"Kufa, Year 32 After the Hijra"
Al-Ashtar hasn't come yet Do we wait for him?
No...
Welcome
Welcome, dear Kufa men
Thank you, our Lord
Ever since I've become the Governor of this country
I'm invoking Allah to facilitate our path
I swear Kufa is the only place I love after Mecca
- Peace be upon you - And be upon you
I hope I haven't interrupted you
I'm exhilarated to meet you, Malik Have a seat
The Commander of the Faithful Uthman Ibn Affan has bestowed upon me...
governing this great country Kufa, the arable land
And why did he bestow on you governing this country?
Ever since he made you Governor we're thinking about why did he choose you
What do you mean, Malik?
Aren't Kufa citizens entitled...
to know why the Commander of the Faithful made you Governor?
What good qualities do you have and aren't found in Kufa's men?
One doesn't praise himself, Malik Go ask him yourself
I don't consider our relation to be one of a Governor and subjects
I see us as one family
Kufa has always been a great ally for Mecca and its lords
This arable land is the Quraysh's garden
Quraysh's garden
Quraysh's garden?
Do you claim that this land that we've conquered by virtue of Allah
is yours and your people's property?
Don't misconstrue my words, Malik
I've meant that the Chief Companions have inhabited and built it
not that it's their property and they're your masters
Unbelievable!
You're changing your words and blame us
Take it back and apologize immediately
I won't take it back and I'm not at fault to apologize
Why are you willing to harm our Commander's appointees out of ill will?
Are you accusing me of ill-will because I'm uncovering your mistakes?
May Allah be merciful to Umar
He said about you "A 100,000 calamities with one Governor"
I'm sure, Umar didn't say such thing but you're fabricating that
No, he did say so and you deserve a worse description
- Leave my court at once - Come on, leave immediately
I'll leave
but after Ibn al-As apologizes
for what he's said about Muslims
- Behave yourself, Malik or else... - Enough!
That's enough, leave him
I swear...
I swear you won't stay a day in Kufa while I'm here
Your fate will be similar to Ibn Uqba's
"Episode 9"
Hind
Father
Hind
Allah Akbar
- Allah Akbar - Allah Akbar
Put it on my horse
Are you really going to Egypt?
With Allah's will
- Egypt will be a new start for me - Muhammad...
Our Commander didn't refuse your request to become Egypt's Governor out of bigot
Being a Governor has specific requirements and conditions as you know
He felt that you don't fulfil them yet
Have his kindred whom he appointed fulfilled these conditions?
If you wanted to help the Commander of the Faithful
There are many ways beside governance
Wait and be patient, brother
and don't leave the company of the Commander of the Faithful
for it's better for you
I no longer have a place here anymore
and I no longer fear for our Commander as long as you're by his side
As you wish, brother
Farewell
May Allah be merciful to Abi Sufyan
Any calamity after the loss of Allah's Messenger, peace be upon Him is easy
and we'll only say what pleases our Lord
As if he, May Allah be merciful to him...
knew that he's moribund when he asked to leave Damascus for Medina
So, he would be buried there
in al-Baqi amongst his brothers and next of kin
"Beware of the believer's intuition"
I think the Commander of the Faithful seemed concerned and sullen
Is there anything bad we don't know about in Medina?
What's bad is the news coming from Kufa and the turmoil spreading there
- Al-Ashtar al-Nakhai? - Yes
People of Yemen and the Qahtanites heed his orders
He lured a lot of the rabble and tempted them to rebel against their Governors
So, they sent their complaints to the Commander of the Faithful
which made him uneasy
If I didn't know that you're perseverant to support your subjects in Damascus
I would have asked you to stay for a longer time
By Allah, your company is delightful O Commander of the Faithful
But I'll go on to follow your orders that would make Allah pleased with me
Farewell
and my condolences
May Allah make your reward great, my Lord
and keep you a leader and advisor to the nation
I'll accompany you, Mu'awiya
- Peace be upon you - Peace and Allah's mercy be upon you
- Peace be upon you - And be upon you
Did you know what they're saying about Ibn Abi Sarh in Egypt?
- Yes, I know - I told you so
He's taking advantage of his post without sharing his wealth
Don't you think that they're fabricating lies about him?
He has conquered Ifriqiya
and took part in our naval victory in Cyprus
Is conquering any land entitles him to doing whatever he wants there?
That's incorrect, he's just but they only recall about him
that the Prophet has authorized his killing during the Conquest of Mecca
If the Prophet himself has spared his life
what can you say after the Prophet's ruling?
And why do they delve into that now?
Are you on his side to please Uthman, Mu'awiya?
Or you don't want to criticize him fearing that they might criticize you?
I follow the news of Egypt through Muslims
But you, Amr...
I know that you're waiting impatiently to return to your former position
Be patient, be patient
By Allah, you turn a blind eye to everything except Syria and its people
Listen, Aba Abd al-Rahman
I'll advice you out of loyalty to you and to your father
Be certain...
that the stability of Syria is essential for Egypt and Medina's stability
So, don't turn a cold shoulder to what's happening
and imagine that it would help you escape the consequences
Turmoil in any province no matter how far it's from you...
will affect you without a doubt
Thank you for your advice, Aba Abdullah
Mu'awiya?
You didn't respond to my lady, Nai'la, yet
What's wrong with you, Brother?
Doesn't it delight you?
How it doesn't delight me? Is there a better husband for my daughter
than the son of our Commander, Uthman whom the angels show modesty?
Then, what is it?
I have one condition
Are you imposing a condition on the Commander of the Faithful?
I stipulate that Ramla and her husband stay with me
After the passing of Fakhita and my father I don't want more parting
I don't bear for my daughter to be away from me
- Do you think he'll accept? - Why not?
We'll be Amr's loving family
Besides, he knows Damascus pretty well
He had always accompanied his father for trading
My foot has been hurting for days
That's because of your long travels
Rest today and it'll be alright tomorrow
That could be
My Lord
some water with a basil blossom and two saffron blossoms
will relieve your foot pain in a day or so
How did you know this medicine?
My mother is experienced at using flowers and herbs
She taught me
Have I seen you at the palace before?
She came a few days ago
Let's go, girls
You wait
What's your name?
Mayya
This way, your foot pain will be over soon, my Lord
No, it's gone immediately, Mayya
Do you want me to continue telling the story or are you bored, my Lord?
Continue Come, sit beside me
The king was astounded with the palace's intricate design and amazing colors
so, Sinmar, the builder felt happy
Especially, that he knows king Al-Numan's generosity
He took the king on a tour of the palace and went up to its top
Which astounded the king more because of the magnificent construction
However, Sinmar told him that just like he'd built that palace
he would build a similar or better palace for another king
Al-Numan feared that Sinmar would giveaway the palace's secret
Thus, the king looked Sinmar in the eye
What you think he did, my Lord?
Eliminated the secret by killing the bearer
He pushed him from the top of the palace
This is a story of a man killed by his devotion to his work
That's what Sinmar deserved
Allah Akbar, Allah Akbar
- Allah Akbar, Allah Akbar - I've lost track of time
I testify that there's no god but Allah
Give me permission to leave so you can prepare for prayer
I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah
Do you know other stories?
I testify the Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah
Yes, my Lord I have plenty
Come to success
Allah Akbar, Allah Akbar
Where have you been?
With my Lord, the Governor
Have you been with him all that time?
Yes, my lady
Leave!
Mu'awiya
Don't you miss Yazid?
Yes, I miss him so much
Then, I'll send for him so he can stay with us for a while
Do it
What's with you?
Nothing
Mu'awiya
You won't let you meet any handmaiden before I know everything about her
Do you think Utba hasn't investigated every handmaiden in the palace?
- Don't worry - How do you know?
I'm experienced at reading secrets by looking into others' eyes
Also, I'm not Utba to overlook an imminent threat
- As you wish - Juwairiyah
I like Mayya for she takes my worries away
so, leave my heart be
Al-Ashtar has gone too far at criticizing us and inciting people against us
Kufa won't settle down if he stays there
I'm afraid that his corruption might spread to other provinces
He continues to state that you're appointing your next of kin
and provide them with money and power
When have I appointed Governors from my next of kin, as a favor or a gift?
Allah is my witness...
that I've appointed the qualified and experienced people
If he claims that I'm appointing my next of kin
Let him prove it
Let him name them
Is Al-Qa'qa one of my relatives?
Or Abu Musa or Habib Ibn Maslama?
Malik has gone too far
and I won't turn a blind eye
Should we send a letter to Sa'id?
No
Don't send any letter
You'd better tell Sa'id to let them leave Kufa to Damascus
Then tell Mu'awiya to argue with them amicably
If they're convinced...
they would return home
but if they stayed misguided
I'll decide what punishment they deserve
Commander of the Faithful
Write what I've told you
Welcome, my dear son of my dearest
Welcome, Amr Ibn Uthman Ibn Affan
May Allah bless you and protect you from evil, Governor of Damascus
- How's the Commander of the Faithful? - He asks you to treat me well
I don't need that, Amr
You're the son of our Commander and you'll become Ramla's husband
I'll throw you a wedding that Damascus won't forget
The Governor's daughter marries without a wedding
How come?
Couldn't he donate anything but the wedding expenses?
You should not accept such a bizarre thing
No, I'll accept
- The wedding is the least of your rights - Auntie...
could I refuse his request...
after he accepted to leave Medina to live here with me?
If I'm happy with it why aren't you pleased?
I'm pleased with whatever you like
However, a young girl like you might be ignorant to conventions
Besides, you're the daughter of Damascus's Governor
A girl my age would be delighted to find a pious husband
who wouldn't let worldly vanities consume him
May Allah grant you success
I desire sleep at the wrong time
In hope to meet my beloved in my dreams
My dreams speak to me and let me see you
Alas, I wish my dreams come true
My father never thought that his youngest daughter may disobey him one day
But, I wouldn't accept marrying someone I don't love
When he insisted on that I had no choice but to flee
You left your home and family?
I escaped to be free
I grant my love to whom I choose and turn away from those I despise
However, I found myself running away from my past
I realized after years
after I've became one of the handmaidens
that there're all sorts of people, my Lord
and I wasn't meant to be free
I'll remove it after a while
What about your father?
He stays on my mind
I never stopped regretting this
He's the one who took care of me and taught me how to read and write
and used to tell me all types of stories
May Allah be merciful to you, Father
He was heartbroken when he yielded his breath
"Every soul will taste death"
One cannot escape his fate
It is hard to lose your loved ones
But do you know what's harder, Mayya?
No, my Lord
To lose your loved ones...
without telling them that you love them
Have you suffered such a thing?
Yes, Mayya
Since Fakhita became my wife
I've always been contemplating about my feelings toward her
but I didn't find an answer
except when she passed away
Alas, how much she yearned to hear a word of affection from me
Fakhita was my wife, mother and sister
If I could go back in time
I would put my feelings into words every day
telling her that I loved her the most in this world
Welcome, people of Kufa
- Peace be upon you - Peace upon you, Mu'awiya
Please, come in
I ordered to prepare a resident for you and if you needed anything...
Sarjon will be at your service
Is it a residence or a holding cell?
What kind of cell do you mean, Malik?
You're guests in Syria
Our Commander ordered me to treat you well and discuss things amicably
until you understand the truth
What if that "amicable" argument doesn't lead to anything?
Don't jump to conclusions, Malik
We'll have a conscious debate with all ears
Who entitled Sa'id to give away Kufa and its arable land...
and say that it's Quraysh's garden?
Perhaps he means that Arabs owe Quraysh a lot of credit
Allah's messenger is from Quraysh
and they launched the armies of conquest that vanquished Persia and Byzantium
If it weren't for Quraysh Islam wouldn't prevail over all religions
I didn't mean that, Mu'awiya what I meant is...
an Arab has no virtue over a non-Arab
or, for a man from Quraysh over a man from a different tribe
"Indeed the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you"
Kufa's Governor didn't mean anything else, Malik
Although you're right
you must admit what Quraysh has done for Arabs
or even for all people
How strange!
Doesn't our religion order us to dismiss boastfulness
"The believers are but brothers"
Whether they're from Quraysh or any other tribe
Fear Allah and avoid frivolous talk, Malik
and don't question every word the man says
"Indeed, Allah knows what is in the hearts"
Don't discredit others but focus on your religious and worldly affairs
If Al-Walid has refused you something I'll approve it this instant
Come on, tell me what you want
I promise you and I swear to Allah that I'll do it
I won't impose any conditions and you can think whatever you want
Go ahead!
What's with you?
Do you want us to return a lost right to you?
Or, you're inciting turmoil, suspicion arguments and decorative speech?
May Allah punish anyone who incites turmoil
Now, we're on the same page Aba Ibrahim
But, tell me...
How did you interpret what Sa'id said in that manner?
and thought he had malicious intent
and incited others to disobey him he and the Commander of the Faithful?
By Allah, Sa'id meant ill will by his speech
and I think that speech is shared by some of Quraysh's men
Is that speech accepted in Islam, Aba Ibrahim?
He's the one who's returning to the ways of the Age of Ignorance after Islam
You don't aim for the truth and reconciliation by this speech
If you've reached this level of misguidance
I warn you of the consequences of continuing this path
So, stop it, Malik
Stop stoking a fire that would burn everyone
Fear Allah for the faithful and their Commander who asked me to treat you fairly
If it wasn't for him I would have treated you otherwise
- Do your bidding, Mu'awiya - Malik!
I've told you to stop it
We're weary of arguing
Anyway, you're welcome in Damascus
Have some rest and let's convene again
You're quite patient in face of this arrogance, Mu'awiya
By Allah, If I were in your place I'd have imprisoned them at once
I'm still hoping to change their mind by arguing amicably
I don't rely on my sword where my whip works
and don't use my whip where my words work
Some people don't respond to anything but the whip
and others' heads don't deserve but the sword
Here, words are more dangerous than swords, Utba
Those people are saying things we've never heard before
and trying to insult the Caliph
imprisoning them won't remove the poison that flows through the veins
of their followers in Kufa or other provinces
What are you going to do now with their stubbornness?
I'll converse with Al-Ashtar alone
Perhaps he doesn't want to look weak in front of his followers
If he chose reason we'll treat him fairly
but if he insisted on his misguidance
I'll let Abd al-Rahman Ibn Khalid Ibn al-Walid in Homs to deal with him
He knows how to discipline who disobeys the Commander of the Faithful
"Fustat, Egypt Year 33 After the Hijra"
In the name of Allah The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
"Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due"
"and to judge with justice when you judge between people"
Allah Almighty is Truthful
The Islamic Caliphate was hit by a calamity
The Umayyads and Uthman's relatives are monopolizing governance
Like Al-Mugheira, Sa'id, Mu'awiya Al-Walid and Ibn Abi Sarh
Ibn Abi Sarh whom the Prophet has authorized his killing
- Peace be upon him - Uthman interceded for him
and he takes the fifth of the fifth of Ifriqiya's tributes
How is that fair?
People of Egypt are poor
and are fed up of the unjust collection of tribute by Ibn Abi Sarh
It's time to stop the injustice and stand up to any oppressor
Well said...
By Allah's will
Umar appointed those Governors may Allah be merciful to him
and they took part in conquest and Jihad
They supported the development of our nation by virtue of Allah
They've inhabited the land conquered countries
and have experience at governance and politics
So, be of help to them and argue them with advice amicably
Because, the nation would be better by your combined efforts
But that doesn't mean that you can monopolize governance
and act as if palaces are your property while excluding all Muslims
We have fought just like you
Although Jihad battles are to your credit
They don't make you entitled to own everything in the provinces
Do you want to be a Governor Aba Ibrahim?
If so, you're not qualified
And we don't know by revising the Prophet's rules or his Caliphs
that whoever asks for governance would be appointed
However, whoever asks for it would never be appointed
I'm not asking to be appointed I want the governors to be just
If the Governor is just
all of his subjects would become partners in governance
But every governor you complain about is dismissed by our Commander
He did so to Saad Ibn Abi Waqas
Then, he dismissed Ammar Ibn Yaser and appointed Al-Walid
and when you asked for his dismissal he didn't hesitate
So, what do you want?
We don't tolerate to have the poor and the needy among us
while people of wealth are living in their palaces
The rich must help the poor
You envy others for their blessings not a right seeker, Malik
I can please everyone except an envious person
for he wouldn't be pleased unless it's gone
You're no longer welcome in Damascus
No, I'm not sure whether Malik will not return to his old ways
Didn't you prove to him that what he's doing leads to turmoil?
I did
I've realized that he's thinking carefully about the matter
but I don't know whether he's going to heed my advice in the coming days
Are you still thinking that it's unwise to punish or imprison him?
I refuse that completely
That would be much more dangerous
He and his fellows are still a few men spreading nonsense here and there
and people are slightly affected by that
But if we ordered to punish or imprison him
that would only lead to increase the number of his followers
They might even fight others
But leaving him to whatever he wants is dangerous too
Well said
If it was left to me...
there's no solution other than removing him from Kufa with or without a reason
Abd al-Rahman Ibn Khalid Ibn al-Walid Governor of Homs will deal with them
This is the best solution
Send some to accompany them until they reach Homs
Yes, sir