The Outset of Dissension in Islam — Page 49
49 He replied, “Inform Hadrat ‘Uthm a n ra of all the events yourself and the matter shall be dealt with in accordance with his instructions. ” All the noble people informed Hadrat ‘Uthm a n ra of the events, who ordered Sa‘ i d that if the leaders of Kufah unanimously agreed, these people should be exiled towards Syria and sent to Amir Mu‘ a wiyah. Then, he wrote to Amir Mu‘ a wiyah ra saying: “A few people, who are openly bent upon creating disorder, shall come to you from Kufah. Make preparations for their subsistence and devise a plan for their reform. If they improve and reform themselves, then treat them with compassion and overlook their faults, but if they persist in mischief then punish them. ” 47 This order of Hadrat ‘Uthm a n ra was based on immense wisdom because on the one hand, their living in Kufah would provoke the public’s anger, who was fully aware of their mischief; and there was a danger of them being incited and causing them harm; on the other hand, it was also injurious because these people were residents there and possessed a degree of influence. If they had continued to live there, they would have become a means for misguiding many others. 48 However, this verdict was issued at a time when much benefit could not be expected. If Ibni ‘ A mir, the governor of Basrah, had also sought advice 47. T a r i khu t-T abar i , vol. 5, p. 134, Dhikru Tasy i ri Mann Sayyara Min Ahlil-K u fat Ilaih a , Published by D a rul-Fikr, Beirut, 2002 edition [Publishers] 48. They were unable to find an opportunity to mislead people in the place where they were exiled because they were kept under special supervision and strict watch.