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Kufa Azim Nanji After the defeat of the Iranian Sasanian dynasty in 637-638 CE, the conquering Muslim army occupied Iraq and established on the banks of the Euphrates a garrison town called Kufa. The new province would henceforth be ruled from this newly founded settlement. In time, it grew into a major administrative capital that had a mosque, a governors palace, markets, and accommodation for a growing population of soldiers and immigrants. As the diverse population of Kufa that included various Arab groups as well as converts of Iranian origin increased, it also grew as a centre of learning, attracting scholars and also becoming a commercial centre for trade and agriculture. The expansion of the economy of the growing Muslim state and the rise of a cosmopolitan Muslim community were largely under the control and direction of the caliph in Medina. Under Caliph Uthman (r. 644-656 CE), growing differences and an increasing pattern of decentralisation of authority often caused conflicts with regard to official appointments and the distribution of land and wealth, mirroring emerging tensions within the Muslim community based in Medina. Opposition to Uthmans policies, emanating from Kufa, erupted into conflict and resulted in his assassination, throwing the young Muslim community into turmoil. Imam Ali, the prophets cousin and son-in-law, whom many regarded as the originally designated successor to the Prophet, received majority support and became the new caliph. He shifted his headquarters to Kufa, effectively making it the new centre of authority. He was opposed by several leaders in Medina who were supported by the Prophets wife Aisha. He was forced to put down the revolt, but he faced a more serious challenge from the governor of Syria, Muawiyah, an appointee as well as a close relative of Uthman who was putting pressure on Imam Ali to execute those he held to be responsible for the murder. These divisive events are recorded by Muslim historians as fitna (civil disorder), and Imam Ali eventually found himself having to confront Muawiyah in battle as the governors larger ambitions for power became apparent. After attempts were made to prevent bloodshed, hostilities were ended, and arbitration was agreed upon. However, emotions ran high on the part of some of Imam Alis followers who were adamantly opposed to Muawiyah and to arbitration, and the group seceded, turning its wrath on both armies. One of the secessionists murdered Imam Ali while he was at prayer in the mosque in Kufa in 661 CE. After Imam Alis death, Muawiyah succeeded in gaining power and, eventually, control of many of the new Muslim dominions, and he imposed his authority in all regions. He appointed a new governor for the region that included Kufa, who was ordered to institute public cursing of Imam Alis name during the Friday prayers in the mosque of Kufa, and to brutally suppress all partisan
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support in favour of Imam Ali. During the Ummayad period up to 751 CE and later under the Abbasids, Kufa had evolved into a major city, particularly as the, Abbasids made it their headquarters while awaiting the construction of Baghdad, their new capital. As other towns and cities developed and the focus of trade and political power shifted to other regions, Kufa declined in importance. However, as a centre of Shii influence and scholarship and as the city closest to Najaf, where a mausoleum was erected over Imam Alis grave, Kufa continued to be influential as a centre of learning and Shii activity throughout the period of later Muslim history. In particular, Kufa became well known as a centre for Arabic literature, language, and grammar. It gave birth to a new Arabic script called Kufic, and it continued to attract important scholars, jurists, historians, and poets. In addition, it remains to this day a major site for visits and remembrance, including to the grave of Muslim b. Aqil, a cousin of Imam Husayn who was executed by the Ummayads for supporting the Alid cause. In modern times, Kufa has continued to be a cultural and religious centre, and a home to various scholars and centres of Shii learning and scholarship. Further Reading Djait, Hickem. Kufa, Naissance de la Ville Islamique. Paris: Maissoneuve, 1986. Morony, Michael G. Iraq After the Muslim Conquest. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1984. Zaman, Muhammad Qasim. Religion and Politics Under the Early Abbasids. Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1997.
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