gratitude to God for saving 'Abd al-Malik and protecting him, and prayed to God to save him and protect him, "until He shows you and shows us, in your affairs and ours what would make us happy, and crushes our enemy." 81 It is likely that Jabir was referring to al-Hajjaj in these last words.

At his clash with the Muhallabids, al-Hajjaj arrested and imprisoned them. It is possible that al-Hajjaj exiled Jabir and one of his supporters, Hubairah, to Oman82 so that he would not be of any assistance to the Muhallabids. Three of the leading personalities of the Ibadhi movement, viz., Abu 'Ubaidah, Dumam and Abu Salamah were arrested in this period and imprisoned by al-Hajjaj. 83 This was the first serious act of suppression which faced the leaders of the Ibadhi movement, including Jabir himself, under the rule of al-Hajjaj. It appears that the main reason which made al-Hajjaj change his policy towards the Ibadhis was his clash with the Muhallabids. It could be suggested that because of the strong relations between Jabir and his family, al-Hajjaj thought that Jabir might take action against him in order to help the Muhallabids. Otherwise, no other reason can be suggested to explain this change in al-Hajjaj's policy towards Jabir and the Ibadhi movement. However, the Muhallabids managed to escape from prison and flee to Sulaiman b. Abd al-Malik in Damascus, from whom they received protection. 84 According to those who say that Jabir died in 93 A.H. it is possible that he returned to Basrah, because of the friendly attitude to Sulaiman and al-Walid b. 'Abd al-Malik towards the Muhallabids.

Those were the outlines of Jabir's policy and public activities. The most important part Jabir played was in his contribution to Islamic jurisprudence, and in establishing the Ibadhi School of law.

It is an obligation for the Muslim to learn a few verses of the Qur'an, and some practical teachings of the Prophet, in order to observe the religious obligations such as prayer and other religious duties. The development of the Muslim community, and its rapid expansion, created new centres in which group of the Companions settled. One of the major centres was the city of al-Basrah which was established during the Caliphate of 'Umar b. al-Khattab as a military base, and soon became one of the intellectual capitals of Islam. In this city Jabir was brought up, and there he met a large number of the Companions who were eager to teach people the religion of Islam. A new class grew up in Islamic society composed of the students of the Companions; this class was known as al-Tabi'un (the 'followers' or 'successors'). They were the second generation who inherited the teachings of Islam as presented to them by the 'Companions,' and became the missionaries of the religion. They taught people the Qur'an, Traditions of the Prophet, and set before them the example of the true Muslims in their practical lives. Among the old 'followers' of Basrah who dedicated his