Nasb-and-the-Nawasib

The reality is that in general they had dealt with the revolutionists from among
the Alawids with the same amount of intensity and fierceness that the Umayyads
had dealt with them with, or even more. To the extent that it is said, “The blood
of the Ahl al-Bayt has been shed in every direction,” 1 during their era.
It is no surprise to note that the rulers of both dynasties were no different in
their fierceness and harshness, for the objective was one, i.e. securing rulership
and saving it from every person who tried to snatch it, irrespective of who he
may be. This also explains al-Saffāḥ’s treatment of his opponents which at times
was barbaric due to him not hesitating in shedding blood. 2 It also explains the
doings of Abū Jaʿfar al-Manṣūr who started off his rule with killing Abū Muslim
al-Khurāsānī, the man who campaigned for them and paved the way to rulership
for them, 3 and together with that his uncle who rebelled against him 4 and also
many other people. Only thereafter did he manage to secure uncontested rule for
himself and his children. 5
Al-Manṣūr had made his general policy clear to the people in a sermon which he
delivered after killing Abū Muslim. He said:
أيها الناس،‏ ل تنفروا أطيار النعم بترك الشكر فتحل بكم النقم،‏ ول تسروا غش الئمة فإن أحدا ل يسر
منكم شيئا إل ظهر في فلتات لسانه صفحات وجهه وطوالع نظره،‏ وإنا لن نجهل حقوقكم ما عرفتم حقنا،‏
ول ننسى الحسان إليكم ما ذكرتم فضلنا،‏ ومن نازعنا هذا القميص أوطأنا أم رأسه حتى يستقيهم رجالكم
وترتدع عمالكم
O people, do not repel the bounties by ingratitude, for calamities will
befall you. And do not conceal treachery against your rulers, for whoever
conceals treachery, it will become clear from the slips of his tongue, the
expressions of his face and the looks of his eyes. We will not be unmindful
1 Tārīkh Ibn Khaldūn 4/6; Simṭ al-Nujūm al-ʿAwālī 4/154.
2 Tārīkh al-Khulafāʾ p. 259; al-Muqrīzī: al-Sulūk 1/116.
3 Tārīkh al-Khulafāʾ p. 260; Simṭ al-Nujūm al-ʿAwālī 3/371.
4 ʿAbd Allāh ibn ʿAlī. See: al-Bidāyah wa al-Nihāyah 10/61.
5 Al-Wāfī bi al-Wafayāt 17/232; Fawāt al-Wafayāt 1/568.
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