An interesting incident highlights the lengths Muslims have gone to, to avoid a death without an Imam.
Abdullah Ibn Umar and Hajjaj Ibn Yusuf
Abdullah Ibn Umar willingly goes to Hajjaj Ibn Yusuf al-Thaqafi (the bloodthirsty governor of Abdul Malik Ibn Marwan) and beseeches him:
‘O chief – extend your hand so that I may pledge allegiance to you on behalf of Ameerul Momineen Abdul Malik Ibn Marwan.
Hajjaj Ibn Yusuf: What has made you undertake this exercise O Aba Abdil Rahman, after delaying it all this while?
Abdullah Ibn Umar: I have undertaken it based on the tradition narrated to me wherein the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said: One who dies without the pledge of an Imam on his neck dies an ignorant death (death of apostasy, disbelief, hypocrisy).
Hajjaj retorts: Till yesterday, you avoided the allegiance to Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) although you were aware of this tradition. Now you come to me so that I accept your allegiance on behalf of Abdul Malik. As for my hands, they are occupied, but here is my leg, you may pledge allegiance on it!’
- Al-Mustarshid p 178
- Al-Fusool al-Mukhtarah p 245