The Outset of Dissension in Islam — Page 125
125 covenant. Of course, such a person may do as he wishes on his own accord. ” 108 Since the days of hajj were fast approaching and people were converging upon Makkah Mukarramah from all corners, Hadrat ‘ Uthm a n ra appointed Hadrat ‘ Abdull a h bin ‘Abb a s ra and dispatched him as the Amir for hajj lest the rebels created disorder there as well. This way Hadrat ‘Abdull a h bin ‘Abb a s ra could also urge the Muslims gathering for hajj to assist the people of Madinah. Even Hadrat ‘Abdull a h bin ‘Abb a s ra submitted, “I would prefer to do jihad against these people. ” However, Hadrat ‘Uthm a n ra compelled him to go for hajj and discharge his duties as the Amir for hajj, in order to prevent the rebels from spreading their mischief there and also to urge the pilgrims gathering there to help the people of Madinah. The above-mentioned letter of Hadrat ‘Uthm a n ra was sent along with him as well. When the rebels learned of these letters they grew in their violence. They began to look for an excuse to fight so that they could martyr Hadrat ‘Uthm a n ra. All their efforts, however, were in vain and Hadrat ‘Uthm a n ra would not give them an opportunity to make mischief. THE REBELS PELT STONES AT THE HOUSE OF H A D RAT ‘ UTHM A N RA In the end, out of frustration, the scheme devised by the rebels was that they would stone the house of Hadrat ‘Uthm a n ra at night fall when everyone would fall asleep. In this manner, 108. T a r i khu t-T abar i , vol. 5, pp. 192-193, Dhikrul-Khabari ‘ Anis- Sababilladh i Min Ajlih i , Published by D a rul-Fikr, Beirut, 2002 edition [Publishers]