Accursed Enemy – Marwan ibne Hakam

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) saw Hakam bin Al-Aas the father of Marwan caricaturing him. Hakam was the uncle of the third caliph. Hakam was externed from Medina at the behest of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.).  Hakam bin Al-Aas was the father of Marwan.

Ibn Abdil Birr has stated the reason for his externment from Medina . The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) used to have his confidential meetings with his close companions. Hakam somehow managed to learn the essence of the secret discussions and made it public. Besides, he also used to mimic the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.). Once he was also caught by the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) in the act.(Al-Istiaab by IbnAbdil Birr)

When Hakam was externed from Medina , Marwan was hardly 7 or 8 years old. He left for Taef along with his father. Even during the reign of Abu Bakr and Umar, he was not allowed to enter Medina. But defying the norms of both his predecessors, Usman recalled him. Moreover, he appointed Hakam’s son Marwan as his advisor.  

The renowned scholar of the Indian subcontinent, AbulAlaMaududi has written that ” …It was highly difficult for the people to accept that the son of this chastised man deserved to be an advisor of the caliph and was preferred over venerable com­panions of the time. Especially when Marwan’s father was alive and was capable of influencing the government affairs.”  (KhilafatwaMulukiyat, p. 110-111)

According to another narrative, Ayesha told Marwan, “God cursed your father while you were still in his loins, hence you too are included among the accursed

men”. (Tafseere-Qurtubbi, p. 390, Tafseere-Kabir, vol.2, p. 238)

Some of his accursed acts

Qazi Zainul Abedin Sajjad Meeruthi wrote on p. 117-118 in the third section of his book Tarikhe-Millat, “Usman appointed Marwan as his scribe and secretary and his royal seal was in the latter’s custody. It was he who had signed the death ordinance (on behalf of Usman) for the Egyptians who had come to complain to Usman. Marwan placed Usman’s seal on the letter and the consequent development led to Usman’s assas­sination”.

Maulana Anwar Shah Kashmiri writes about the letter which Marwan wrote about Muhammad bin Abi Bakr’s appointment to the governorship of Egypt that “Usman
appointed Muhammad bin Abi Bakr as Egypt’s governor and instructed his scribe Marwan, to write that when ‘Muhammad bin Abu Bakr comes to you accept him’. Marwan (out of mischief) wrote “kill him”. This caused a major flare-up”.

(KhilafatwaMulukiyatwaUlama-e-Ahle-Sunnat p. 82-83)

Maulana Abdul Shakoor Lucknowi, who is known as Imam among Sunnis, writes about the incident of the Muhammad bin AbiBakr that “When the writing (of the letter) was identified, it was found to be written by Marwan…. But Usman refused to conduct any inquiry or take any punitive action against Marwan despite the demand of the Companions. For, Marwan was his close relative and moreover his own ‘lenient’ nature did not allow Usman to use his authority and hurt Marwan’. (Khulafae-Rashedeen pg. 198).  

Marwan and Karbala

The first person to implement the nefarious designs of Yazid, was Marwan. It was he who suggested to kill Imam Husain (a.s.). Following are the historic incidents
which led to the catastrophe of Karbala.  

After the death of Muawiya in 60A.H., the first move of Yazid was to write a letter to the governor of Medina, Walid bin Utbah, asking him to extract allegiance from Imam Husain (a.s.), Abdur Rahman bin AbiBakr, Abdullah bin Umar and Abdullah bin Zubair on his behalf. And if they refuse to comply, they should be beheaded and their heads dispatched to Yazid. Walid, on receipt of the letter, sent for Marwan who counseled that everyone of them will pay allegiance except Imam Husain (a.s.) with whom Walid should deal very strictly. At this Walid sent for IbnZubair and Imam Husain (a.s.), both of whom were in the Masjid. Imam Husain (a.s.) said that he had a dream last night in which he saw that Muawiya had died and Yazid wants to extract allegiance from him. Before Imam Husain (a.s.) could leave the Masjid, another messenger came saying that Walid was waiting for you. Imam Husain (a.s.) replied that he will meet Walid in a while. Then he went to his house and garnered thirty brave fighters of BaniHashim and went to visit Walid. The Hashmite youth as per the instruction of Imam (a.s.) waited outside the palace. Walid received Imam (a.s.) with due honor, informed him about Muawiya’s death and mentioned about Yazid’s allegiance. Imam (a.s.) replied that it is a serious business and he will express his viewpoint in front of a gathering. Walid asked him to visit him the next day. Even as Imam Husain (a.s.) was answer­ing Walid’s proposition, Marwan butted in saying that if Imam Husain (a.s.) is left off today, then Walid will never be able to get him and a massive blood-shed will occur. Marwan reiterated, “Coerce him to pay allegiance now and if he refuses, then behead him instantly.” This infuriated Imam Husain (a.s.) and he roared, “How dare you talk of killing me. You are a pathological liar and a sinner.” Saying this, he walked out of the court.   Some of the historians have recorded the dialogue between Walid and Imam Husain (a.s.) more elabo­rately. Kamil in his history, IbnShahre-Ashob in his Manaqib and Tabari have related the dialogues with minor differences. Some of them have written that when Marwan tried to pressurize Imam Husain (a.s.) into paying allegiance, Imam Husain (a.s.) said. “We have come from God and unto Him shall we return. If the likes of Yazid can become caliph, then one should bid adieu to Islam. I have heard my grandfather (the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) as saying that caliphate is forbidden for the progeny of Abu Sufyan”. The atmosphere got vitiated and the exchanges became more and more vitriolic. The youth of BaniHashim who all had become restive by now, barged into the courtroom and a bloody skirmish became imminent. It was only by the intervention of Imam Husain (a.s.) that the youths were pacified. Then they all left the courtroom and returned home. 

(NafasulMahmoom, p. 30-31).

After the killing of Usman, he along with Talha, Zubair, and Ayesha went to Basra. He supported Muawiya in the battle of Siffin. In 42 A.H., Muawiya appointed him the governor of Medina. When Abdullah bin Zubair externed him from Medina, he went to Syria and remained instrumental in many a mischievous turmoil in Medina and Syria. He was still in Tadmir when Yazid’s son Muawiya attained the throne of caliph­ate. Marwan who by now had become too old went to a place called Habiah near Houren and staked his claim for caliphate. In 64 A.H., the people of Jordan did pay allegiance to him. Then he went to Syria and from there he went to Egypt again. He appointed his son Abdul Malik as the governor of Egypt and left for Damascus. .

Since Marwan was unusually tall and had an uneven body, he was nicknamed Khabte-Batil (the thread of evil). About Marwan’s death it is said that while he was sleeping, his wife smothered his face with a pillow and held onto it until he breathed his last.

(Lughatnama of Dehkuda pg. 228, 220/431)

(This article is an extract from an Article on Marwan ibne Hakam printed in Al Muntazar, Moharrum issue of 1996)