What is the story behind the saying "Iraq is a people of discord and hypocrisy", attributed to Ali ibn Abi Talib, and was it linked to a particular incident?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Oct 24, 2026
The statement mentioned is not known to have been uttered by Ali ibn Abi Talib. Rather, Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf made a similar statement to the people of Iraq when he arrived as their governor, describing them as people of discord, hypocrisy, and bad manners. Al-Hajjaj was a tyrant and a shedder of blood, and his description of the people of Iraq as hypocrites does not mean that they were so, as Iraq was home to many Companions and great scholars.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Original fatwa ID
- 34042
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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