The Outset of Dissension in Islam — Page 47
47 of a terrifying state and its originators thought that now it was appropriate to openly express their views and to wipe out the awe of the State. Consequently, in this regard as well, Kufah was first to advance. As I have already mentioned, Sa‘ i d bin Al-‘ As ra was appointed governor of Kufah after Wal i d bin ‘Utbah. From the outset he had adopted the custom of only allowing noble townsmen to come into his company. However, at times, he would also hold an open gathering when men of all types would be allowed to come into his company. One day, they were sitting in such a gathering when the subject of the generosity of Hadrat T al h ah ra came under discussion. Someone said that Hadrat T al h ah ra always acted with extreme generosity. In response to this Sa‘ i d happened to utter the words: “He possesses a great deal of wealth, and so he is charitable; if we also possessed such wealth, we too, would demonstrate such generosity and munificence. ” A young man naively said: “If only such and such property, which once belonged to the royal treasury and had been kept for the benefit of ordinary Muslims, had been in your possession. ” At this, a few men who belonged to the party of rebels and were waiting for an opportunity to arise so that they could express their views, began to express their anger. They asserted that the person had made this statement on the indication of Sa‘ i d, the governor of Kufah; so that a pathway could be paved in order to usurp this wealth. As such, they stood up and began to beat this person right before Sa‘ i d. When his father stood up to assist him, they thoroughly beat him as well. Sa‘ i d continuously