222 of his book Al-A’laq al-Nafisah...

222 of his book Al-A’laq al-Nafisah, Ibn Rastah says, “Al-Shimr Thul-Jawshan, who killed al-Husayn (‘a), was leprous.” On p. 449, Vol. 1, of his book Al-I’tidal, al-Thahabi says, “Shimr son of Thul-Jawshan was one of those who killed al-Husayn, peace be upon him.” This narrative, therefore, is not an original. When he was asked, “Why did you side with the enemies of the son of Fatima (‘a)?,” he said, “Our men of authority ordered us.

Had we disobeyed them, we would have been more wretched than red camels.” Al-Thahabi says, “This is only an ugly excuse; obedience is due to what is right.” On p. 303 and on the following pages of his book titled Siffin (Egyptian edition), Naar Ibn Muzahim says, “Shimr Ibn Thul-Jawshan was with the Commander of the Faithful (‘a) at Siffin. From the company of Mu’awiyah came out Adham Ibn Muhriz challenging anyone from ‘Ali 's army for a duel.

Shimr Ibn Thul-Jawshan went out, and they exchanged two blows. Adham struck Shimr on his forehead, causing his sword to reach the man's bones. When Shimr responded with a blow of his own, he could not harm Adham in the least; therefore, he went back to his camp to drink some water. He took a spear and composed these lines of poetry: I have reserved for the brother of Bahilah A swift blow, only should I live A final blow shall I strike him with, A blow like death, or death itself.

He charged at Adham, pierced him with his sword, causing him to fall from his horse. Adham's fellows carried him away, so Shimr left. On p. 143, Vol. 2, of his book Nafh al-Tib (‘Eisa al-Babi Press), al-Maqrizi says, “Al-Samil Ibn Hatim Ibn al-Shimr Ibn Thul-Jawshan was a chief of Mudar who bore a great deal of grudge against the Yemenites.” This is stated on p.

222 of the Beiruti edition edited by Muhammad Muhyi ad-Din.” In a footnote in the same book, Hatim, son of al-Shimr, was with his father at Kufa. When al-Mukhtar killed Shimr Ibn Thul-Jawshan, it is stated that Hatim fled to Qinnasrin. On p. 145, he says that al-Samil was governor of Serqasta. He left it to be the governor of Tulaytala. On p. 67, Vol.

1, of his book Al-Hulla al-Sayra, Ibn al-Abar says, “When al-Mukhtar appeared in Kufa, al-Shimr Ibn Thul-Jawshan, who killed al-Husayn Ibn ‘Ali (‘a), fled to Syria accompanied by his wife and sons. He stayed there in dignity and security. It is said that al-Mukhtar killed him, whereas he fled till Kulthum Ibn ‘Iyad al-Qushayri went out to invade al-Maghreb.