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Chapter X: Living and Character of the Prophet

(7) The tyrant governor Hajjaj once called the learned men of Basra and Kufa including the sage Hasan Basari. Hajjaj began to condemn Hazrat Ali : Ibn Ayesha said : We began to support him. Hazrat Hasan Basari began to cut his thumb and remained silent. Hajjaj said to him : Why do I see you silent ? What is your opinion regarding Ali ? Hasan Basari said : God said regarding Hazrat Ali : I have fixed the Qibla to what you are accustomed only to examine those who follow the Apostle from amongs :
those who turn on their heels — 2:143 . Hazrat Ali was one of those believers whom God gave guidance. My opinion about him is that he was cousin and son in law of the Prophet and he was dearest to him. God adorned him with many virtues. You or anybody else will not be able to enter into his attributes. My opinion is that God is sufficient for any fault that he might have got. At this the face of Hajjaj became reddish and he stood up in rage. Then he entered his house and we went away.

One day, Hajjaj summoned the sage Hasan Basari and said : ' Do you say that God will destroy those who kill the servants of - God for money ? He replied : Yes . Hajjaj asked : Why do you say this ? He said : The cause is that God took promise from the learned that they would make the people understand the words of religion and not conceal them. Hajjaj said : O Hasan, hold your tongue, I warn you that you should not make me listen to what I don't like. There is a great deal of difference between your body

and mind.

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(9) The sage Hatil Jayyat once came to Hajjaj who asked him :
Are you Hatil ? He said : Yes, ask me what you wish. I have taken promise for three matters to God near Maqame Ibrahim (1) I will speak truth whoever asks me anything , (2) I will have patience If anybody throws me into danger and (3) I will express gratefulness if anybody pardons me . Then Hajjaj said : What do you say about me ? He said : You are the enemy of God. in the earth, you destroy the honour of the people and kill them at your whim. Hajjaj said : What do you say about Caliph Abu Malek-b- Merwan ? He said : He is a greater sinner than you. Among his sins. You are one . On hearing this, Hajjaj ordered : Punish this man. Then inflicting whipping on him, the whip of the executioner broke. Then the executioner tied him with a ropes

Vol-II The Book of Wordly Usages 199

and began to cut his flesh with a knife, but he did not utter even 'uP Hajjaj was informed that the man's end was nearing to which he said : If he expires, throw his body into the market. Jaf ar said : I and one of his friends came to him and said to him : O Ha til, have you got any necessity ? He said : One handful water. When they brought water to him, he drank it and soon expired. His age was then only 18 years.

Source: Imam Al-Ghazali, Ihya Ulum al-Din (Revival of the Islamic Sciences)
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