In essence...

In essence, the Tawwabin Uprising is the first of the Shi’a uprisings that took place after the Battle of Ashura in response to the demand for vengeance for the sacred blood of Imam Husain and his companions [3] .

Formation and Ambition The uprising started around some of the noblemen of Shias in Kufa such as Sulaiman ibn Surad al-Khuza’ī, the companions of the Prophet, Musayyab ibn Najabah al-Fazari, the companion of Imam Ali, and Rufa’ah ibn Shaddad al-Bajali, who was from among the best companions of Imam Ali. Initially, the group comprised one hundred Kufans, all aged sixty years or more.

They held their first meeting in the house of Sulaiman ibn Surad Khuza’ī, a companion of , in 61 AH (680/81 CE), in which Sulaiman was elected as the leader of the uprising [4] . Then Sulaiman arose and after praising Allah, said, “ Now then! I fear that we shall not reach a better day than this age of short livelihood and the great sin that has enveloped the distinguished chiefs of Shi’a. All of us desired that the Progeny of the Prophet (PBUHH) should come to us and we promised to assist him.

Then when they came to us, we displayed lethargy and indigence and became negligent. We waited for one another until the son of our Prophet (PBUHH), his progeny, his offspring, and the pieces of his body were martyred. He desired justice but was denied, the lewd men made him the target of arrows and focus of spears, and they galloped towards him and put aside justice. Beware!

Now arise, for your Lord is furious with you, and shut your eyes from your wives and children so that Allah may be pleased with you. By Allah! I do not presume that He will ever be pleased with you until you fight those who killed him. Do not fear death, for everyone who fears death is humiliated. Then be like the followers of Bani Israel when their Prophets told them: You oppressed your own self when you worshipped the calf, then return back to your Creator and kill your own ego.

They refused and knelt down, then rebelled. But then they realized that there was no other way for deliverance from this great sin, except being killed. Then if you are invited towards that which they were invited, then what shall you do? Then sharpen your swords and fix points upon your spears. ‘And prepare ye against them whatever (force) you can, and steeds of war at the garrison.’ [Qur’an 8:60]. [5] ” The movement remained secret until 64 AH (683/84 CE) [6] .