Prophecy of Imam Ali (a.s.) regarding

Marwan bin Hakam, according to ‘Nihayatul Arab’

It is mentioned in ‘Nihayatul Arab’ that: Marwan had not seen the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.) because he was an infant when he went along with his father to Taif on exile, and returned to Medina during the rule of Othman with his father. When his father died, Othman kept him as his official writer, and Marwan dominated the thoughts and decisions of Othman to such an extent that it became the cause of all the revolts and uprisings which ended at the murder of Othman.

Ibn e Abdul Birr narrates in the book ‘Al Istee’aab’[1]: Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.) went to Marwan one day and said:

“Woe upon you! And woe upon the nation of Mohammad (p.b.u.h.) from you and your sons at a time when forces are available for you”.

Marwan was called ‘Khait e Batil’ as he suffered a strike on the back of his neck on the day of dispute in Othman’s house, due to which he collapsed facing the ground.

His brother Abdur Rahman bin Hakam, who did not have the same faith as him and was a witty poet, wrote the following lines for him:

“By God, I don’t know but I wish to ask the wife of the person who was struck at the back of his neck about what he is doing? May got destruct the nation which appointed this withered rope as the people’s Amir, who donates to whom he wishes and deprives from whom he wills”.

It is said that when this poetry was written by Marwan’s brother when he was appointed as the governor of Medina by Mu’awiyah, and he used to humiliate Marwan excessively.[2]