The Chaliphate - Muir - The Search For Mecca

CHAP. LXXii.] CARMATHIAXS 561
of this reprobate were drawing to an end. A Turkish
general, Wasif, sent by the Caliph .\1-Muktafi with a great
army, after two days' desperate fighting, discomfited the
fanatic host and dispersed it with great slaughter. Zikraweih,
taken prisoner, died of his wounds before reaching I^agdad,
and the populace, eager for a cruel spectacle, had to be
satisfied with the sight of his lifeless body. The fragments
of the rebel army were pursued into Syria, where the}' were
dispersed by Al-Hosein ibn Hamdan.
In the following reign we come upon even more fearful Renewed
outbreaks of the savage fanatics who still held the province To^^^li'
of Al-Bahrein. Early in the fourth century, their chief
Suleiman was induced to make a diversion in favour of the
Fatimid ruler in Africa (of whom more below); and thereupon
stormed and sacked Al-Basra. A few years after, Attack on
in 311 A.ii. (923 A.D.), he surprised that unfortunate city again J^nJf'Jmagt
by night, and for seventeen days made it the scene of fire, caravans,
and blood, and rapine. It was not till the approach of troops
from Bagdad, that the Carmathians retired laden with spoil
and multitudes of captives whom they sold as slaves.
The pilgrim caravans were again the object of savage
attack ; successive companies treated with brutal cruelt}- as
before ;
thousands plundered, slain, or taken captive. One Kufa
^^-'-"^-^ ^'
caravan of 7000 was pursued and scattered close to Al- ^'°'^"'^ •
Kufa ; the city was stormed, and for six days subjected to
like treatment as Al-Basra. Suleiman had then the insolence
to demand the government of Al-Ahwaz, and being refused,
spread his followers over Mesopotamia and Al-'Irak. The
divine promise of victory inscribed on his white banner ^
waving over the fanatics, nerved them to beat back over
and over again the Caliph's armies led by his best generals,
and even to threaten the Capital itself The affrighted
inhabitants fled across the river to the eastern quarter, and
on one occasion to the hills beyond. Rapine and terror were
thus the fate of the unhappy land for three or four years.
At last suffering defeat, the fanatic host withdrew into 317 a. h.
Arabia ; but only to renew their horrid outrages at Mecca.
The Holy City was given up to plunder ; and so little
'
It had this text as its legend ; We (the Most Hijj^h) desire to show
Our favour unto those who are weak in the land, and make them leaders
and heirs (of the kingdom).—Sura xxviii. 4.
2 N