'Annals of 'Omān' [‎14] (31/112)

14
Annals of 1 Oman.
the Truth, and a portion of the Musalmans rose up in defence of God's
Truth, and overthrew the power of those tyrants. Insomuch as the learn
ed Sheykhs of the people of 'Oman assembled at Nezwa under the guidance
of Musa-bin Abu-Jabir el-Azkam, and desired the Imamate to be conferred
on Mohammed-ibn Abu-'Aifan.
Now amongst those present were certain chiefs who did not favour the
change; and the Sheykh Musa fearing the purpose of the Musalmans
might be frustrated and strife ensue, said, "We have elected the son of
"Abu-'Affau to govern Nezwa and the towns of el-Jowf; and I fancy he
" added until war ceases."
T he I ma'm M ohammed-bin A bu-' A ffa'k .—And the Sheykh Abul-
Manthar Bushir-bin el-Manthar remarked, " We expected to see what would
please us, but we have seen what disgusts us." Musa rejoined, " We have
done what you wish," but his object was to separate them, lest strife
should arise. When the refractory chiefs returned to their respective dis
tricts, the Sheykh wrote letters deposing them, and sent governors to the
various towns. I imagine they were deposed before the arrival of the new
Governors. Mohammed-bin Abu-'Affan then remained in the camp, and
behaved in such a manner as to displease the Musalmans. It has reached
me that what revolted them was his tyranny towards the Musalmans, and
his rejection of good advice. However that be, they devised a stratagem
by means of which they effected his expulsion from the camp of Nezwa;
after which they held a meeting and deposed Mohammed and elected ano
ther Imam. Mohammed had been Imam for two years and one month.
T he I mam E l -W a'eith-bin K a'b .—Their choice fell on El -Warith-
bin Ka'b el-Kharusi el-Shari 1 ' el-\ahmadi el-Azdi, who became Imam in
the year 177 A. H. [A. D. 783.] El -Warith revived the ancient virtues of
the Musalmans, and treading the paths of rectitude, honored the Truth and
her followers. He repressed infidelity, and thus God vouchsafed the fall
of the oppressors.
In his time, Harun el-Rashid sent [against 'Oman] 'Isa-bin Ja'far-bin
Abul-Mansur with a force of 1,000 cavalry and 5,000 infantry. Daud-
bin \azid el-Mahallabi wrote to the Imam Waiith informing him of the
arrival of 'Isa with his army, whereupon the Imam sent Faris-bin Moham
med against him. The opposing forces encountered one another at Hatta, 16
and 'Isa-bin Ja'fer was defeated and forced to fly to his ships and put to sea.
Abu-Hamid-bin Feleh el-Haddani el-Saluni followed him up, accompanied
by 'Amru-bin 'Omar with three ships, and succeeded in capturing Tsa, who
was taken to Sohar and there imprisoned. The Imam consulted the Sheykh
Ah-bin 'Azrah concerning him, and he replied : " It rests with you whether
to put him to death or to spai'e him." The Imam refrained from putting
him to death and kept him imprisoned. I have heard that a party of Mu-