Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 1 of 2

584 Governors at the time of 'Ali ibn Abi Ttlib
1.10. Eastern provinces
1.10.1. Persia
The sources state that 'Ali ibn Abi Tilib appointed Sahl ibn
Haneef al-Ans2ri (&) as governor of Persia. He remained there until
37 AH, when the people of Persia rebelled and drove him out. 'Ali
(&) contacted Ibn 'Abbgs, who was in charge of Basra, and
discussed with him the situation in Persia. After consulting a number
of people, he agreed that Ibn 'Abbgs would send his helper, Ziya ibn
Abi Sufygn, to handle the situation and take charge of Here
we see the clear connection between the province of Basra and the
region of Persia, and how Ibn 'Abbis felt that he was responsible for
that region because he was directly in charge of Basra. Ziy2d headed
for Persia accompanied by fonr thousand troops. He subjugated that
land and put an end to the turmoil there, and he managed to put its
affairs in order.''' Ziygd was well known for his great political
ability, which helped him to restore stability to that land with a
minimum of losses.191
At-Tabari said: When Ziy2d came to Persia. he sent for it7
leaders. He promised rewards to those who would support him, and he
threatened others, warning them and creating divisions among them,
giving intelligence about one group to another. Some of them fled,
and some stayed and fought one another. Persia came fully under his
control, and he did not encounter any fighting or war. He did
something similar in ~armik.' 92 Then he went to Persia and marched
through different cities, promising rewards. The people were happy
with that, aud the country submitted to him completely.'93 Ziygd put
the affairs of Persia in order, built some fortresses there, and orgauised
the land tax. He brought order to many places that were under his
governorship, until peace and security spread throughout the land.lg4
Ziygd continued as governor of Persia for the remainder of 'Ali's