The Outset of Dissension in Islam — Page 80
80 H A D RAT MIRZA BASHIR-UD-DIN MAHMUD AHMAD because I came to know that in those days people had converged for the hajj and the uneducated from among them would begin to say that the Khalifah only offers two rak’ a t 71 so there must only be two rak’ a t in the prayer. Is this not true?” The companions replied, “Yes this is correct. ” Then Hadrat ‘Uthm a n ra said: “The second allegation that they raise is that I have introduced the innovation of establishing public pastures, although this is a false accusation. Pastures were established before me. They were introduced by Hadrat ‘ Umar ra and I have only made them more spacious due to the growing number of camels which are given in alms. Then, the land designated for public pastures is not the wealth of anyone. I have no benefit in this; I have only two camels, whereas at the time when I became Khalifah I was more wealthy then all the Arabs. Now I only have two camels which I have kept for hajj. Is this not true?” The noble companions affirmed, “Indeed, it is. ” Then Hadrat ‘ Uthm a n ra said: “They say that I appoint comparatively young men as governors, even though I only appoint such individuals as governors who posses virtuous attributes and manners. Holy men before me appointed even younger people as governors than those appointed by me. Far more objections were raised against the Holy Prophet sa for appointing 71. A rak‘at is a cycle in the formal Muslim—plural rak‘ a t [Publishers]