ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Mukhtar a Biograghy Chapter 12 - Ubaydallah Ziyad Flees Basra There is a crisis of succession to the office after Yazeed's death, especially when his elder son Muawiyah denounces the office, and who is soon murdered for his defiance. So, who now takes over the office? The government of Damascus considers three candidates: 1- 1. Umar Bashir Ansaree - he is one of the most prominent in the government circles in Damascus 2- 2.

Khalid Yazeed - a twelve year old son of Yazeed; this would keep the dynasty going 3- 3. Abdulla Zobayr in Mecca - as he has already got Mecca and Medina under his control. Marwan Hakam writes a letter to Ubaydallah Ziyad informing him of Yazeed's death, and telling him to come to Damascus to discuss the question of succession to the office; Marwan Hakam sends the letter to Kufa.

When the letter gets to Kufa, Ubaydallah Ziyad is at that time in Basra for the six month administration cycle between Kufa and Basra; his son Omar is left in charge of Kufa; with a homing pigeon, Omar passes Marwan Hakam's letter to Basra together with the news of the unrest going on in Kufa as the news of Yazeed's death was now public knowledge in Kufa.

Ubaydallah Ziyad gathers the Basrites at a public meeting; he tells them of Yazeed's death (other reports say he does not); and says: I am leaving Basra to go to Damascus immediately of the unrest there; there should be no unrest here while I am away, and my deputy will be in charge; anyone who opposes my deputy will be executed together with his family. Ubaydallah Ziyad then asks if there are any persons who will ensure his speedy and safe journey to Damascus for a very large fee.

Umar Jaru (another source says Umar Haris) was an experienced and a professional desert guide and it was his job to escort merchants and people from area to area; he had five sons (another source says twenty one sons), each experienced in the ways of desert travelling and guide, and each son had about thirty assistants.

Umar Jaru and his group escort Ubaydallah Ziyad to Damascus; Ubaydallah Ziyad packs up all the monies, jewels and valuables from his palace and these are sent by a different route (from the one he will be taking) to Damascus to avoid an ambushed robbery on the way.