The Outset of Dissension in Islam — Page 94
94 H A D RAT MIRZA BASHIR-UD-DIN MAHMUD AHMAD arrangement whereby they kept a stern watch over the streets of Madinah and its entrances, and ordered that no groups should be allowed to assemble anywhere. The rebels would scatter people wherever they happened to gather. However, they would not prohibit the odd conversation here and there, or the meeting of one or two people among themselves. THE PEOPLE OF MADINAH ADVISE THE REBELS When the astonishment of the people of Madinah had abated to some extent, a few of them came to the mosque – where the centre of the rebels was – and began to advise them and expressed displeasure towards their action. However, instead of deriving benefit from their admonition, the rebels intimidated and threatened them, and bluntly said that if they did not remain silent, then the consequences would not be good, and they would be harshly dealt with. THE REBELS TAKE CONTROL OF MADINAH Now, it was as if Madinah no longer remained to be the headquarters of Khilafat. The rule of the Khalifah of the time had been abolished and a small party of rebels did as they pleased. Be it the companions of the Holy Prophet sa or the people of Madinah – all struggled to defend their honour. Upon witnessing this conflict, some even stopped coming out of their homes. They would sit at home, aghast, night and day. 81 81. T a r i khu t-T abar i , vol. 5, pp. 154-155, 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