The Mecca fitna and deposition of Mukaththir (571 AH)

Ibn al-Athir relates that in Dhu al-Hijja 571 AH a fierce war broke out in Mecca between the amir of the pilgrims, Tashtakin, and the amir of Mecca, Mukaththir ibn Isa. ²

The caliph had ordered the amir of the pilgrims to remove Mukaththir and appoint his brother Dawud in his place, because Mukaththir had built a fortress on the mountain of Abu Qubays. ²

The pilgrims did not spend the night at Muzdalifa but passed through it, then camped at al-Abtah. Some people of Mecca came out and fought them, and a group on both sides were killed; then the raiders attacked Mecca. Mukaththir fled to his fortress and was besieged there, then he left it and departed from Mecca, and Dawud took command. ²

Many of the pilgrims were plundered, a great deal was taken from the property of resident merchants, and many houses were burned. Ibn al-Athir relates the story of a man who burned the house of orphans with a flask of naphtha; he was burned by his own naphtha and died three days later. ²