The Outset of Dissension in Islam — Page 83
83 kindness of the very same gracious and compassionate person— whom they sought to murder and against whom they had instigated an outrage—that they were able to safely escape. One is astonished at the malice and unrighteousness of these mischief-makers, for they did not derive the slightest benefit from this incident. Each and every one of their allegations was amply refuted and all their objections were proven to be false and unfounded. They witnessed the mercy and compassion of Hadrat ‘Uthm a n ra and the soul of every individual bore witness to the fact that the likes of such a person cannot be found on the face of the earth at this time. However, instead of repenting for their sins, being ashamed of their cruelties, feeling remorse for their trespasses and refraining from their mischief, these people began to burn even more in the fire of rage and fury. They considered their being rendered speechless a disgrace and the forgiveness of Hadrat ‘Uthm a n ra as being the result of their good planning. As such, they returned whilst devising strategies to fulfil their remaining plan in the future. 73 ANOTHER GRAVE CONSPIRACY BY THE MISCHIEF-MAKERS After returning, these people began to engage in written correspondence again. Ultimately, it was decided that according to their initial plan, in Shaww a l , everyone would set out in the form of a caravan under the pretence of performing hajj and then enter Madinah where they would suddenly upset 73. T a r i khu t-T abar i , vol. 5, p. 152, Dhikru Mas i ri Mann S a ra Il a Dh i Khashabin Min Ahli Mi s ra. . . . . , Published by D a rul-Fikr, Beirut, 2002 edition [Publishers]