Qutayba's Estrangement from Sulayman

استيحاش قتيبة من سليمان بن عبد الملك

Qutayba dreaded Sulayman, having backed Abd al-Aziz ibn al-Walid for the succession. When al-Walid died Sulayman took the pulpit and railed at Habanqa al-'A'ishi — Yazid ibn Tazwan, who prized fat camels saying 'I do not mend what God has corrupted' — then at Tamim ('not Banu Tamim but Banu Dhamim'), Bakr ibn Wa'il, and the Azd, 'ya ahl al-safila — I will not say ahl al-'aliya — may He set you where He set you'. His letter granting Qutayba the governorship came with orders to free prisoners, pay stipends and permit departures — broadcast by the messenger — and Qutayba called it his design, telling the people 'Sulayman has made you great as mosquitoes' marrow, and you will yet be asked bay'a to Anwar, a boy whose slaughter is unlawful'. Stung by his curses they heard his apology — 'I was angry, knew not what I said' — and answered: if he lets us go home, good; if not, he blames only himself.

Overview

Al-Baladhuri relates that Qutayba was estranged from Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik, because he had worked for the allegiance to Abd al-Aziz ibn al-Walid, to keep it away from Sulayman. When Sulayman succeeded al-Walid, Qutayba called the people to depose him, and none answered him. ¹

The sermon

The source says that Qutayba addressed the people and cited Hubnaqa al-Aishi as an example, and called on them to depose Sulayman, but no one answered him. He then spoke harshly about the Banu Tamim, the Banu Bakr ibn Wa'il and the Azd, in words al-Baladhuri records. ¹

Sulayman's letter

Sulayman wrote to Qutayba confirming his governorship, ordering him to release those held in prison, to pay people their stipends, and to allow anyone who wished to return. He ordered his messenger to inform the people of what he had written. Qutayba said this was the work of Ali; he addressed the people, who were angry with him for the insults he had hurled at them. ¹

Note

This report comes from a single source and needs an additional source.

The Abu Tutayna Affair

Abdallah ibn al-Ahtham, Abu Haqan, Qutayba's Marw deputy during campaigns, wrote al-Hajjaj denouncing him. Bashir of the Ahtham warned Qutayba — 'you've opened to a treacherous envious man' — dismissed as cousin-envy, though Bashir begged it stand as his excuse. When al-Hajjaj forwarded the letter and the courier rode past the Sakka without stopping, Ibn al-Ahtham sensed the trap and fled to Syria: years peddling wine and flax round his neck, then rag and cotton over one eye, styled Abu Tutayna the oilman — until al-Walid died and Sulayman rose, when he cast off the disguise and preached congratulations to Sulayman with attacks on al-Hajjaj and Qutayba — 'Abu Tutayna the oilman, the most eloquent of men'. Reading the letter, Qutayba struck the Banu Ahtham, killing nine; Bashir said 'remember my excuse' — 'you put one foot forward and held the other back, enemy of God' — and killed them all. Waki' ibn Abi Sud, deposed from Tamim's command for a Dabbi, swore then, missed zhuhr and asr, and when asked answered: 'how should I pray to a Lord who killed our best as boys and was not angered for them?'

Qutayba's Estrangement from Sulayman

At a glance

Overview

The sermon

Sulayman's letter

Note

Connections

People and things also explored

Sources

Time

The Abu Tutayna Affair