The Great Calamity: An Abbasid/Zanj rebellion tl
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Haha, I had. However, I decided that as the only Abbasid tl on the site, I should bring it back.
Thank you, for your viewership. Always an honor.
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With my 0 knowledge of the period and places, I am very curious of this timeline, as it enlighten me. 
So, consider me subscribed, however I am not able to give any input...
Please continue the great work!
So, consider me subscribed, however I am not able to give any input...
Please continue the great work!
In the lands of Ninewah (north Iraq).
The rebellion of Musawir which captured the city of Hulwan wgich started as a simple protest against unjust execution, had turned into a fearsome army now free to roam the most north sections of Iraq. It's leader, Musawir ibn abd al-Shari, a tribal Arab Shaykh who in his early days served as a minor general in the Abbasid caliphate and gained notoriety in early battles with the Khurramiyyah in defending Arab tribal territory. However, originally a Sunni Muslim of strong faith, over the years with the Mihna and the corruption in the Abbasid court and the obvious disagreement between a man considered a hero, Yaq'ub al-Saffarid and the Caliph Mu'Tazz who more and more was seen as weak, led him to begin to rethink his views on giving Bayait to the caliph and considered the path of the rebel in accordance with factions in his court made up of Khawarij.
A famed horseman, one of the major figures in this conversion of Musawir, named Muhammad ibn Qurzad, a Kurdish Khawarij. A man of extreme deceptive abilities, he considered himself to be a master of secrets and performed kitman to its upmost perfection. He from the start inserted himself in the court of the Dhiqan Musawir to incite a rebellion eventually primarily of Kurds, especially those disaffected from the Khurramiyyah and the atrocities committed previously by former caliphs. Qurzad in his manueverings attracted fellow Khawarij inciter, Ayyub ibn Hayan al-Wariqi, a Arab tribesman from Egypt previously of Coptic faith, to the court of Musawir in al-Bawazid, near the city of Hulwan (near Mosul).
Ayyub ibn Hayyan and Qurzad at the onset of the revolt became the trusted commanders of Musawir and directed the aged Shaykh further into war, all the while attracting warriors from the Kurdish tribes to their ranks. The two would also become the mouthpiece for Musawir who assumed the role as ceremonial leader and general in the field. However, the coordination was beset by a deep seated mistrust as always followed the deviancy of the Khawarij, a lust for power always sat at the hearts of the rebellion which said that the rule is for Allah.
In the same year, Palestinian strongman, Isa ibn al-Shaykh al-Shaybani tasked by the Abbasid court for the leadership of Ninewah and Anbar tribal areas, arrived in Hulwan to asses the damage.
Speaking to his aid, Kamal al-Fustayd
"This Musawir, who exactly is he, and from whence did he come?" Said Isa
"Surely you recall him, master? The man of the hill country, he served for years in the Zanjan heights as a lieutenant engaging the Kufr of the Khurramiyyah."
"Wallahi (I swear), his past matters not! It matters not if he was the son of Muhammad (SAW) himself, I will cut him down in the valleys and the hills and in the vast desert to which he flees my swinging sword. Age hath corrupted a man of supposed virtue, thus let I be the cleansing water to which his deviancy is eradicated. I, have yet been bested in war nor in faith nor in debate, let he fear thy which have none!"
Kamal al-Fustayd (always seeking to kiss up) thus replied:
"O assuredly, battle is a problem, not for thee. Verily, let the enemies of the string sword cower as women below their husbands, let them shreik for the awaiting massacre."
Then in an almost ghostly manner, a messenger arrived with a letter for Isa ibn al-Shaykh al-Shaybani.
The letter was thus opened and read aloud to Isa ibn al-Shaykh al-Shaybani (illiterate) by Kamal al-Fustayd, saying:
"Greetings, we bid you glad tidings emir of Ninewah, Isa ibn al-Shaybani. We were informed of your location by our most courageous clients through the land of the righteous amongst the land, thus we took it upon ourselves to send a letter unto you before you arrived in al-Hulwan. We expect that our gesture will be met with likewise warmth.
As you most surely know, our armies have decimated al-Hulwan for their transgressions against the downtrodden and for being emissaries of the transgressors (Abbasid). We, with pleasure, inform you that our jihad is most just and is within the parameters of Fiqh. To fight those to whom have become apostates and forsook the rule of Allah is incumbent upon all Muslim and we, the joyous of Allah have taken the difficult and rewarding task of implementing the rule of Allah upon earth and executing the apostate.
The Abbasid have wronged the people and overstepped their rule and thus have become Kuffar and apostate. By Allah, it is the duty of we, and you to cut down such imposters. Thus we, within the providence of Allah, give you a choice:
Join the Jihad and join the righteous or be among the apostate. Muhammad (SAW) said that 'amongst my Ummah shall be 72 sects but amongst them only one shall be in paradise,' let us ask you, to which do you belong? As you are, you are still Muslim, but to remain amongst the imposters will incur our total wrath and from thence will be a Kuffar and will be slain anywhere you turn. Yet, we, assume that you will remain a Muslim from amongst the righteous and renounce being a tool for the hypocrites.
Blessed be Allah, to whom rule is His. Allah is the lone arbitrator, any other is denounced to hellfire. Our brother, Yahya ibn Umar spread his message and was murdered, the blood stains the court of Baghdad and the sword of the righteous yearns to cut. Let Allah decide between those who truly battle and those who tarry, be cursed he who ignores the call to arms, we will cut him down into the depths of the abyss. May the one who doubts be condemned forever with blisters and torture forever more. Ameen."
As Kamal finished, Isa al-Shaybani pulls his sword out and places it on the ground, saying:
"Never have I been a coward. These men claim to resist the Amir, but let him know that his true enemy is not Baghdad but I! Better the gates open releasing hell and Shaytan, than face me! I will tear these imbeciles apart myself, mark this, by Allah they will be turned into rubble before my feet. My anger will not wait for an emissary, let the letter be my sword, no words, let war be the test of Allah, as they say."
Thus began the formal war of the Kharijite rebellion of the north, as Isa al-Shaybani sets out to hunt the Khawarij.
I hope this was a good update, I am trying to take it slowly.
The rebellion of Musawir which captured the city of Hulwan wgich started as a simple protest against unjust execution, had turned into a fearsome army now free to roam the most north sections of Iraq. It's leader, Musawir ibn abd al-Shari, a tribal Arab Shaykh who in his early days served as a minor general in the Abbasid caliphate and gained notoriety in early battles with the Khurramiyyah in defending Arab tribal territory. However, originally a Sunni Muslim of strong faith, over the years with the Mihna and the corruption in the Abbasid court and the obvious disagreement between a man considered a hero, Yaq'ub al-Saffarid and the Caliph Mu'Tazz who more and more was seen as weak, led him to begin to rethink his views on giving Bayait to the caliph and considered the path of the rebel in accordance with factions in his court made up of Khawarij.
A famed horseman, one of the major figures in this conversion of Musawir, named Muhammad ibn Qurzad, a Kurdish Khawarij. A man of extreme deceptive abilities, he considered himself to be a master of secrets and performed kitman to its upmost perfection. He from the start inserted himself in the court of the Dhiqan Musawir to incite a rebellion eventually primarily of Kurds, especially those disaffected from the Khurramiyyah and the atrocities committed previously by former caliphs. Qurzad in his manueverings attracted fellow Khawarij inciter, Ayyub ibn Hayan al-Wariqi, a Arab tribesman from Egypt previously of Coptic faith, to the court of Musawir in al-Bawazid, near the city of Hulwan (near Mosul).
Ayyub ibn Hayyan and Qurzad at the onset of the revolt became the trusted commanders of Musawir and directed the aged Shaykh further into war, all the while attracting warriors from the Kurdish tribes to their ranks. The two would also become the mouthpiece for Musawir who assumed the role as ceremonial leader and general in the field. However, the coordination was beset by a deep seated mistrust as always followed the deviancy of the Khawarij, a lust for power always sat at the hearts of the rebellion which said that the rule is for Allah.
In the same year, Palestinian strongman, Isa ibn al-Shaykh al-Shaybani tasked by the Abbasid court for the leadership of Ninewah and Anbar tribal areas, arrived in Hulwan to asses the damage.
Speaking to his aid, Kamal al-Fustayd
"This Musawir, who exactly is he, and from whence did he come?" Said Isa
"Surely you recall him, master? The man of the hill country, he served for years in the Zanjan heights as a lieutenant engaging the Kufr of the Khurramiyyah."
"Wallahi (I swear), his past matters not! It matters not if he was the son of Muhammad (SAW) himself, I will cut him down in the valleys and the hills and in the vast desert to which he flees my swinging sword. Age hath corrupted a man of supposed virtue, thus let I be the cleansing water to which his deviancy is eradicated. I, have yet been bested in war nor in faith nor in debate, let he fear thy which have none!"
Kamal al-Fustayd (always seeking to kiss up) thus replied:
"O assuredly, battle is a problem, not for thee. Verily, let the enemies of the string sword cower as women below their husbands, let them shreik for the awaiting massacre."
Then in an almost ghostly manner, a messenger arrived with a letter for Isa ibn al-Shaykh al-Shaybani.
The letter was thus opened and read aloud to Isa ibn al-Shaykh al-Shaybani (illiterate) by Kamal al-Fustayd, saying:
"Greetings, we bid you glad tidings emir of Ninewah, Isa ibn al-Shaybani. We were informed of your location by our most courageous clients through the land of the righteous amongst the land, thus we took it upon ourselves to send a letter unto you before you arrived in al-Hulwan. We expect that our gesture will be met with likewise warmth.
As you most surely know, our armies have decimated al-Hulwan for their transgressions against the downtrodden and for being emissaries of the transgressors (Abbasid). We, with pleasure, inform you that our jihad is most just and is within the parameters of Fiqh. To fight those to whom have become apostates and forsook the rule of Allah is incumbent upon all Muslim and we, the joyous of Allah have taken the difficult and rewarding task of implementing the rule of Allah upon earth and executing the apostate.
The Abbasid have wronged the people and overstepped their rule and thus have become Kuffar and apostate. By Allah, it is the duty of we, and you to cut down such imposters. Thus we, within the providence of Allah, give you a choice:
Join the Jihad and join the righteous or be among the apostate. Muhammad (SAW) said that 'amongst my Ummah shall be 72 sects but amongst them only one shall be in paradise,' let us ask you, to which do you belong? As you are, you are still Muslim, but to remain amongst the imposters will incur our total wrath and from thence will be a Kuffar and will be slain anywhere you turn. Yet, we, assume that you will remain a Muslim from amongst the righteous and renounce being a tool for the hypocrites.
Blessed be Allah, to whom rule is His. Allah is the lone arbitrator, any other is denounced to hellfire. Our brother, Yahya ibn Umar spread his message and was murdered, the blood stains the court of Baghdad and the sword of the righteous yearns to cut. Let Allah decide between those who truly battle and those who tarry, be cursed he who ignores the call to arms, we will cut him down into the depths of the abyss. May the one who doubts be condemned forever with blisters and torture forever more. Ameen."
As Kamal finished, Isa al-Shaybani pulls his sword out and places it on the ground, saying:
"Never have I been a coward. These men claim to resist the Amir, but let him know that his true enemy is not Baghdad but I! Better the gates open releasing hell and Shaytan, than face me! I will tear these imbeciles apart myself, mark this, by Allah they will be turned into rubble before my feet. My anger will not wait for an emissary, let the letter be my sword, no words, let war be the test of Allah, as they say."
Thus began the formal war of the Kharijite rebellion of the north, as Isa al-Shaybani sets out to hunt the Khawarij.
I hope this was a good update, I am trying to take it slowly.
Good update, I like the focus so far on many different characters with conflicting aims, something not all TL's have.
It will be interesting to see how Isa al-Shaybani does against the Kharijites.
It will be interesting to see how Isa al-Shaybani does against the Kharijites.
Yes, I am trying to make the characters more lifelike and more interested to read about. Also I want the characters to have their own agendas outside of those I specifically deem exceptionally loyal.
The courts of Baghdad buzzed as they always did. Scholars attend the caliph and Amir, Mu'Tazz as he contemplates the plight of his people, yet without a single idea of how to assist his ailing populace. Born in purple, Mu'Tazz has never truly known the world and scarcely leaves the company of his flocks of Mu'Tazilte attendants and his Mamluk bodyguards. As watchful as always, his eminence al-Wathiq moves into the room followed by the unimpressive Mansur ibn Ja'far al-Khayyat.
Al-Khayyat was wearing his typical dark armor and a brown turban covering his head and neck showing only his face. A short man and smaller for a typical general, his armor was nevertheless noteworthy and his brown turban hides his deep seated pride and talent. Al-Khayyat is a man who was raised within the Mu'Tazilite circles, he is an intellectual who believes himself to be greater than any yet also is famed for his practice prudent decisions. He previously had met with al-Wathiq to discuss developments in Iran with the more and more rogue Ya'qub ibn Layth al-Saffar.
Mu'Tazz then greets the two men arriving into his court.
"Salam alaykum to both.... (looking to al-Khayyat) Welcome, O Amir al-Khayyat, how goes your forces?"
Al-Khayyat: "Perhaps it best be quick that I divulge my advice now as opposed to postponement."
In the corner, al-Muhtadi, relative of Mu'Tazz and righteous warrior, grips his sword and whinces, fearing the worst.
Al-Wathiq then interjects, "I have been discussing in length with the General as to the developments in Fars in regards to your subjects therein. It is with honesty that al-Khayyat relays to you his advice and mine in accordance, as to the situation at hand."
Mu'Tazz replies: "Then let the heart speak, I am not feeble of ears to not listen to the word of my subjects nor of the concerns of those close."
Al-Muhtadi then eases his grip and breathes calmly no longer worrying of a coup as he had seen all too often in his childhood.
Al-Khayyat then grins slightly and closes his eyes to open again and say, "War with Ya'qub ibn Layth al-Saffar is inevitable."
Mu'Tazz then becomes shocked and grips the arms on his chair and bites his tongue denying a scream.
Al-Wathiq worriedly gives a glance at Muhtadi who gives no reaction to the news. Al-Muhtadi had expected such an event to come and awaited the confrontation, he deep down hated Persians and saw them as still Majoosi (fire worshippers), he was an Arab of old and an Arab of old always mistrusted the vile Persian.
A man standing at the side of Mu'Tazz, Juhad al-Misrani open and says: "You grin as if you are excited at this insurrection; perhaps al-Khayyat wishes ill for his majesty." This sort of statement was common and even more so in the courts of the Abbasid as Mu'Tazilite attempted to gain favor and entangle their enemies in scandal, it was a place of high treason and deception, one of constant lies and secrets.
Al-Khayyat: "O Amir, pay no mind to your attendant, I mean no harm by the grin, but to smile at the coming ruin to befall the transgressor." Deep down al-Khayyat while immensely intelligent, favored chaos and war so to gain fame for himself.
Mu'Tazz ignoring the altercation, replies: "How could this be? I have given all my support behind Ya'qub and showered him with awards and titles. It must be a mistake, o general, it is not beyond any man to be mistaken. Allah knows best, further the Ya'qub has served me in wars across the east and waged jihad in the name of Allah, how then is he to rebel with the throne of Islam before him?"
Al-Wathiq replied: "Your majesty, let yourself never be fooled. None can be trusted to be loyal nor the deception ever to be discounted-"
Al-Muhtadi approaches as a giant amongst men head tall and his beard flowing against his armor covered by a robe. His steps stop mid speech al-Wathiq. Wathiq knows deep down the power of Muhtadhi and fears Him, thus he stops to watch as this imposing person marches forward.
Muhtadhi then looking upon al-Khayyat, who returns a state of confidence, opens and says:
"O general, I am the protector of my cousin Mu'Tazz, and his most confidant. I would like to impress to you that I live not by common niceties nor compliments, it veils a true intention, something you are no doubt versed upon. (Then turning side ways to see both Mu'Tazz and the duo of Wathiq and Khayyat)
I saw this quickly arising and no doubt the Majoosi has turned to apostasy. Simply serving our master and paying service to Allah has never been the only sign of loyalty. I suggest drastic measures the defense of the Sunnah by cutting down this Majoos before he can garner any support amongst the Khurramiyyah nor the wider Majoos population."
Al-Khayyat then looks at Mu'Tazz and says: "Let's not be too brash, I suggest we invite him to stay in Estafahn for a meeting, where I will await and then ambush him."
The Mu'Tazila crowd erupts in a mixture of jeers and praises.
Al-Wathiq interjects: "Perhaps, we simply invite him to receive an award with no ill intention? If he comes, then he has submitted to the will of Allah and is trustworthy, if not, then by decree, he will become an apostate and his blood will be permissible and war will come."
Mu'Tazz, the ready idealist, nearly hops for joy hoping to prove Ya'qub's loyalty: "Then so be it, we will write to Ya'qub immediately, let it be s-....."
Suddenly a sprinting emissary runs through the doors into the court and proclaims, "hear o master, a slave has claimed the title of Khilafah and Basra is in danger, hear the words to be listed unto you."
.....
Thanks for reading, next update, we get more Baghdad court intrigue, my favorite.
Al-Khayyat was wearing his typical dark armor and a brown turban covering his head and neck showing only his face. A short man and smaller for a typical general, his armor was nevertheless noteworthy and his brown turban hides his deep seated pride and talent. Al-Khayyat is a man who was raised within the Mu'Tazilite circles, he is an intellectual who believes himself to be greater than any yet also is famed for his practice prudent decisions. He previously had met with al-Wathiq to discuss developments in Iran with the more and more rogue Ya'qub ibn Layth al-Saffar.
Mu'Tazz then greets the two men arriving into his court.
"Salam alaykum to both.... (looking to al-Khayyat) Welcome, O Amir al-Khayyat, how goes your forces?"
Al-Khayyat: "Perhaps it best be quick that I divulge my advice now as opposed to postponement."
In the corner, al-Muhtadi, relative of Mu'Tazz and righteous warrior, grips his sword and whinces, fearing the worst.
Al-Wathiq then interjects, "I have been discussing in length with the General as to the developments in Fars in regards to your subjects therein. It is with honesty that al-Khayyat relays to you his advice and mine in accordance, as to the situation at hand."
Mu'Tazz replies: "Then let the heart speak, I am not feeble of ears to not listen to the word of my subjects nor of the concerns of those close."
Al-Muhtadi then eases his grip and breathes calmly no longer worrying of a coup as he had seen all too often in his childhood.
Al-Khayyat then grins slightly and closes his eyes to open again and say, "War with Ya'qub ibn Layth al-Saffar is inevitable."
Mu'Tazz then becomes shocked and grips the arms on his chair and bites his tongue denying a scream.
Al-Wathiq worriedly gives a glance at Muhtadi who gives no reaction to the news. Al-Muhtadi had expected such an event to come and awaited the confrontation, he deep down hated Persians and saw them as still Majoosi (fire worshippers), he was an Arab of old and an Arab of old always mistrusted the vile Persian.
A man standing at the side of Mu'Tazz, Juhad al-Misrani open and says: "You grin as if you are excited at this insurrection; perhaps al-Khayyat wishes ill for his majesty." This sort of statement was common and even more so in the courts of the Abbasid as Mu'Tazilite attempted to gain favor and entangle their enemies in scandal, it was a place of high treason and deception, one of constant lies and secrets.
Al-Khayyat: "O Amir, pay no mind to your attendant, I mean no harm by the grin, but to smile at the coming ruin to befall the transgressor." Deep down al-Khayyat while immensely intelligent, favored chaos and war so to gain fame for himself.
Mu'Tazz ignoring the altercation, replies: "How could this be? I have given all my support behind Ya'qub and showered him with awards and titles. It must be a mistake, o general, it is not beyond any man to be mistaken. Allah knows best, further the Ya'qub has served me in wars across the east and waged jihad in the name of Allah, how then is he to rebel with the throne of Islam before him?"
Al-Wathiq replied: "Your majesty, let yourself never be fooled. None can be trusted to be loyal nor the deception ever to be discounted-"
Al-Muhtadi approaches as a giant amongst men head tall and his beard flowing against his armor covered by a robe. His steps stop mid speech al-Wathiq. Wathiq knows deep down the power of Muhtadhi and fears Him, thus he stops to watch as this imposing person marches forward.
Muhtadhi then looking upon al-Khayyat, who returns a state of confidence, opens and says:
"O general, I am the protector of my cousin Mu'Tazz, and his most confidant. I would like to impress to you that I live not by common niceties nor compliments, it veils a true intention, something you are no doubt versed upon. (Then turning side ways to see both Mu'Tazz and the duo of Wathiq and Khayyat)
I saw this quickly arising and no doubt the Majoosi has turned to apostasy. Simply serving our master and paying service to Allah has never been the only sign of loyalty. I suggest drastic measures the defense of the Sunnah by cutting down this Majoos before he can garner any support amongst the Khurramiyyah nor the wider Majoos population."
Al-Khayyat then looks at Mu'Tazz and says: "Let's not be too brash, I suggest we invite him to stay in Estafahn for a meeting, where I will await and then ambush him."
The Mu'Tazila crowd erupts in a mixture of jeers and praises.
Al-Wathiq interjects: "Perhaps, we simply invite him to receive an award with no ill intention? If he comes, then he has submitted to the will of Allah and is trustworthy, if not, then by decree, he will become an apostate and his blood will be permissible and war will come."
Mu'Tazz, the ready idealist, nearly hops for joy hoping to prove Ya'qub's loyalty: "Then so be it, we will write to Ya'qub immediately, let it be s-....."
Suddenly a sprinting emissary runs through the doors into the court and proclaims, "hear o master, a slave has claimed the title of Khilafah and Basra is in danger, hear the words to be listed unto you."
.....
Thanks for reading, next update, we get more Baghdad court intrigue, my favorite.
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John Fredrick Parker
Donor
So I'm getting the image in my head as I read this, not if some great battle between the Abbassid and Zanj armies, but of the idealist Mu'Tazz sitting down and talking with an emissary of the slave revolution... then surprising just about everyone by agreeing that they have legitimate grievances. In this image, he goes on to offer freedom to those who "admit error" and become "true" Muslims (recognizing him as caliph, the created nature of the Quran, etc).
Maybe this is pure ASB and I'm crazy for thinking it, but it does make me smile to think about. Anyway, it's your TL -- and speaking of which, great job! Will follow if it continues.
Maybe this is pure ASB and I'm crazy for thinking it, but it does make me smile to think about. Anyway, it's your TL -- and speaking of which, great job! Will follow if it continues.
Hmm. Maybe. I'm glad this is getting some reads, I may continue writing this if I feel up to it. Lately, I have not been too active on this site.