Muawiya and al-Zarqa

One of the most brilliant Arab women in history

Among the most delightful things related of Muawiya, after he had consolidated his caliphate, is that one night he summoned his companions and talked with them of Siffin and of those who had distinguished themselves there. Their talk came round to those who had striven to kindle the fire of the war, and they said: a woman of the people of Kufa called al-Zarqa, who used to stand between the ranks and cry, "O companions of Ali!" and then address to them words that were all incitement. Muawiya said to them: "Which of you remembers her words?" They said: "We all remember them." He said: "Then what do you counsel me concerning her?" They said: "We counsel you to kill her, for she deserves it." Muawiya said to them: "Ill is your counsel. Would it be seemly for it to be spread abroad of me that, after I had triumphed and gained the power, I killed a woman who had kept faith with her lord? No, by God." Then he called his scribe and wrote to his governor in Kufa: "Send to me al-Zarqa, daughter of Adi, with a party of her kin and horsemen of her people; and prepare for her a soft couch and a docile mount." When the letter came to him, he went to her and read it to her. She said, after the reading of the letter: "I am not one to swerve from obedience." So he carried her in a litter whose covering he made of lined khazz silk, and then gave her good company on the way. When she came before Muawiya, he said to her: "Welcome and greetings — the best arrival ever made by a visitor! How are you, aunt, and how did you find your journey?" She said: "The best of journeys." He said: "Do you know why I sent for you?" She said: "None knows the unseen but God, glorified and exalted be He." He said: "Were you not the rider of the red camel on the day of Siffin, standing between the ranks, kindling the fire of the war and inciting to battle?" She said: "Yes." He said: "And what moved you to that?" She said: "O Commander of the Faithful, the head has died and the tail has been cut off; time is full of changes, and he who reflects, sees; and one matter brings forth another after it." He said: "You have spoken truly. Do you know your own words — do you remember what you said?" She said: "No, by God." He said: "God bless your father! I heard you say: O people! The lamp gives no light in the sun; the stars give no light beside the moon; the mule does not outrun the horse; and iron is cut by nothing but iron. Whoever seeks guidance of us, we shall guide him, and whoever asks of us, we shall inform him. Truth was seeking its stray, and it has found it. Patience, then, O company of the Muhajirun and the Ansar! It is as though you saw the scattered gathered together again, the word of justice made manifest, and truth victorious over its falsehood. He who is in the right and he who is in the wrong are not equal. Is he who was a believer like him who was ungodly? They are not equal. To the combat, to the combat! Patience, patience! The dye of women is henna; the dye of men is blood. And patience is the best of things in its issue. Turn again to the war, unflinching, for this is a day that has what comes after it. — O Zarqa, were these not your words and your incitement?" She said: "It was even so." He said: "You shared with Ali in every drop of blood he shed." She said: "May God make good your tidings, O Commander of the Faithful, and prolong your safety. One like you brings good tidings and gladdens his companion." Muawiya said: "And has that pleased you?" She said: "Yes, by God, your words have pleased me — but how shall I be assured of their fulfillment?" Muawiya said to her: "By God, your faithfulness to him after his death is more wonderful to me than your love of him in his life. Name your wants, and they shall be granted." She said: "O Commander of the Faithful, I have sworn to myself never again to ask any man for a want." He said: "Baseness on the part of the counselor — and had I obeyed him, I would have been his partner." He said: "Nay, rather we pardon you, and do you kindness, and watch over you." She said: "O Commander of the Faithful, that is generosity from you; and such a one as you is he who, having the power, pardons; who forgives the one who has done him wrong; and who gives without being asked." So he gave her raiment and dirhams, returned her safe to her homeland, and wrote to the governor of Kufa charging him with the care of her and of her kin.