The Outset of Dissension in Islam — Page 96
96 H A D RAT MIRZA BASHIR-UD-DIN MAHMUD AHMAD being invalid. ’ When we saw this letter we were extremely surprised and returned at once. ” Upon hearing this story, Hadrat ‘Al i ra instantly retorted: “This tale has been fabricated in Madinah. O people of Kufah and O people of Basrah! How did you learn that the people of Egypt had seized such a letter despite being at a distance of many manzils from each other? Moreover, how then was it possible for you to return so soon?” Neither could they respond to this objection, nor was there an answer. So the only reply they could give was, “Say whatever you like and think of us as you wish. We dislike the Khilafat of this person. He should resign from his post. ” 83 Ka ‘ b bin Ashraf, who held the position of a king among the Jews, was a bitter enemy of the Holy Prophet sa and Islam. When his mischief crossed all bounds and the suffering of the Muslims knew no limits Muhammad bin Maslamah ra , who was from among the prominent companions and the community of the an sa r , had done a great service to Islam by killing him under the instruction of the Holy Prophet sa. He made the same argument when he heard of this incident raised the same objection and plainly said, “This is nothing more than a self-concocted lie. ” H A D RAT ‘ UTHM A N RA CLEARS HIMSELF OF THE ALLEGATIONS LEVELLED BY THE REBELS Even though the companions had logically dismissed their tale, the audacity of the rebels had now crossed all limits. 83. T a r i khu t-T abar i , vol. 5, p. 154, 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]