The Outset of Dissension in Islam — Page 95
95 THE MOST PROMINENT COMPANIONS ASK THE REBELS THE REASON FOR THEIR RETURN On the previous occasion, since the rebels returned expressing their satisfaction and they had no remaining complaints, the companions were surprised as to the real cause of their return. Most did not have the courage to speak before the rebels. A few prominent companions, in whose names the rebels sought refuge and whom they professed to love, enquired of them, “After all, what is the reason for your return?” Hence, Hadrat ‘ Al i ra , Hadrat T al h ah ra and Hadrat Zubair ra were the ones to enquire from these people as to reason for their return. They all unanimously replied: “ We were returning to our homes with complete satisfaction and assurance when we noticed a person who was mounted on a camel given as s adaqah. 82 At times he would come in front of us and at times he would fall back. When some of our men noticed him, they became suspicious and apprehended him. When he was questioned as to whether he had a letter, he declined. Furthermore, when it was inquired of him as to the purpose of his journey, he said that he was unaware. This made them even more suspicious. Finally, when he was searched, a letter was found to be in his possession, which was written by Hadrat ‘ Uthm a n ra. In it the governor of Egypt had been instructed, ‘When the rebels return to Madinah kill so and so, lash so and so and shave their heads and beards, and consider the letter which they are carrying with respect to your dismissal as 82. Almsgiving in Islam [Publishers]