Kumayl ibn Ziyad

[1] On their way to Madina, Malik al-Ashtar and the delegation (one of whom was Kumayl ibn Ziyad) stopped at al-Rabathan to visit Abu Dharr al-Ghifari.

Even, Aisha ( the wife of Muhammad and the daughter of Abu Bakr) was upset and called him a long bearded Jew for not removing al-Waleed as governor.

[1] Since Uthman refused to hear their concerns about al-Waleed, the delegation, including Kumayl, went to the house of Imam Ali in Medina.

And you know that very well I've heard Allah's Apostle (Prophet Muhammad) saying: 'On the Day of Judgement, the unjust imam will be brought to hell.

"[1] Eager to increase his understanding of this world, Kumayl ibn Ziyad loved to learn from his teacher, Imam Ali.

O Kumayl ibn Ziyad, those who hoard wealth perish even while they live, but the knowers endure for as long as time subsists; their (material) forms are absent, but their (spiritual) images in the hearts are present.

Yes, I found one who was quick to understand, but he could not be trusted with it, exploiting the tools of religion for the sake of worldly gain, empowering himself with the grace of Allah against his slaves, and with his proofs against his friends.

Kumayl, those who amass wealth die even as they live while those who have knowledge will continue to exist for as long as time lasts.

[1] In the Name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful Oh God, Oh He who extended the morning's tongue in the speech of its dawning, dispatched the fragments of the dark night into the gloom of its stammering, made firm the structure of the turning spheres in the measures of its display, and beamed forth the brightness of the sun through the light of its blazing!

Oh, He who has put me at ease in the cradle of His security and sanctuary, awakened me to the favors and kindness that He has bestowed upon me, and held from the claws of evil with His hand and His force!

Bless, O God, the guide to Thee in the darkest night, him who, of Thy ropes, clings to the cord of the longest nobility; him whose glory is evident at the summit of stout shoulders, and whose feet were entrenched in spite of slippery places in ancient time; and [bless] his household, the good, the chosen, the pious, And open for us, O God, the leaves of morning's door with the keys of mercy and prosperity!

My God, dost Thou see that I have only come to Thee from the direction of hopes or clung to the ends of Thy cords when my sins have driven me from the house of union?

So, O He who is alone in might and subsistence and dominates His slaves with death and annihilation, Bless Muhammad and his household, the god-fearing, answer my supplication hear my call, destroy my enemies and actualize through Thy bounty my hope and desire.

"[1] Imam Ali then told Kumayl, "Allah may protect thee from the evils of the enemies and the plots contrived by impostors.

I have made my own soul to suffer> I had the audacity (to sin) by my ignorance, relying upon my past remembrance of Thee and Thy grace towards me.

And not to disgrace me by exposing those (hidden ones) of which Thou hast knowledge, nor to hasten my retribution for those vices and misdeeds committed by me in secret, which were due to evil mindedness, ignorance, excessive lustfulness and my negligence.

But now I have turned to Thee, my Lord, after being guilty of omissions and transgressions against my soul, apologetically, repentantly, brokenheartedly, entreating earnestly for forgiveness, yielding, and confessing (to my guilt).

who originated my creation and accorded me my individuality, and ensured my upbringing and welfare, and provided my sustenance, I beg Thee to restore Thy favours and blessings upon me as Thou didst in the beginning of my life.

So much so that all my actions and offerings (prayers) may be transformed into one continuous and sustained effort, and my life may take the form of constant and perpetual service to Thee.

Whose Name is the remedy for all ills, and Whose remembrance is a sure cure for all ailments, and obedience to Whom makes one self sufficient, have mercy on one whose only asset is hope, and whose only armour is lamentation.

[10]On the 19th of Ramadan, while praying (Nafil Fajr) in the Great Mosque of Kufa, Imam Ali was attacked by a Khawarij named Abd-al-Rahman ibn Muljam.

Al-Hajjaj did his best to please Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan by imprisoning protesters, innocent men, and women - mainly Shi’as.

[7] Despite winning these battles, Abd al-Rahman noticed that his soldiers were tired of war and needed a break to boost their morale.

[7] They formed an army of over one hundred people, half of whom were foreigners who also faced persecution because they were treated as second class citizens by the Umayyads, who preferred Arabs to non-Arabs.

[7] The downfall of Hajjaj's army freed many cities such as Sajestan, Kirman, and Fars all in Iran, and Basrah and Kufa in Iraq.

[12] Some rebels escaped and Abd al-Rahman, Kumail Bin Zyyad, and Sa'id ibn Jubayr avoided being captured.

[7] After hearing the news about the torture of his family members and friends, Kumayl decided the only thing to do was to turn himself in to save them from persecution.

He left a great legacy with his words of wisdom, du'as (that he wrote down/preserved), his love for Imam Ali, his stance against oppression, corrupt rulers and martyrdom.

"[7] Shias all over the world recognize and honor Kumayl ibn Ziyad for his obedience, discipline, and love for Imam Ali.

Furthermore, they revere him as a noble companion who preserved the secrets of the world, teachings of Imam Ali, and several du'as including Du'a Kumayl, which is recited by Shias on Thursday nights.