Cryptic names of the enemies of Al Muhammad

 

Allama Majlisi explains the meaning of cryptic names used by our Imams to refer to their oppressors:

(Bihar al-Anwar, vol 8, page 301-302)

(Bihar al-Anwar, vol 64, page 62)

“Zurayq = Abu Bakr. Called this as Arabs used to dislike blue eyes.

Habtar = Umar. ‘Habtar’ meaning snake, and perhaps he was called so due to his cunningness and deception.

Dilam = Umar. Referring to a tall black man.”

بيان: الرزيق كناية عن أبي بكر لان العرب يتشأم بزرقة العين. والحبتر هو عمر، والحبتر هو الثعلب، ولعله إنما كني عنه لحيلته ومكره

والدلام ايضا كناية عنه

الأدلم: الأسود الطويل. ومنه الحديث (فجاء رجل أدلم فاستأذن على النبي صلى الله عليه وآله) قيل: هو عمر بن الخطاب.

‘Askar ibn Hu = Nickname for some of the caliphs of Banu Umayya or Banu al-Abbas

Abu Salama = Nickname for Abu Ja’far al-Dawaniqi [i.e, Abu Ja’far al-Mansur]

It is also possible that ‘Askar is a name for A’isha and those who fought for her in the Battle of the Camel - if the name of her camel were ‘Askar, which is also reported to have been a demon.” 

وعسكر بن هو سر كناية عن بعض خلفاء بني أمية أو بني العباس، وكذا أبي سلامة، ولا يبعد أن يكون أبو سلامة كناية عن أبي جعفرالدوانيقي، ويحتمل أن يكون عسكر كناية عن عائشة وسائر أهل الجمل إذ كان اسم جمل عائشة عسكرا، وروي أنه كان شيطانا.