Malik al-Ashtar
Malik al-Ashtar (Arabic: مَالِك ٱلْأَشْتَر), also known as Mālik bin al-Ḥārith al-Nakhaʿīy al-Maḏḥijīy (Arabic: مَالِك ٱبْن ٱلْحَارِث ٱلنَّخَعِيّ ٱلْمَذْحِجِيّ) was, according to Sunni view, one of the people involved behind Uthman's assassination. While, according to Shias, he was one of the loyal companions of Ali ibn Abi Talib, cousin of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. According to them, Malik remained a loyal and avid supporter of Muhammad's progeny and the Hashemite clan. He rose to a position of prominence during the caliphate of Ali and participated in several battles, such as the Battle of Jamal and Siffin against Mu'awiya.[1] His title "al-Ashtar" references an eyelid injury he received during the Battle of Yarmouk.[2]
Mālik ibn al-Ḥārith
مَالِك ٱلْأَشْتَر
مَالِك ٱلْأَشْتَر
c. 659 (AH 39) (Aged 74)
Egypt, Rashidun caliphate
Nukha (tribe)
al-Harith ibn Abd-Yaguth (father)
Right wing commander of the Battle of the Camel And the Battle of Siffin
Birth[edit]
Although Malik's actual birth year is unknown, many historians say he was 10 years older than Ali Ibn Abi Talib and 20 years younger than Muhammad.[3] which it is possible he was born in the year 586 in Yemen Arabia. Moreover, it is known that Malik was a Madh'hij, a sub-class of the Bani Nakha tribe from Yemen,[4] which is also the tribe of another Sahabah named Amru bin Ma'adi Yakrib.
His lineage is traced back to Yarab bin Qahtan through his paternal surname Malik bin Al Hareth.
Assassination[edit]
Becoming governor of Egypt[edit]
Ali Ibn Abi Talib sent Malik al-Ashtar to Egypt to help Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr, the governor at the time, who was under threat from Amr ibn al-As, one of Mu'awiya's companions.[6] Amr ibn al-As wanted to become governor of Egypt and had rallied 6,000 soldiers to attack Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr.[2]
Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr was instructed by Alī' to return to his capital city, Kufa, and Malik Al-Ashtar was appointed Governor of Egypt in 658 (38 A.H.) by Alī ibn Abī-Tālib after the Battle of Siffin had ended.
Assassination Plan[edit]
When Mu'awiya learned that Ali appointed Malik al-Ashtar as the new governor of Egypt, he was overwhelmed with worry because he knew of al-Ashtar's ferocious build and strength.[6] Muawiyah formulated a plot to assassinate him using poison imported from Rome and sent a delegate with the poison to a certain man owning vast lands in al-Qilzim (a service station/resting spot for travelers) on the borders of Egypt, requesting that he poison al-Ashtar in exchange for lifelong tax exemption. The man agreed to the envoy's request.[6]
Death of al-Ashtar[edit]
On the way to Egypt, Malik al-Ashtar decided to stop at al-Qilzim. Upon his arrival, the man who agreed to poison Malik invited him for lunch at his house.[6] Malik accepted the man's invitation and went to his home. The man provided Malik with poisoned honey, which he consumed.[6] Malik realized he was poisoned as soon as he felt pain in his stomach. He placed his hand on his stomach and said "In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. We belong to Allah, and we'll come back to Him!"[6] Within moments Malik al-Ashtar died. Muawiyah is said to have rejoiced upon hearing of al-Ashtar's death.[2]
Legacy[edit]
Descendants[edit]
Malik had two sons named Ishaq and Ibrahim .[2] Ishaq was a phenomenal warrior who supported and gave his life to protect Hussain ibn Ali, the son of Ali, in the Battle of Karbala. After Habib ibn Muzahir, Ishaq killed the most enemy fighters.[2] On the other hand, Ibrahim ibn Malik al-Ashtar, the son of Malik al-Ashtar, along with Mukhtar al-Thaqafi rose against the killers of Hussain ibn Ali.[2] The two killed most of the killers of Hussain and his army. For example, they caught and killed Umar ibn Sa'ad, Shimr ibn Thil-Jawshan, Sanan ibn Anas, Hurmala ibn Kahil and Ubaidullah Ibn Ziyad (these were Yazid I's soldiers who fought against Hussain).[7]
Among his descendants are the Kalbasi family, who reside in Iran and Iraq. One branch of this family adds the title "Ashtari" to the end of their family name to denote this fact.
In Lebanon, the Hamadani family from the southern town of Nabatieh are also direct descendants who have maintained a family tree dating back to the Nakha'i tribe origins. The Mroueh family, after tracing their lineage, are also believed to be descendants. The Malek (or Malekian) family, from the Iranian province of Mazandaran are also believed to be descendants.