'Abbasid Revolution. Anonymous, circa AH 127-140 / AD 744-757. Dirham (Silver, 26 mm, 2.75 g, 4 h), Anonymous Kharijites, Kūfah, AH 128 = AD 745/6. Central field, in three lines: lā ilāha illā / Allāh waḥdahū / lā sharīka lahū (‘There is no deity but God alone; He has no associate’ in Arabic). Inner margin: bi-sm Allāh ḍuriba hādhā al-dirham bi-l-Kūfah sanat thamān wa ʿishrīn wa miʾa (‘In the name of God, this dirham was struck in al-Kufa in the year one hundred and twenty-eight’ in Arabic). Outer margin: lā ḥukm illā li-llāh (‘No judgement except God’s’ in Arabic); within double circular borders; around, four circles and an additional circle around. Rev. Central field, in four lines (Qurʾān 112:1-4): Allāh aḥad Allāh / al-ṣamad lam yalid wa / lam yūlad wa-lam yakun / lahu kufuwan aḥad (‘God is One, God the Eternal Refuge; He begets not, nor is He begotten; and there is none comparable to Him’ in Arabic). Margin (Qurʾān 9:33): Muḥammad rasūl Allāh arsalahu bi-l-hudā wa-dīn al-ḥaqq li-yuẓhirahu ʿalā al-dīn kullihi wa-law kariha al-mushrikūn (‘Muḥammad is the Messenger of God, whom He sent with guidance and the religion of truth that He may cause it to prevail over all religion, even though the polytheists may dislike it’ in Arabic); within circular borders; around, five pellets and an additional circle around. Album 207.1. ICV 367. Klat 548a. An extremely rare date-mint combination. Nicely toned and well centered. Some areas of weakness, minor marks and deposits, otherwise, good very fine.


The addition of the slogan lā ḥukm illā li-llāh (‘No judgement except God’s’) is a defining feature of Kharijite coinage, expressing the movement’s central theological and political doctrine rejecting caliphal authority not based strictly on divine judgement. Dirhams bearing this formula are confined to a small number of issues associated with Kharijite activity during the late Umayyad and revolutionary period.

The present coin, struck at al-Kūfah in AH 128, belongs to this limited series and reflects the temporary control or influence of Kharijite groups over established mints. Comparable issues are known for only a few dates and mints, including al-Kūfah and later emissions such as those of Tanbarak in AH 133. Such pieces are of considerable historical interest.