Beautiful Egypt 132 – «Squeeze to the Last Drop!» – November 22, 2015

   In the previous article we spoke of Caliph al-Walid bin Abdul Malik and his brother Soliman bin Abdul Malik, as well as two of Egypt’s proconsuls during their tenure, namely, Abdullah bin Abdul Malik bin Marawan and Qurrah bin Shurayk. Both proconsuls gave Egyptians, especially Copts, a hard time. Also, during his illness, Caliph Soliman bin Abdul Malik named Omar bin Abdul Aziz his successor.

   Meanwhile, we shall resume talking about the tenure of Omar bin Abdul Aziz, Yazid bin Abdul Malik and Hisham bin Abdul Malik who had assigned several proconsuls the affairs of Egypt: Abdul Malik bin Rifa’a al-Qini, Ussama bin Zayd al-Tinnukhi, Ayyub bin Shurahbil, Beshr bin Safwan who gave up the country’s affairs to his brother Handhalah bin Safwan, and Mohammed bin Abdul Malik.

Abdul Malik bin Rifa’a al-Qini (96-99 Hijri) (714-717 A.D.)

   Al-Walid bin Abdul Malik assigned him the affairs of Egypt, then died. He was succeeded by his brother Soliman who re-assigned Abdul Malik, appointing Ussamah bin Zayd tax collector.

Ussamah bin Zayd al-Tinnukhi (96-99 Hijri) (714-717 A.D.)

   Ussamah bin Zayd became Egypt’s tax collector in 96 Hijri. It is said that Caliph Soliman wrote him a letter, saying, “Squeeze the country’s resources to the last drop.” Thus, a great costliness alighted upon Egypt, causing many people’s death. Ussamah bin Zayd was terribly unjust, for he imposed huge taxes on them among which were ten dinars to be paid by whoever sails through the Nile in whichever direction. Here it is worthy to recount the following story: While a widow was traveling through the Nile with her son (having hardly afforded the expenses), her son tried to drink some water. So, a crocodile devoured him. Everybody saw this incident. The crossing ticket was in his pocket. When the widow reached her destination, the ticket seller refused to allow her pass. So, she told him her son’s story. But he refused all her pleas. In fact, he did not let her pass except after she had sold all her belongings to pay for the ticket.

   Likewise, Ussamah is said to have issued orders to the police to prohibit any person from traveling from one city to another without a permit, and confiscate his property. Ussamah built a Nilometer in al-Rhoda between Fustat and Giza. While Egyptians were suffering from Ussamah’s injustice, Caliph Soliman died. So, they remained patient, hoping he will be deposed by the forthcoming caliph.

   Ussamah also hated the Copts more than his predecessors. Having counted the monks, he prohibited people from monasticism. Likewise, he ordered each monk to wear an iron bangle in his left hand on which the names of his church, monastery and the Hijri date were written. This bangle was a token of paying taxes. Whoever disobeyed this order was severely punished, and sometimes executed. Also, he claimed one thousand dinars from each monk and closed churches down. He was deposed and imprisoned by Caliph Omar bin Abdul Aziz. So, he was imprisoned in Egypt for one year, then in Palestine for one year as well. Yet, after Omar’s death, Yazid bin Abdul Malik re-assigned Ussamah the affairs of Egypt.

Caliph Omar bin Abdul Aziz (99-101 Hijri) (717-720 A.D.)

   Omar bin Abdul Aziz took over after the death of Soliman bin Abdul Malik. Many historians speak of his justice. So much so that he was given the title of “fifth Rashidun”. Dr. Hassan Ibrahim Hassan maintains that Omar bin Abdul Aziz exempted non-Christians who converted to Islam from “jizya”. He reduced taxes from Muslims as well as Persian servants.

   It is easy to guess the results of this new policy: many people became Muslims. Also, Omar attracted the people of newly-conquered countries by all means; he even gave them money. Moreover, he exempted the church and bishops from agricultural land tax (kharaj). Yet, he prevented Copts from working in administration and government. Egyptians complained to him from Ussamah. So, he deposed him and appointed Ayyub bin Shurahbil.

Ayyub bin Shurahbil (99-101 Hijri) (717-720 A.D.)

   He was assigned Egypt’s affairs by Caliph Omar bin Abdul Aziz. He was fair, pious, and honest. So much so that Egyptians forgot their suffering during Ussamah’s tenure. During his tenure, conditions improved, and people were given a lot of things. When Omar bin Abdul Aziz died, Yazid bin Abdul Malik took over. But he left Ayyub in charge of Egypt till the latter’s death.

Caliph Yazid bin Abdul Malik (101-105 Hijri) (719-723 A.D.)

   Yazid was a reckless ruler. He was no good politician. This had a negative impact on Egypt as well as other provinces. Peace disappeared during his tenure. Also, he hated Copts very much. He ordered that crosses be destroyed and icons be pulled down from churches walls. Between 101-102 Hijri (720-721 A.D.), Caliph Yazid appointed Beshr bin Safwan al-Kalbi proconsul of Egypt, after which Beshr deputized his brother Handhalah, having been appointed proconsul of Morocco.

Handhalah bin Safwan (102-105 Hijri) (721-724 A.D.)

   He took over Egypt’s affairs after the caliph had appointed Beshr bin Safwan proconsul of Morocco. Al-Kindi maintains, “His brother Beshr deputized him, after which Yazid bin Abdul Malik assigned him Egypt’s affairs.” During his first term which lasted for three years, tumult shook Alexandria. Caliph Yazid ordered him to destroy the rest of Egypt’s idols, which he did.

Caliph Hisham bin Abdul Malik (105-125 Hijri) (723-744 A.D.)

   He became caliph after the death of his brother Yazid. His tenure lasted for about twenty years. He was a good administrator and politician. He cared for the State’s prosperity. Also, he was kind to the Copts, heeding Amr bin al-‘As’ pact with them after the conquest. He deposed Handhalah and appointed his brother Mohammed bin Abdul Malik in his stead.

Mohammed bin Abdul Malik bin Marawan (105 Hijri/724 A.D.)

   Having become proconsul, he came over to Egypt, yet only to find her plague-stricken. So, he fled to Upper Egypt where he spent about a month. Then, he went to Jordan and asked his brother to accept his resignation, so the latter approved. Al-Horr bin Yusuf took over. Al-Kindi asserts that when Mohammed took over Egypt’s affairs, he told his brother, “I am up to the responsibility. Yet, should you order me to do anything wrong, I shall quit. A month later, he asked him to do something he did not like. So, he resigned and headed to Jordan…” What a story! Stories never end in Beautiful Egypt.

General Bishop

Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center