The Outset of Dissension in Islam — Page 78
78 H A D RAT MIRZA BASHIR-UD-DIN MAHMUD AHMAD THE CONSPIRACY EXPOSED Both of these informants returned with a full report of their findings and briefed Hadrat ‘Uthm a n ra. Upon hearing their state of affairs, Hadrat ‘Uthm a n ra began to laugh and prayed to God the Exalted, “O Allah! Save these people from going astray. They will be ruined if You do not save them. ” Then, regarding the three men from among the people of Madinah who were with the mischief-makers, he said: “As for ‘ Amm a r, he is angry because he attacked ‘ Abb a s bin ‘Utbah bin Ab i Lahab and he was reprimanded for this. Whereas Muhammad bin Ab i Bakr has turned arrogant and thinks that no law is binding upon him and Muhammad bin Ab i H udhaifah is putting himself in trouble for no reason. ” Then Hadrat ‘ Uthm a n ra called the mischief-makers and gathered the companions of the Holy Prophet sa as well. H A D RAT ‘ UTHM A N RA SUMMONS THE MISCHIEF-MAKERS When everyone had gathered, Hadrat ‘Uthm a n ra informed them of the whole affair. The two informants also stood by as witnesses and gave their testimony. Upon this, all the companions gave the following verdict: “Execute these people because the Holy Prophet sa has said, ‘May the curse of Allah be upon such an individual who calls people towards his own obedience or the obedience of another, at a time when there is an Im a m who is present. Kill such a person whoever he may be. ’” Then, they reminded everyone of the words of Hadrat ‘ Umar ra :