The Outset of Dissension in Islam — Page 74
74 H A D RAT MIRZA BASHIR-UD-DIN MAHMUD AHMAD incite the public against the governors. The fact that the rebels were heading for Madinah with a large party also proves that they did not harbour good intentions for Hadrat ‘Uthm a n ra. Furthermore, their needlessly killing the freed slave of Sa‘ i d bin Al-‘ As ra , demonstrates that in order to fulfil their ends these people felt no hindrance in committing any crime whatsoever. It appears that by now these people had begun to perceive that if there was even a slight delay, the Muslim people would come to learn of the gravity of their mischief. For this reason, they were deeply concerned in attaining their objective in whatever way and as quickly as possible. However, with his wisdom, Hadrat ‘ Uthm a n ra dismissed their excuses once again. He appointed Ab u M u s a Al-Ash‘ar i ra as the governor and immediately informed the people. Their hopes had already been frustrated when Sa‘ i d bin Al-‘ As ra returned and informed the people of Madinah of their motives. Their plans under deliberation of suddenly occupying Madinah, were frustrated and they were forced to turn back. Now, with the appointment of Ab u M u s a Al-Ash‘ar i ra as the governor, their objections had been completely done away with because these people desired his appointment as governor for some time. When Ab u M u s a Al-Ash‘ar i ra came to know of his appointment as the governor of Kufah, he gathered everyone and said: “O people! Never set out for such works again, and adopt unity and obedience. Act patiently and refrain from haste because now an Amir is amongst you i. e. I have been appointed as the Amir. ”