The Outset of Dissension in Islam — Page 23
23 to these events I wish to say something with regards to the question of why unrest arose in the time of Hadrat ‘Uthm a n ra ? The fact of the matter is that in the time of Hadrat ‘Uthm a n ra , people entered Islam in large numbers. The vast majority of these new Muslims were unfamiliar with the Arabic language, thus, learning the Islamic faith was not as easy for them as it was for the Arabs. For centuries, due to their interaction with the Persians and Syrians, even those who knew Arabic, had remained victim to the filthy views which were a natural result of the civilisation of that era. In addition to this, due to battles with the Persians and Christians, the full strength of most companions and those who followed him, was being exhausted in warding off the onslaughts of the enemy. Two major causes for why new Muslims were unable to become as familiar with Islam as was required, were that on the one hand, Muslim attention was occupied by external enemies and, on the other hand, new Muslims were unfamiliar with the Arabic language or had been influenced by non-Arab views. In the era of Hadrat ‘ Umar ra , since the Muslims were engaged in a large-scale series of wars and the danger of the enemy remained ever-present, people did not receive an opportunity to contemplate other matters. Additionally, due to being in constant battle with the enemy, naturally, religious passion would rise up again and again, and this covered up the weakness in religious knowledge which existed among the people. The same conditions were prevalent even in the early era of Hadrat ‘Uthm a n ra. On one hand, wars ensued, while earlier influences also remained in the hearts of people. When a state of peace prevailed to some extent and initial enthusiasm also subsided, it was then that