The Outset of Dissension in Islam — Page 50
50 H A D RAT MIRZA BASHIR-UD-DIN MAHMUD AHMAD from Hadrat ‘ Uthm a n ra regarding Ibnus-Saud a ’ and a similar instruction had been given for him, perhaps latter events may have turned out differently. However, the state of the Muslims at the time demanded that such should be its fate and destiny; and so it occurred. These people who were exiled and should best be referred to as members of the party of Ibni Sab a , were close to ten in number (although there is a disagreement in their actual number). The first strategy that Hadrat Mu‘ a wiyah ra adopted for their reformation was to treat them with great honour and reverence. He would eat with them and often go and sit in their company, during his leisure time. After a few days, he advised them saying: “I have heard that you hold enmity for the Quraish, 49 while this should not be the case. It is through the Quraish that Allah the Exalted has endowed glory to the Arabs. Your governors are like your shields so do not part from these shields, for they bear hardships on your account and are concerned for you. If you do not value this, God the Exalted shall appoint such rulers upon you who shall oppress you severely; shall not value your patience and a 49. It is clearly evident from the statement of Hadrat Mu ‘ a wiyah and the reply of these people that they were not opposed to Hadrat ‘ Uthm a n ra or his appointed Governors. They opposed the Quraish; in other words, they harboured jealousy against those who were the foremost in belief. If a companion other than Hadrat ‘ Uthm a n ra had been Khalifah , and other Governors had been appointed in place of those who already held office, these people would have held enmity towards them in the same manner, because their only objective was to attain grandeur.