The Outset of Dissension in Islam — Page 86
86 H A D RAT MIRZA BASHIR-UD-DIN MAHMUD AHMAD ARRIVAL OF THE MISCHIEF-MAKERS IN MADINAH As soon as word came that this army had reached close to Madinah, the companions and the people of Madinah, who had gone out to manage their properties and lands in the surrounding area, congregated in Madinah. Their army was divided into two groups: one set out from Madinah to fight the rebels while the second force remained in the city for the protection of Hadrat ‘ Uthm a n ra. When all three caravans arrived close to Madinah, the rebels of Basrah settled at a place known as Dh u -Khashab, the rebels of Kufah at A‘was and the rebels of Egypt at Dhul-Marwah. They consulted one another as to what they should do next. Even though their number is estimated to have been from between eighteen hundred to three thousand men (the other pilgrims who set out along with them, considering them to be a hajj caravan, were separate), the rebels thought that fighting the valiant men of Islam would not be easy if they were determined to fight. For this reason, they deemed it essential to immediately gather the view of the people of Madinah upon entering the city. As such, two men named Ziy a d bin An-Na d r and ‘ Abdull a h bin Al-A s am advised the rebels of Kufah and Basrah that it was not wise to be hasty and if they rushed things, then the rebels of Egypt would also have to hurry and the plan would be ruined. They replied: “ We have learnt that the people of Madinah have prepared an army against us. If they have prepared to such a great extent despite not being fully aware of our circumstances, they will become even more vigilant upon learning of our complete state of affairs. Our victory shall become a