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Mohammad-Ali E. from Isfahan

LONDON, (CAIS) -- The tomb of Firuzan commonly known as Emāmādeh Abu-lolo (or Abu Lulu)  in Kashahn, Isfahan province is being locked to visitors, it is announced there is a plan the shrine to be destroyed by the order of the Islamic Regime.

A large crowd of Iranians however, have gathered outside the governor's office on Tuesday, June 26^th, to voice their objection regarding the closure and possible destruction of the Iranian heritage, and a shrine which was one of the symbols of Iranian resistance against the Arab invaders in 7^th century CE, and to some, a Shia and a revered Sufi.

Umar al-Khattab, the second Moslem Caliph was put to death by Firuzan in 645 CE. It is said that Firuzan was a POW captured after the fall of Ctesiphon in what is today known as Iraq, and sold as a slave. A parvenu Arab leader called Mughira ibn Shu’ba bought him and took him to Medina in Arabia for slavery work.

Most probably Firuzan was a Zoroastrian (by some accounts he was a priest), as the majority of Iranian were at the time of Arab occupation of Iran in 7^th century.

“His [Firuzan] action was in response to atrocities that were committed by Arab-Muslim invaders in Iran, which resulted in massacre, rape, looting of our country – we Iranians never forgot nor forgive their crimes against us”, said one of the protestors.

Some Arab, as well as committed Muslim historians, in order to undermine Firuzan’s bravery and heroism have claimed (ultimately all derived from Ibn Shihab account) that he murdered Umar after an argument over the tax levy.

During the Safavid era and the rise of Shia Islam to power, the dynasty named him Bābā Shojā ul-Din (the one who is brave in the cause of religion) and claimed that he was a devout Shia and a martyr.

Another angry protester said: "they say he is not buried here - or some say he wasn't Muslim at all - so what? - as far as we concern this edifice represents him, our faith and resistance against the uncivilised invaders" - and another one added: "if Abu Lolo was an Arab, they would have erect a golden dome on top of his shrine, rather than destroying it - but no, no - they destroy his shrine, just because he was an Iranian - a noble Iranian - this is an insult to Iranian nation".

Mohammad Salim Al'awa, the Secretary-General of the International Union for Muslim Scholars (IUMS), who believes God have "created women for pregnancy and childbirth" purposes speaking to Al-Arabiat New-agency said: "the request for its destruction was delivered to Iran by a group of Arab representatives a few months ago, after the Doha assembly at the beginning of the year. At the assembly a large number of Sunni scholars asked Iran for the total destruction of the tomb".

"Imagine the Germans asking Britain to destroy the graves of the brains behind the British plan to kill Hitler [Operation Foxley] during WWII, sine it is considered an insult to Protestants - would the British accept that? - the murder of Omar by Firuz[an] wasn't to do with religion, it was simply removing a despot and a tyrant from the face of the earth - as the British wanted to do the same with Hitler", said N. one of the protestors outside the governor's office in Kashan.

Firuzan mausoleum located on the road from Kashan to Fins, constructed in an eleventh century distinctive Persian-Khwarezmian dynastic architectural style, consisted of a courtyard, porch and conical dome decorated with turquoise coloured tiles, and painted ceilings. The Original date of it's construction is unknown, but in second-half of fourteen century it was fully restored and a new tombstone was placed over his grave.

Piruz-e Hamadani (Firuzan), The Persian Hero

(Added: October 13, 2010)

Piruz (according to some sources Piruz-e Nahavandi, Arabiced Firuzan alias Abu Lulu) was born in Persia of a royal lineage, who despite his young age was a high ranking officer and a Zoroastrian priest. Apart from his superb military skills, Piruz was also an able carpenter and painter. 

After the battle of Nahavand (February 14, 642 CE) the majority of people of Nahavand and nearby city Hamadan were massacred by Arab-Muslims, cities and villages were pillaged, women and children were raped and many were taken captive and subsequently sold into slavery, including Piruz.

It is recorded once Piruz saw Iranian children abused by Arab-owners he said: "You have been enslaved at such a tender age. This Umar sees [this is] eaten my heart, I will take his heart out."

Piruz in revenge of the massacre of Nahavand and witnessing the Arabs' savagery committed against the Iranians, particularly women and children planned the execution of Umar and few other Arab leaders including 'Alī ibn Abī Tālib.

At that time Muslims did not permit non-Arab adult captives to reside in Madina, therefore, Piruz hired himself out as a carpenter and paid two dirhams a day to Mughira ibn Shu'ba, the governor of Basra to act as his owner. 

Following his plan, Piruz ordered Mughirah to sell him to Umar as a slave in order to reside in Median where he was able to plan and execute his assassination plan.

One controversial story which is largely accepted by Muslims (deriving from Ibn Shihab and Ibn Sa'd in his Tabaqat) goes:

"Abu Lu'lu'ah felt that he had to give too much of his wages to his owner. He approached Umar, the caliph, and begged for relief, saying the taxes [Mughira] are levying on me are more than I can bear." Mughira, as a Muslim, was subject to Umar; surely Umar could enforce justice.

However, Umar, after questioning him about how much his income was in proportion to the tax that Mughira was demanding from him (according to Ábu Huwayrith), told Abu Lu'lu'ah that he was such a skilled workman that he was sure to make a good wages; there was no need to reduce his obligation to his owner. The slave was enraged at the reply and swore vengeance. [Ibn Sa'd adds: So in his robe he wrapped his two-headed dagger, the grip of which was in the middle, and hid himself in a corner of the Medina mosque.]

On the 6th day of November 644 CE (26th Dhu I-Hijja 23 AH) at the time of the morning prayer, Piruz gallantly went with his dagger to the mosque and leaped upon and stabbed Umar six times. In the process of escaping the scene he brought down a further 11 enemies besides 'Umar. Piruz fled Arabia and took refuge in the central Iranian city of Kashan, where seven years later in 23rd day of August 651 CE (26th Dhu I-Hijja 30 AH) on the same day that he executed Umar, Piruz was assassinated and buried in Kashan. It is believed the shrine was erected during the Persianate dynasty, the Khwarezm-Shaian (1077 to 1231). The vassal-kings of the Khwarezmid dynasty despite being Sunni-Muslims and of non-Iranian origin, were Persian nationalists and in quest to revive the pre-Islamic Iranian culture and heritage.

Currently some people in Iran residing in Kashan and Aran-Bidgol believe that they are descendants of the great freedom-fighter.

It is believed he planed the execution of Umar with the Persian General Hurmozan. The plan was to execute all the Arab soldiers who were involved in the Nahavand Massacre, including Ali ibn Talib and his son Hussain. According to some, a former Roman Official named Jafeena who also swore revenge assisted them.

Piruz though is respected by Iranians, majority of the nationalists but is hated by non-Iranian Muslims. During the Safavid dynasty his memory was honored and given the title "Bābā Šojā od-Dīn" (the father of the brave in the cause of religion) despite being a Zoroastrian.

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