Ayyub said (1): It was suggested to Ibn al-Ashʿath, “If you would like men to be cut down around you as they were around ʿAʾisha’s howdah on the Day of the Camel, then take al-Hasan out with you.” So he brought al-Hasan forth.
Among the people of Kufa who joined him were: Saʿid ibn Jubayr, ʿAbd al-Rahman ibn Abi Layla, ʿAbd Allah ibn Shaddad, al-Shaʿbi, Abu ʿUbaydah ibn ʿAbd Allah ibn Masʿud, al-Maʿrur ibn Suwayd, Muhammad ibn Saʿd ibn Abi Waqqas, Abu al-Bakhtari, Talhah ibn Musarrif, Zubayd (2) ibn al-Harith al-Yami, and ʿAtaʾ ibn al-Saʾib.
Ayyub also remarked: “Every one of them who was struck down alongside Ibn al-Ashʿath was envied for the manner of his death, and everyone who escaped praised Allah for preserving him.”
[Among the notable figures whom al-Hajjaj put to death were:
• ʿImran ibn ʿIsam al-Dubʿi (3), the father of Abu Jamrah. A scholar of Basra, righteous and devout, he was brought to al-Hajjaj in chains. Al-Hajjaj said to him, “Attest against yourself that you have disbelieved and I will release you.” He replied, “By Allah, since the day I believed I have never disbelieved in Allah.” Al-Hajjaj thereupon ordered his execution and his head was struck off.
• ʿAbd al-Rahman ibn Abi Layla (4). He transmitted hadith from a number of Companions, and his father Abu Layla was himself a Companion. ʿAbd al-Rahman had learned the Qurʾan from ʿAli ibn Abi Talib. He joined Ibn al-Ashʿath’s rising, was captured, and brought before al-Hajjaj, who beheaded him in his presence while he stood firm (5).]
[Then came the year 84 AH.]
Al-Waqidi said: In that year ʿAbd Allah ibn ʿAbd al-Malik ibn Marwan captured al-Misisah (6).