyrant." Hearing this, Hajjaj became furious and ordered his execution. As they were taking Hazrat Sa'id outside for execution, he smiled.

Hajjaj, disturbed by this, asked, "Why are you smiling?" Hazrat Sa'id responded, "I smile at your foolishness and at the respite Allah has given you."

Hajjaj then ordered that Hazrat Sa'id be killed in front of him. When the knife was placed at Hazrat Sa'id’s throat, he turned his face towards the Qibla and said, "O Allah, my face is towards You and I am content with Your will. Hajjaj has no power over life or death."

Hajjaj, upon hearing this, ordered that Hazrat Sa'id’s face be turned away from the Qibla. Hazrat Sa'id then said, "O Allah, wherever my face may be, You are present everywhere. The East and the West are under Your dominion. My prayer is that this tyrant's cruelty be the last and that after me, he is not made a ruler over anyone."

As soon as Hazrat Sa'id said these words, he was killed, and so much blood poured out that it drenched the entire court. A wise person commented, "Such blood only flows when someone happily accepts Allah’s will."

Whenever Hajjaj would sleep, Hazrat Sa'id would appear in his dreams, holding his garment and saying, "O enemy of Allah, why did you kill me? What wrong had I done to you?" Hajjaj would respond, "What has happened to me and Sa'id?"

Soon, Hajjaj contracted a disease known as Zamhariyah, which caused severe cold, spreading from his chest throughout his body. He would shiver, and burning embers were brought to him, placed so close that his skin would burn, but he felt no pain. After consulting many doctors, it was discovered that he had cancer. One doctor tied a piece of meat with a thread and inserted it into Hajjaj’s throat. After a while, when the thread was pulled, strange worms clung to the meat, emitting such a foul odor that it spread for miles. The courtiers fled, and the doctor ran away as well. Hajjaj called out, "Where are you going? Treat me!" The doctor replied, "Your illness is not of this world, Hajjaj, but from the heavens. Seek refuge in Allah."

After all earthly remedies failed, Hajjaj called for Hazrat Hasan al-Basri (RA) and asked him to pray for him. Upon seeing Hajjaj’s condition, Hazrat Hasan wept and said, "I warned you not to harass the righteous, not to oppress them, but you did not listen." Hajjaj had become a cause of sorrow for all. His body was burning from the inside, and he was broken.

Forty days after Hazrat Sa'id ibn Jubair’s death, Hajjaj also passed away. When he realized there was no chance of recovery, he called for his relatives, who came to him reluctantly. He said, "When I die, bury me at night, and in the morning, erase the sign of my grave because people will not leave me even after death." The next day, Hajjaj’s abdomen burst, and he died.

Allah certainly extends the rope for the tyrants, but when He holds them accountable, even the angels tremble in awe of Allah, and the Throne shakes.

May Allah protect us all from the tyranny of oppressors. Ameen.

The Noble Legacy of Sultan Nur ad-Din Zangi

Sultan Nur ad-Din Zangi (may Allah have mercy on him) prayed Isha, then lay down to sleep, but suddenly sat up, tears in his eyes, and said, "Who is troubling my Master, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), while I am here?" He was thinking about the recurring dream he had been having for the past three days, and just moments earlier, it had come to him again. In this dream, the Prophet (peace be upon him) had pointed to two individuals and said, "These are the ones who are troubling me."

The Sultan could not find peace. He decided to take a few companions and soldiers and embark on a journey from Damascus to Medina. At that time, the journey from Damascus to Medina took 20-25 days, but he completed the journey in just 16 days, without resting. Upon reaching Medina, he ordered that all routes to and from the city be closed and invited everyone, both important and common, to dine with him.

People came and went, but the Sultan could not see the faces he was looking for. Concerned, he asked the governor of Medina, "Is there anyone who is not attending this gathering?" The reply was, "There is no one from the residents of Medina, but there are two foreign pilgrims who live near the Prophet's tomb. They spend all day in worship and, in the evenings, serve water to people in Jannat al-Baqi. They have been in Medina for a long time."

The Sultan expressed his desire to meet them. The two pilgrims appeared to be very pious. Their home consisted only of a mat and a few basic belongings. Suddenly, the Sultan felt the floor beneath the mat tremble. He lifted the mat and discovered a tunnel.

He ordered his soldiers to enter the tunnel, and when they returned, they reported that the tunnel led directly to the blessed grave of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Upon hearing this, the Sultan’s face filled with rage. He asked the two pilgrims, "Tell me the truth, who are you?"

After some hesitation, they confessed that they were Jews and had been sent by their people to steal the Prophet’s sacred body. Upon hearing this, Sultan Nur ad-Din Zangi began to cry. At that moment, their necks were swiftly severed.

While crying, the Sultan said, "How fortunate am I that, out of the entire world, I was chosen for this noble task."

After this despicable plot had been thwarted, it became necessary to ensure that no such schemes could ever succeed again. The Sultan ordered architects to dig a trench around the Prophet’s sacred grave, deep enough for water to flow. At his command, molten lead was poured into the trench.

Some say that Sultan Nur ad-Din Zangi was also blessed with the honor of entering the tunnel, visiting the grave, and kissing the blessed feet of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Conclusion

The stories of Hajjaj ibn Yusuf and Sultan Nur ad-Din Zangi serve as timeless reminders of the ultimate justice of Allah. While tyranny and oppression may prevail temporarily, their end is always bitter and filled with regret. Conversely, sincere devotion and a commitment to safeguarding what is sacred lead to honor and blessings. These accounts highlight the importance of fearing Allah, standing against oppression, and trusting in divine justice. May we learn from these lessons and strive to live lives of righteousness and humility. Ameen.