Hazrat Firouz Dilami, May Allah be Pleased with Him, (Part 14)
Qays Makshuh’s Involvement in the Murder of Aswad Ansi with Hazrat Firoz
As discussed previously, Qays bin Abdi Ghous Makshuh was a man driven by a deep grudge against Aswad Ansi. Despite serving as Ansi’s general, Qays harbored ambitions of rising further in rank and seizing power from Aswad Ansi to gain additional privileges.
Imam Ibn Asaker Dameshqi, may Allah have mercy on him, writes in his historical account: «وذلك أن قيسا سمع المهاجر يخبرهم أن رسولالله صلىاللهعليهوسلم قال للمسلمين «إنكم ستقتلون الأسود» فطمع قيس في قتله وقد قتل أخاه عمر بن عبديغوث وأقبلوا ثلاثتهم قيس وفيروز وداذويه حتى انتهوا إلى الباب فقالوا: أينا يكفي الباب لا يدخل علينا أحد؟ فقال داذويه: أنا أكفيكم الباب. فكان أشد ثغورهم، فلما دخلا على الرجل قال فيروز لقيس: إن شئت أن تجثم على صدره وأضربه وإن شئت أن أجثم على صدره وتضربه.» Translation: “The primary reason for Qays bin Abdi Ghous’s enthusiasm and determination to kill Aswad Ansi was the words of Muhajir Ibn Rabi’, who conveyed a prophecy from the Holy Prophet, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him, saying to the Muslims of Yemen: ‘You will certainly kill Aswad.’”
Additionally, Aswad Ansi had previously killed Qays’s brother, further intensifying Qays’s resolve to seek revenge and eliminate him.
After that, Qays, Firouz, and Dazwieh went to Aswad’s house and reached the gate of the palace. Then all three men asked each other, “Which one of us will be the guard and not let anyone else enter the house?” Dazwieh said, “I will be in charge of guarding the gate” (this gate was the most difficult part of the palace). After Firouz and Qays entered the house, Firouz said to Qays, “If you want, you can sit on Aswad’s chest while I beat him. Or, if you prefer, I will sit on his chest so you can beat him.”
In short, Firouz first killed Aswad Ansi and then sat on his chest, while Qays beheaded him and took his head to Muhajir Ibn Rabi so that everyone would know that Aswad had passed away. But was Qays a Muslim and a Sahabi at that time or not? Exact information is not available. In this regard, Imam Ibn Athir writes: «قال ابن الكلبي: قيس بن المكشوح، واسمه هبيرة بن عبديغوث. قيل: له صحبة، وقيل: لا صحبة له باللقاء والرؤية. وهو الذي أعان على قتل الأسود العنسي مع فيروز، فقتله الأسود يدل على إسلامه في حياة رسولالله صلىاللهعليهوسلم.» Translation: “Imam Kalbi states about Qays bin Abdi Ghous that his name was Habira bin Abdi Ghous. It has been said that he was not a Sahabi and entered Islam after the time of the Prophet. He cooperated with Firouz in the murder of Aswad Ansi. However, it is known that he eventually embraced Islam during the blessed life of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.”
Imam Ibn ‘Abdulber, may Allah bless him, also mentioned this: «قَتلُه الأسودَ العنسيَّ يدل على أن إسلامه كَانَ فِي مرض النَّبِيّ صَلَّىاللَّهُعَلَيْهِوَسَلَّمَ، ثُمَّ قتل قيس بن مكشوح و رحمه الله بصفين مع علي رَضِيَاللَّهُعَنْهُ.» Translation: “The killing of Aswad Ansi shows that Qays bin Abdi Ghous had embraced Islam before the death of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.” He was martyred in the Battle of Safin, along with Hazrat Ali, may Allah be pleased with him.”
From these two narrations, it is clear that Qays bin Abdighouth was a Muslim when he killed Aswad and that he was a partner in this act along with Firouz Daylami. However, the privilege of this great act belonged to Firouz, after which Qays joined in.
