from that dark
period with the result that the recognition of true
and proper Islam became extremely difficult, and on
the other hand thousands of devout and loyal Muslims
lost their lives under the most terrible conditions.
As we have already said, Samara ibn Jundab was one
of those who agreed to co-operate with Mu'awiyah and
carry out his order. His reward was the deputyship
of the governor of Basra. In addition to his wicked
deeds in the past, he started a terrible massacre
in that city.
at-Tabari writes: Ibn Sirin, well-known scholar, was
asked:
"Did Samara ibn-Jundab kill anyone at all?"
He answered:
"Could those who were killed by him be counted
at all? Once Ziyad on going to Kufah, chose Samara
and his deputy, and when he returned after six months,
Samara had killed eight thousand innocent people!
It is said that one morning he killed forty-seven
men all of whom were memorizes of the Qur'an."(356)
at-Tabari adds that when Ziyad died, Samara was acting
as his deputy in Basra. Mu'awiyah allowed him to govern
that city for some months and then dismissed him.
For that reason Samara had said: "May God damn
Mu'awiyah! By God! If I had obeyed my God in the way
I obeyed Mu'awiyah, I would never have been punished
by Him."(357)
Another of those self-sold creatures was al-Mughayrah
ibn Shu'bah. He governed Kufah for seven years and
a few months, and never ceased his insult and reproach
towards the Imam and his devout followers and caviling
at the killers of 'Uthman, and praying for 'Uthman
and presenting his supporters and companions as virtuous
individuals. Of course al-Mughayrah, owing to his
political understanding, adopted a relatively lenient
and moderate method with occasional strictness, at-Tabari
says: One day al-Mughayrah addressed Sa'sa'ah ibn
Sawhan, devout friend of the Imam and said: "Take
care and let me not hear one day that you have criticized
'Uthman. Similarly you must abstain from a public
declaration of 'Ali's virtues. For, I am more aware
of everything than you about this matter, but what
can I do? The Umayyad ruler is in control of the affairs
and we have been charged with the task of reproaching
'Ali. Naturally in many eases we desist from it unless
we are compelled to do so, in which case we say a
few things for our
