Islam Rediscovered
21. Islam in History
~ 358 ~
Yazid ibn Muawaiya, in the name of reform in
politics. It resulted in the loss of precious Muslim
lives and resources. At that time, Abdullah ibn
Umar, son of the second Caliph and companion of
the Prophet, was in Makkah, yet he did not take
part in the fighting. Some companions of Abdullah
ibn Zubayr met him and asked him to join in the
battle. The conversation that took place on this
occasion has been recorded in
Sahih al-Bukhari
under three references.
One account has been thus recorded: Nafe narrates
that during the (
fitna
) revolt by Ibn Zubayr, two
persons came and said to Ibn Umar that people
were being killed, while he, the son of Umar (the
second caliph) as well as a senior companion of the
Prophet, refused to take part in the campaign. They
asked him what prevented him from doing so. He
replied: “I refrain from joining in this battle because
of God’s express command never to shed the blood
of one’s brother: it is unlawful.” Both replied: “Has
not God enjoined us to fight till persecution (
fitna
)
ceases?” Abdullah ibn Umar then retorted: “We
fought till
fitna
ceased. Religion became only for
God, and now you want to fight so that
fitna
may
