The Outset of Dissension in Islam — Page 84
84 H A D RAT MIRZA BASHIR-UD-DIN MAHMUD AHMAD the entire system and change the system of government as per their own liking. According to this proposal, in Shaww a l , i. e. the tenth lunar month, in the twelfth year of the Khilafat of Hadrat ‘Uthm a n ra or 36 A. H. , the rebels left their homes in the form of three caravans. One caravan was from Basrah, one from Kufah and one from Egypt. Keeping in mind the previous failure and considering that this was a final attempt, ‘ Abdull a h bin Sab a also left for Madinah along with the caravan from Egypt. The chief of the rebels stepping out himself, was an indication of the fact that these people would now attempt to achieve their objective with the use of every possible tactic. As all the parties had outwardly expressed their intention of going for hajj in their respective regions, other people who actually intended to perform hajj also joined them. In this manner, their true intentions remained hidden from the ordinary Muslims. However, since the governors knew of their internal conspiracy, ‘ Abdull a h bin Ab i Sara h , the governor of Egypt, dispatched a special emissary to inform Hadrat ‘ Uthm a n ra of the caravan and their intentions in good time and the people of Madinah became vigilant. At this instance, the question arises that when the people of Madinah and especially the companions desired to execute these mischief-makers upon their arrival to Madinah on three separate occasions; and whereas the rebels knew that Hadrat ‘Uthm a n ra was well aware of their plan of coming and creating disorder under the pretence of performing hajj, why then did these people set out according to their initial plan, which Hadrat ‘ Uthm a n ra was well aware of, instead of devising another plan? Does this mean that in actuality the people of Madinah were with these mischief-makers and this is why they were not afraid?