Adi ibn Artah al Fazari

Career under 'Umar ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz

'Adi was appointed to the governorship of al-Basrah by the caliph 'Umar ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz, shortly after the latter's ascension in 717. After receiving his appointment, he established himself in al-Basrah; he also ordered the arrest of his predecessor Yazid ibn al-Muhallab, who 'Umar had dismissed from the governorship of Iraq. Once Yazid was captured, 'Adi shipped him to the caliph's residence in Syria, where he was cast into prison.

'Adi served as governor of al-Basrah for the duration of 'Umar's caliphate. Unlike Yazid, who had been governor of all of Iraq and the eastern provinces, 'Adi did not have authority over al-Kufah and Khurasan, which were placed under separate governors. His area of responsibility, however, was still considerable, and extended from al-Basrah and al-Bahrayn in the west to al-Sind in the east. Oman was also initially under 'Adi's authority, but 'Umar revoked his jurisdiction over it after receiving complaints about his lieutenant's administration there.

During 'Adi's governorship, he authorized public works projects in al-Basrah; a canal was dug to provide water to the city's residents and was named after him. A second canal which was completed was named after 'Adi's chief of police. He also wanted to enlarge the governor's residence in the city, but was reportedly dissuaded from doing so by 'Umar. During his administration, a plague struck in 718-719 and was named the "plague of 'Adi ibn Artah."

The Muhallabid revolt

Shortly after the death of 'Umar in February 720, 'Adi received a message from the new caliph Yazid ibn 'Abd al-Malik informing him that Yazid ibn al-Muhallab had escaped from prison and that he was likely heading toward Iraq. On the caliph's orders, 'Adi arrested and imprisoned the Muhallabids who were in al-Basrah and prepared for an confrontation with Yazid; the local army was organized and a trench was dug around the city.

As Yazid advanced toward al-Basrah, however, 'Adi's defense began to fall apart. Many of his men refused to fight against Yazid, and contingents that were sent out to stop his march instead allowed him to pass by unmolested. Yazid also began offering higher stipends to the Basrans, which increased his popularity among them. Consequently, when he arrived at al-Basrah he was able to enter the city without much difficulty. The Syrians and Basrans who remained loyal to 'Adi attempted to mount a defense outside the fortress of al-Basrah, but they were defeated and the fortress was stormed by Yazid's men. The remainder of 'Adi's forces fled to al-Kufah; 'Adi himself was captured and brought before Yazid, who ordered his confinement.

Following Yazid's conquest of al-Basrah, 'Adi was transferred to Wasit, which was put under the command of Yazid's son Mu'awiyah. He remained incarcerated there until Yazid was killed in battle against Maslamah ibn 'Abd al-Malik in August 720. When news of Yazid's fate reached Wasit, Mu'awiyah took out a number of prisoners under his charge, including 'Adi and his son Muhammad, and executed them in retaliation for his father's death.