-haired, dark-skinned, and bore on his face the scars of smallpox. The people exclaimed, “Is this Bedouin the one who has been given charge of the ummah?”
He entered through the Gate of Thomas, proceeded to the Little Gate, descended to Muʿāwiyah’s grave, paused over it while we formed rows behind him, and he pronounced the takbīr four times. A mule was then brought for him; he rode to the Green Palace (1). When the time for the noon prayer arrived, he came out after bathing and putting on clean clothes, led the prayer, mounted the pulpit, and addressed the congregation:
“My father used to send you on naval expeditions, but I will not put you on the sea. He used to quarter you for the winter in Byzantine lands, but I will not lodge Muslims in the territory of the enemy. He distributed the stipends in three installments, whereas I shall pay them to you in one lump sum.”
The people dispersed praising him.
ʿAmr ibn Qays relates that he heard Yazid say from the pulpit, “Allah does not punish the masses for the sin of one individual, unless an evil becomes manifest and is left uncorrected; then He takes all of them to task.”
It is said that Ibn Hammām rose and said, “May Allah reward you, Commander of the Faithful, for your bereavement, bless your generosity, and aid you with your flock. You have suffered a great loss and bestowed abundant gifts; therefore be patient and grateful, for you have become the shepherd of the ummah and Allah is your Guardian.”
Ziyād al-Hārithī narrated: “Yazid served me a drink the like of which I had never tasted. I said, ‘Commander of the Faithful, never have I drunk anything like this.’ He replied, ‘It is pomegranates of Ḥulwān, blended with the honey of Isfahan, the sugar of Ahwaz, the raisins of al-Ṭāʾif, and the water of Baradā.’”
Muḥammad ibn Aḥmad ibn Mismāʿ reported: “Yazid became drunk, began to dance, fell on his head, and it split open so that his brain was exposed.”
I say: He was strong, brave, intelligent, resolute, quick-witted, eloquent, and composed good poetry. Yet he was a nāṣibī (2)—harsh, hard-hearted, coarse, given to intoxicants, and prone to reprehensible deeds.