The Good Beginning of Ibn Muljam and His Evil State After Umar’s Death

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Abdur Raḥman ibn Muljam al-Murādī, the murderer of Alī, may Allah be pleased with him.

He was a Kharijite and a fabricator of falsehood. Ibn Yunus mentioned him in his History of Egypt, saying: “He witnessed the conquest of Egypt and was allocated a settlement overthere alongside the notables. He was among those who studied the Qur’an and Islamic jurisprudence. He was from Banū Tadūl and was their foremost horseman in Egypt. He learned the Qur’an from Mu’adh ibn Jabal, may Allah be pleased with him, and was known for his devotion to worship.

It is said that he was the one who sent Ṣabīgh al-Tamīmī to Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, who asked him about the unclear verses of the Qur’an that should be referred back to the clear ones for explanation.

It is said that Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, wrote to Amr ibn al-Aas, may Allah be pleased with him, to relocate Abdur Rahman ibn Muljam close to the mosque so that he may teach the people the Qur’an and Islamic jurisprudence. So, the area allocated for his residence was enlarged and he used to be next to the house of Abdur Rahman ibn Udays al-Balawi—that is, one of those who helped initiate the murder of Uthman ibn Affan, may Allah be pleased with him.

Ibn Muljam was one of the supporters of Ali ibn Abi Talib (in the beginning), may Allah be pleased with him, in Kufa. He went to him and fought alongside him at the Battle of Siffin. I (the author- Adh-Dhahabi) say: “Then the divine decree overtook him, and he did what he did (i.e. murdered Ali)”. [1]

A Reminder to Those Who Object When Mistakes of Prominent People Are Corrected

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Criticising mistakes and Bidʿah, while at the same time openly expressing respect for the people of the Sunnah and affirming that a scholar who performs ijtihād receives two rewards if he is correct and one reward if he is mistaken, this is what we practice (as part of the religion) with regards to our criticism of the people of the Sunnah, but not in the same manner regarding ahlul bidah. [2]

A Reminder to Those Who Cling to Past Recommendations and Ignore Present Realities

[1] Siyar A’lam An-Nubula 28/287
[2] Juhud Al-Allamah Rabee Al-Mad’khali Fee Nadq Shubuhat Al-Hizbiyyeen 103-104