Zaidi Revolt

Quick Facts: Who was Zaidi Revolt?

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Zaidi Revolt

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A series of Shi'a revolts against the Umayyad Caliphate led by Zayd ibn Ali.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Revolts of Zayd ibn Ali (Arabic: الثورات زيد بن علي, romanized: al-Thawrāt Zayd ibn ʿAlī), also known as the Zaydi Revolts, were a series of revolts initially led by Zayd ibn Ali and later his son and successor Yahya ibn Zayd against the Umayyad Caliphate, which had taken over from the Rashidun Caliphate since the death of his great-grandfather, Ali. Unlike his brother, Muhammad al-Baqir, the fifth Imam of the Twelver and Isma'ili Shi'as, Zayd ibn Ali believed the time was ripe for renewing the rebellion against the Umayyad Caliphs in support of the claims of his own Hashemite clan. On his trip to Iraq, he was persuaded by pro-Alid faction of Kufa that he had support of 10,000 warriors and could easily drive out a few hundred Umayyad soldiers stationed there. Kufa had previously been the capital of his great-grandfather Ali. He started to gather support from the populace in Kufa, Basra and Mosul and 15,000 people were enlisted on his army register.

Career & Major Achievements

The Umayyad governor of Kufa, however, learned of the plot, and commanded the people to gather at the great mosque, locked them inside and began a search for Zayd. Zayd with some troops fought his way to the mosque and called on people to come out. However, in events reminiscent of Husayn ibn Ali's own abandonment by the Kufans decades earlier, most of Zayd's supporters deserted him and joined the Umayyads, leaving him with only a few dozen followers who were vastly outnumbered. Nevertheless, Zayd continued to fight. His small band of followers was decisively defeated by the much larger Umayyad force, and Zayd was struck by an arrow that pierced his forehead.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The removal of the arrow led to his death. He was secretly buried outside Kufa, but the Umayyads eventually discovered his grave. In retribution for the uprising, they exhumed Zayd's body and crucified it. The corpse remained on the cross for three years. After the death of Caliph Hisham, his successor ordered Zayd's body to be burned, and the ashes were scattered in the Euphrates River.

Notable Quotes by Zaidi Revolt

“I swear by Him who appointed Muhammad to the Prophethood... that on the Resurrection Day I will grab the hands of whoever helps me in this battle and deliver him to Paradise...”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Zaidi Revolt

True or False: “The Umayyads immediately recognized Zayd ibn Ali as a martyr (shahid) deserving of respect.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The Umayyads treated him as a rebel and executed him; only later did some groups regard him as a righteous martyr.

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