'Annals of 'Omān' [‎80] (97/112)

80
Annals of 1, Oman.
assisted by the Julandaites 'Abd and .Teifar and other Azdites, succeeded in quelling the
rebellion. In a great battle fought at Daba (vide note 3), ten thousand rebels fell, and
many were carried into captivity. It is stated that 'Othman-bin Abu 1-A'si was appointed
governor of 'Oman and el-Bahrain by Abu-Bekr, and that he defeated and slew a Persian
commander named Zohrak at Towwaj. In Mr. Badger's Introduction to the 'Imams and
Sayyids of 'Oman/ when these events are summarized, it is stated that 'Othman was
appointed by 'Omar (the successor of Abu-Bekr). For incidental notices of the history
of 'Oman at this period many Arabian authors may be consulted, amongst them Nawawi,
Ibu-Sa'd, Ibn-Koteiba, Beladzon, Abu-Ja'far's Tarikh-el Muluk.
5 (p. 10.) The Nizariyeh as opposed to the Yemenites. For explanation of the
term vide Note 57 to Book I.
6 (p. 11.) The Desert Country. It may also be read " within three days' march"
of " el-Balka'ah." The latter word, however, means waste, uninhabited land. Probably
the country west of Bereymf is meant.
7 (p. 11.) Maskat. In this part of the " Keshf ul-Ghummeh" the name is spelt
whilst in later books it is spelt (maskad).
8 (p. 11.) Julfar. The Persian name for the town on the site of the modem Eas-
el-Kheimah.
9 (p. 11.) Zenj. The inhabitants of the East African Coast. Mr. Badger thinks this
the most reliable record we possess of the first emigration of Arabs of 'Oman to the east
coast of Africa.
1 o (p. 12.) This appointment of a native of 'Oman to the governorship appears to
have led to the assertion of independence soon after.
(p. 12.) The Ibadhiyeh. This is the first mention of the remarkable Ibadlu sect,
which has from this time forward exercised so powerful an influence in 'Oman, and which
appears already at this early period to have become predominant there. The sect takes
its name from 'Abdullah-bin Ibadh, who flourished according to the author of the " Keshf-
ul-Ghummeh" about A. D. 685-705, but, according to the other works quoted by Badger,
A I). 711-719. The sect is undoubtedly an off-shoot of the Kharijite schism. In the
year 657 A. D., a large number of the Caliph 'Ah's followers revolted from him, and these
received the appellation of " Khawarij," i. e. schismatics, or heretics, who went forth from
the true faith. In the following year, the Kharijites to the number of 4000 were at
tacked and cut to pieces by 'All. Nine only escaped, of whom two reached 'Oman, where
they became apparently successful propagandists of the Kharijite doctrines, the most im
portant perhaps of which consisted in the positive rejection of the Caliphs or Imams
'Othman and 'AH, and the assertion of the right to elect and depose their Imams. In
this and other fundamental points 'Abdullah-bin Ibadh simply followed the Kharijites. It
seems probable that the people of 'Oman were imbued with these views before the time of
'Abdullah-bin Ibadh, and were thus prepared beforehand to accept his teaching. In what
manner the latter was propagated does not appear. The Ibadhi doctrine as to the Imams
may be roughly contrasted with that of the Sunnites and Shl'ahs as follows :
1. Sunnites accept the four successors of the prophet as true Khahfehs, or Imams,
and the generally acknowledged representatives known to the present day, when they re
cognize the Sultan of Turkey as head of the orthodox.
2. SM'ahs absolutely reject all claims to the Imamate other than those of 'AK and
his descendants. At the present time they acknowledge no visible Imam.
3. IbddMs reject 'Othman and 'All and curse them as infidels. They assert the
right of true believing Muslims (themselves that is) to elect their Imams, and to depose
them for transgressions. The persons successively elected to their Imams by the Ibadhis