The Outset of Dissension in Islam — Page 121
121 God knows the extent to which the rebels will grow in their mischief and what will be their outcome. ” Just as Hadrat ‘ A ’ishah S idd i qah ra was leaving she devised a strategy; had it succeeded, this conflict may have been suppressed to some extent. She sent a message to her brother, Muhammad bin Ab i Bakr, that he should also accompany her to perform hajj but he refused. Upon this, Hadrat ‘ A ’ishah ra said, “What am I to do, I am helpless. If I had the strength, I would never allow these rebels to succeed in their designs. ” H A D RAT ‘ UTHM A N RA SENDS A CIRCULAR TO THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNORS Hadrat ‘ A ’ishah ra had gone for hajj and some companions, who were able to leave Madinah, also left. The remaining people except for a few prominent companions remained in their homes. Ultimately, even Hadrat ‘ Uthm a n ra felt that the rebels would not settle through leniency and he dispatched a letter to all the provincial governors, the summary of which is as follows: “After Hadrat Ab u Bakr ra and Hadrat ‘ Umar ra , without any desire or request of my own, I was included among those who were entrusted the duty of holding counsel regarding Khilafat. Then, I was elected to the office of Khilafat without any desire or request of my own. Without fail, I continued the works which the previous Khulaf a ’ ra undertook and I did not introduce any innovations in the faith of my own accord. However, the seed of evil was planted into the hearts of certain people, mischief arose and then they began to plot against me; they expressed one