Of Wars and Victories

The fitnat of Dajjal

Imam Mansur (SA) had a dream in which he was presented with a large sheet of paper with several circles drawn on it. "What are these?" he asked. "It is your kingdom," came the reply. In front of his eyes, the circles began to turn dark and black, until they were all dark save for the one closest to him. "This does not forebode well", he said upon seeing this. "Place your finger upon each circle," he was told. As the Imam(SA) placed his finger on each one the darkness upon it lifted, until they all returned to the way they were. This was the way events unfolded, for the Imam(SA) did not leave a corner of his land uncovered in his quest for the evil Dajjal, until he and his villainy were purged from the Kingdom.

Laeen Abu Yazid Mikhlad bin Kedad, also known as Dajjal was a Kharijite and an avowed enemy of the Fatemi Imams. He at first succeeded in turning some of the Berber tribes of the land to his cause during the reign of Imam Qaim (SA). He terrorized the kingdom, launching an all out revolt against the Fatimiyyin in 332H. He conquered many important towns, including Qairawan and reached all the way to Mehdiyyah, where Imam Qaim (SA) was. Here, he reached upto a certain point and could go no further, for this was the 'musalla' where the arrow of Imam Mehdi (SA) reached, earmarking the furthest advance of Dajjal. Imam Mehdi(SA) had prophesized that Dajjal would be unable to advance further than where his arrow had landed.

Abu Yazid laid siege to the town camping outside the mighty walls of Mehdiyya. The capital had been well stocked with reserves of food by the Imam (SA), and the morale was high, helping the inhabitants withstand the siege. The enemy finally withdrew to Susa.

Imam Mansur (SA) ascended to the arsh of Imamat upon the wafat of Imam Qaim (SA). The passing away of the Imam was kept secret from all including family members, due to the critical situation. Imam Mansur (SA) himself set forth to free the land of the Khariji menace Dajjal. He routed him soundly in Susa and drove him back to Qairawan and further. The Imam (SA) was warmly received by the people of Qairawan who had suffered greatly at the hands of Dajjal. The Imam (SA) personally gave chase, engaging with Dajjaal in several battles. During one engagement the Imam was left all alone save for twenty five men. The sentry who held up the parasol for the Imam (SA) closed it in fear of pinpointing the location of the Imam(SA) to the enemy. Mansur Imam (SA) commanded him to reopen the parasol, he recited the Takbira and launched a massive attack scattering the enemy left and right.

Abu Yazid and his army was finally defeated in Moharram 336H in the mountains where they had entrenched themselves in the fortress of Kiyana. Dajjal was taken prisoner and brought before the Imam (SA). The Imam (SA) informed him, "Your fate will be worse than death, for I will keep you alive to see the glory of Aale Mohammad (SA) so that you may burn with envy". He was pensioned and kept by the state. When he died he was stuffed like an animal and kept in a cage with monkeys. His cage was taken from town to town so that the people that he had tortured and tormented could see his end, and rejoice that they had been freed of this evil scourge at the hands of Imam Mansur (SA).

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