Hani ibn Urwa

Who is Hani ibn Urwa?

Ibn Ziyad summoned a retainer, Ma'qil, who he tasked to act a spy and pretend he was a Shi'a in order to locate the whereabouts of Muslim ibn Aqeel. With 3,000 dirhams in his hand and by falsely convincing Muslim ibn Awsaja al-Asadi of his sincerity, Ma'qil was invited into the presence of Muslim ibn Aqeel where he began to collect information, which he regularly reported to Ibn Ziyad. Muslim's host, Hani ibn Urwa, began fearing for himself and stopped attending the Majlis of the new governor by saying that he was sick. However, it was reported to Ibn Ziyad that Hani was seen sitting in the doorway of his house every evening and thus he was aggressively called to the presence of the new governor.

A violent argument occurred between Hani ibn Urwa and Ibn Ziyad produced his spy, Ma'qil, and said: "Do you know this man?" Hani replied, "Yes", as he realized that man had acted as an informant of all their information and brought it to Ibn Ziyad. Hani offered to release Muslim ibn Aqeel from his protection so as he may leave his house, but Ibn Ziyad retorted, "You will never leave me unless you bring him!" At which Hani replied, "No, by God, I will not bring him to you." Hani continued, "By God, indeed there would be shame and disgrace for me were I to hand over one who has come under my protection and is my guest, while I am still alive and sound. I can hear; I see well; I have a strong arm and many helpers. By God, if I was the only one without any helper, I would not hand him over until I had died on his behalf". Ibn Ziyad said, "Bring him to me or I will have your head cut off", and then he began to strike at Hani's face with his cane until he had broken his nose and blood and flesh sprinkled his beard. They then threw him into one of the rooms and locked the door.