EBU MUSLIM-I HORASANI            

       
       Ebu Muslim Horasani is one of the great heroes in Turkish history. He is a hero who opened a new era in the history of Oghuz Turkmens. Umayyads began to threat the freedom and independence of Oghuz Turkmens who resisted the raids of Chinese for centuries. Umayyads, going further, looted and invaded Turkish regions. Oghuzes, not being able to stand such pain of captivity found a big hero among them, Horasanlı Ebu Müslim. Ebu Müslim, who opened the revolution flag against the invaders, started national fight. He defeated Umayyad armies and opened a new era in Islam history. He ended Umayyad sultanate and founded Abbasi state.

 

       We have only short information in our national history about the life of this hero. But Ebu Müslim-i Horasani lived as an epic in the national conscience of the Turks for centuries. His life full of bloody struggles is known by the people, but enough of documents explaining his life are not found yet. The adventurous life of this national hero starts as follows: One day, when Umayyads invaded Turkish provinces, three Turkish leaders of Horasan provinces were chained; and being taken on foot among Umayyad guards... Mahvan village people, following this captive convoy, are crying and shouting for the lions whose hands are tied from back... Umayyad soldiers on purebred Arabic horses with turbans are taking these three criminals (!) to the Umayyad ruler in Damascus... one of the three convicts was an Oghuz Bey named Usman. The people called him Muslim. Muslim's father was the leader of a big Turkmen clan. This hero was drawn in Ceyhun river returning from a bloody war he was defeated against Chinese in Tashkent. The family of this leader had settled down in Mahvan village near Merv city by leaving their countries. The Turkmen clan was leaded by Muslim. Upon invasion of this region by Umayyads, Muslim started to fight against them. At last, he was taken prisoner by Umayyads.

 

       This was the Turkmen leader Umayyads were taking to Damascus being chained. Muslim had a girl he loved. This girl went crazy when her lover was chained. Because she loved Muslim very much. She followed the convoy on foot. She succeeded to save her lover Muslim by giving the monies and jewels she brought with her to Umayyad soldiers fond of earthly property.

 

       Muslim escaped to Azerbaijan with his lover. He hid in the house of his relative named Isa bin Makal there. Muslim married this self-sacrificing girl. Some time later, Muslim decided to go to Horasan. He left his wife to his relative in Kayik village and departed for Horasan. Months passed without news from Muslim. His wife gave birth to a son in these times. She named him Abdurrahman. This is the child, the son of Muslim, Ebu Muslim-i Horasan who gained great reputation in Turkish history.

 

       Abdurrahman Ebu Muslim was born in Kayık village of Azerbaijan in 722 A.C. and 100 after hegira. Ebu Muslim's father did not return to his home again. He was arrested and executed by Umayyad governor Yezit bin Mehlep. Days passed. Ebu Muslim became a strong youth. Everyone understood that he was going to be a great man because of his stouthearted behaviors. One day he asked his father to his mother. His mother answered: "Your father is killed by the enemies enslaving Turkish provinces!".

 

       Then he passed the most precious souvenir of the family, Oğuzname to his son. Ebu Muslim read this epic carefully. This is the book which made Ebu Muslim a national hero. After some time, he lost his dear mother too. Young Ebu Muslim, bid farewell to his stepfather and turned back to Horasan, his ancestor's country. There he was protected by Ahis and worked as a worker for a saddler. Ebu Muslim got curious to see the country of Umayyads enslaving Turks. But since he was a poor worker, he did not find the opportunity to go to such faraway places. One day he had an opportunity. Many hadjis were going to Mecca from Horasan.

 

       He was able to join this convoy by begging Suleyman bin Kişim, one of the friends of his father. After the long journey, the hadjis convoy went to Mecca. One day they went to visit Mehmet bin Ali bin Abdullah bin Abbas, one of the grandchildren of Prophet Mohammed. Ebu Muslim was one of the visitors. The brave youth drew the attention of Mehmet bin Ali. He asked whom he was. They told. Mehmet bin Ali, staring at Ebu Müslum: This young man will be the hero of the year. He will open a black flag and gather a big army, destroy Umayyad sultanate demonstrating Mohammed generation, and make the generation of Rasul lead. My advice to you is that whenever this youth rebels, help him. If death wind makes me fall down, I have a son named Ebul Abbas. Gather around him!.

 

       Hadjis turned back to their countries after their pilgrimage. However, the idea of saving Turkish provinces from being enslaved and taking revenge from those persecuting the generation of Prophet Mohammed emerged in Ebu Muslim's spirit. Imam Ibrahim, a person from Former Caliph Omar's generation helped him a lot.