THIS is apropos of S. Qadri’s letter ‘Hazrat Abdullah Shah Ghazi’ (Nov 29). The writer has stated that Abdullah Shah Ghazi was a descendant of Imam Hussain and was a Sufi.

He has, however, failed to disclose the source material for the conclusion he has drawn. Tarikh al-Tabrari has a different story to narrate.

According to al-Tabrari, Abdullah Shah Ghazi was a great grandson of Imam Hassan. He was son of Muhammad b. Abdullah b. Muhammad b. Imam Hassan.

When Mansur Abbasi sent two separate expeditions, one to Madina and the other to Basra, to quell a revolt, Abdullah Shah Ghazi was then in Madina. Fearing for the safety of his son, Nafs Zakia directed him to go to Sindh.

Abbasside forces under the command of the governor’s brother pursued Abdullah Shah Ghazi, who was out hunting along the banks of the Indus. Abdullah Shah Ghazi fought the attacker bravely while his companions tried hard to defend their leader.  However, most of them were killed. It has been said that in order to prevent his head being taken before Al Mansur some of the companions sank his body in the Indus and later took it out and buried it.

 MANZOOR H. KURESHIKarachi