e The History of al-Tabasi Editorial Board Ihsan Abbas, University of Jordan, Amman C. E, Bosworth, The University of Manchester Franz Rosenthal, Yale University Ehsan Yar-Shater, Columbia University(General Editor) ‘SUNY SERIES IN NEAR EASTERN STUDIES Said Amir Arjomand, Editor e ‘The preparation of this volume was made possible in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, an independent federal agency. ram leer ler allan ete | le a ce Bibliotheca Persica Edited by Ehsan Yar-Shater The History of al-Tabari (Tatrikh al-rasul wa'l mutik) Votume xv The Crisis of the Early Caliphate translated and annotated by R. Stephen Humphreys University of Wisconsin, Madison State University of New York Press‘The Crisis of the Eatly Caliphate [pare im were ‘Arumér b. Yésc and Muhammad b, Abi Bake, and they b979] rete saying, "Marwan has acted badly toward the pecple:” “AQ aime over to me and asked, “Were you present at "Uthmion's Sermon?” “Yes,” I said, “Ali went on, “And were you present when Marwan spoke to the people?” "Yes,"l answered ‘All cae “God forbid, © Muslims, that if I remain in my house, he cheat {um out as he desires, Marwan would tick him’! and he meat Become like a captured beast driven by him at will—fal the] {espite his advanced age and his having been a Companion of te ‘Messenger of God. ybd al-Rabmin b. al-Aswad continues: 'Ali) kept on until ‘Uthén’s envoy arrived and satd, “Come with mec" “Alt fRanded in a loud, angry voice, “Tell him that I will not come before him again.’"The messenger departed. I tried without sec, ‘cess to meet with “Uthman two nights later. tasked his servant here the Commander of the Faithful had been, and he said, "He was with “Ali ing lagainst him, So I said to him, ‘After what you said on she pulpit of the Messenger of God, and after [the promniseal you gave of your own free will, you entered your house, aad Marwan vont ‘aut before the people, reviling and insulting therm 2 your gate “('Uthman) responded, saying, ‘You have severed the bends Kinship with me. You have abandoned me and emboldened the people against me.’ I [tha is, “All replied, ‘By God, 1 am yort frongest defender against the people, But whenever | hove to you any matter that & think you will find agreeable, an) brings another. You have heard Marwan speak agains, ime and have invited him to enter your presence.’ Then fe left and went home. “Abd al-Rabman b. al-Aswad continues: | constantly saw ‘Ali ‘voiding (Uthman} and not ating as he formerly had. However 1 2} fh fending of this passg is uncer: fa okllamtu Jaa ma pre alah ib amd ‘The Events of the Year 35 Br Know that he spoke with Talbsh when (Uthmin) was under nage 40 the slfece that waterskine chould be taken to him, Al [tas extremely upeet about that, until at last watershine Ga brought in to “Uthman, “aecording to Mubammad b. ‘Umar (al-Wagidi)—‘Abdallah b. Beker toma‘ b. Mubaramad: ‘Uthman stood upon the palate rat cnd Praised and extolled God. Then « man stool p sod Sig, Catz out the Book of God.”"Uthman sald, "Sit dower fie id so. Three times he stood up, ‘Uthman ordered € sects, Tam not of them in God."22 Then ‘All. Abi Talib ente then this world will aurely become a “AIT rose up full of anger ‘In this year, ‘Uthman b. “Aftin was killed, The Account of the Murder [of Uthman] ‘According to Abi Jafar was killed. We have ment ‘murderers cited as an excuse for killing mentioning many others that should not be {ill now describe how he was killed, how and through whens i¢ 8 the first to treat him audaciously before he ‘was murdered ‘According to Mubammad b. ‘Umar al-Wigidi—‘Abdallah b, Jefar—Umm Bakr bt. al-Miswar b. Makhramah— her faehe 333, variant version of Quran 6x40, The ext unaly rn ‘Malasoad nt ot of em mame 2980,bos} 1a ‘The Crisis of the Early Caliphate ‘Some camels were brought to 'Uthman as legal alms (gadagah|, and he made a gift of them to one of the Band al-Hakam 224 Having learned of this, Abd al-Rabman b, ‘Aw! sent to al-Miswar b. Makhramah and ‘Abd al-Rahmaan b. al-Aswad b. ‘Abd Yaghath, ‘They took the camels, and ‘Abd al-Rahmin (b. “Avil then dis. tributed them among the people while ‘Uthmin stayed at home. ‘According to Mubammad b. ‘Umar (al-Waqidi}—Mubammad b. ‘Salih—"Ubaydallah b. Rafi’ b, Nagakhah®—Uthman b. ‘Uthman passed Jabalah b. ‘Amr al-Si'idi as he satin courtyard holding a rope. Jabalah said, “You hyena, By God, 1 shall kill you. t shall carry you off on a seab-covered camel and send you to blazing fire.” Another time, when “Uthmin was standing on the pulpit, Jabalah forced him to get of. 1k was related to me by Mubsmmad (al-Waqidif4 Aba Bakr ‘, Ismi‘il—his father—‘Amir b, Sad: The first man who dared to insult ‘Uchman was Jabalah b. ‘Amr al-Sa‘idi. Once while he was sitting among his kinsmen holding a rope in his hand, ‘Uthmin passed by him. ‘Uthmn greeted them as he was passing by, and they greeted him in return. Then Jabalah said, “Why do you an- swer a man who did such-and-such a thing!” Jabalah then ap- proached “Uthman and said, “By God, 1 will throw this rope around your neck unless you abandon your personal entourage (bitanah).” “What entourage,” asked ‘Uthmint "By God, Ido not choose favorites among the people.” (Jabalah) answered, “Mar. wan, and Mu‘awiyah, and ‘Abdallah b. ‘Amir b. Kurayz, and “Abdallah b. Sa'd—all ofthese you have favored. Among them are men who are condemned in the Qur'én, men whose blood the ‘Messenger of God has declared lawful." “Uthn departed, and the people have continued to talk spitefully about him to this day. ‘According to Muhammad b. “Umas (al-Wagidi}—Ibn Abi al- skam (the can fom which Marwan stemmed) were of cei among the ent dra cpiens othe pet Tha sition wis “ny ati usualy enough to tain inthe eyes ofthe plus "25 Pethaps "Nalakah” of Nufaheh” Bee text, a9 ote f 328. Heddathon’ Mueromedun. Presumabiy he nce Wahl, but hee is 4, lial “The tem heddthan! normally inictes det orl tannmason However a Waid ded in or/and could not have ped hanes on to Toba in that manner, ‘The Events of the Year 35 183 ‘Zinad—Miasa b, ‘Uqhah—Aba Habibah: One day “Uthmin was preaching to the people when ‘Amb. al“Ag said, "O Commander ‘of the Faithful, you have incurred grave dangers, and we have incurred them with you, Repent, and we shall repent." ‘Uthmin ‘tured in the direction of Mecca and raised his arms in supplica- ton, Abii Habibsh states: Ihave never seen more men and wom- en weeping than on that day. Afterwards, as ‘Uthmin preached to the people, Jabiah al-Ghiféri came up tohim and cried, “"Uthmin, we have brought this old she-camel, and on it there are a robe and rope. Get downi,We will dress you in the robe, throw the rope ‘around your neck, carry you off on the camel, and then throw you {into the mountain of smoke,” ‘Uthmin replied, “May God dis- figure you and reveal the ugliness of your deeds.” Abi Habibah states: All this happened in front of the people.®?” Then “Uthman's favorites and partisans among the Bani’ Umayyah ‘came up to him and took him home. Aba Habibah states: It was the last I saw of him. According to Muhammad (al-Wagidi}—Usamah b. Zayd al- Laythi—Yabya b. ‘Abd al-Rabiman b. Hayib—his father: 1 was ‘watching 'Uthnn ashe preached leaning on the Prophet’ staff— the staff on which (the Prophetl, Abdi Bakr, and ‘Umar used to lean while they preached. Jahiah said to him, "You hyena, get «down off this pulpit!” Seizing the staf, Jabjah broke i¢ over his right knee. A wood splinter pierced (the knee), and the wound ‘remained open for s0 long that it became infected with gangrene, and I saw it swarming with maggots. ‘Uthmin descended from the pulpit and was taken away, He ordered the staff tobe repaired, and it was bound together with a strip of iron. From that day until hhe was besieged and killed, ‘Uthman went out only one or two times. Te was related to me by Abmad b.Ibrahim— Abdallah b.Kdris— “Ubaydallah b, ‘Umar-—Nift: Jajah al-Chifari seized a staff that "Uthman was holding and broke it over his knee, and (Jahjah) was stricken with gangrene in that place. It was related to me by Jafar b. 'Abdallth al-Mubammad “Ams—Muhammad b.Isbaq b. Yasar al-Madani??*—his paternal 27 Wa'lam yan ahake man 'an mala m Vai 335 fn big curse mont lrc or St Ras AIG, ba be aso {2982} {2983}@R@G RS SSSRS eR Baga SE n984) 184 ‘The Crisis of the Barly Caliphate uncle ‘Abd al-Rahmin b. Yasir: When the people saw what ‘Uthmin was doing, the Companions of the Prophet in Medina wrote to the Companions who were scattered throughout the frontier provinces: “You have gone forth but to struggle in the path of Almighty God, for the sake of Mubammad’s religion. In your absence the religion of Muhammad has been corrupted a forsaken. Come then and reestablish Mubammad's religion.” ‘Thus, they came from every direction until they killed (‘Uthman}, ‘When the people turned around to go back after ‘Uthmin claimed he had repented, he wrote a letter to ‘Abdallah b, Sa'd b. Abi Satb, hhis governor (mil) in Egypt, concerning those who had come from Egypt, for they were the most hostile to him of all the Provincial garrisons: "To proceed: Look for so-and-so and so-and- s0, and behead them if they come to you, Look also for certain other men, and punish them in such-and-such a way.” These persons included a few of the Companions of the Messenger of God as well as a body of the Successors, His envoy on this occa- sion was Abi al-A'war b. Sufyan alSulami, ‘Uthmin mounted im on one of his camels and ordered him to get to Egypt before the dissidents (al-qawm) arrived. Aba al-A'war overtook the Egyptians along the road, and they asked him where he was going, “To Egypt,” he replied, and he was accompanied by a Syrian from Khawlan. When they saw him on ‘Uthman’s camel, they sid, “Are you carrying a letter?” “No,” he said. "Why were you sent,” they asked. “don’t know,” he responded. “You are not carrying @ Aetter,” they said, “and you do not know why you were sent. Your situation is suspicious.” Then they searched him and found a letter in an empty waterskin. Upon examining the letter, they discovered that some of them were to be executed and others ‘were to be punished in their persons and property, When they saw this they returned to Medina, The people leared about their retum and what had happened to them, They came back from all the provinces, and the Medinese rase up in rebellion. Ie was related to me by Ja'far—"Amnr and ‘ hf. Tabet cite it only ttely, but « papyron fag. in with the murder of "Umar and the appointment ofthe elector ouncil-docs survive. This fragment has been stadied by Nabie Abbas, Stedlet in Arabic Uterory Papyt Historical Texts (Chlaga: 1959 pp. 80-99 See sad 1'MC 8 Tones tl bak,” PI, Brome. ‘The Events of the Year 35 18s {father—Mubammad b, Si’ib al-Kalbi: The Egyptians retumed to “Uthman after having departed from him because a slave (ghulen} ‘of his, riding one of his camels, overtook them carrying a letter to the governor (amir] of Egypt [with orders] to kill some of them ‘and crucify others. When they came back to “Uthman they sai, “This is your slave.” He said, “My slave went without my know edge.” They said, “It is] your camel.” He responded, “He took it from the house without my orders.” They said, “(This is] your seal.” t was forged,” he said, ‘When the Egyptians arsived, ‘Abd al-Rabman b."Udaysal-Tujibt seid They [fem.P% came from Bilbays and Upper Egypt, ineecke toys suining ike bv ‘Their flanks covered in chain mail. ‘They lfem.| demand God's due from al-Walid, from “Uthman and from Sad. (© Lord, send us back with what we seek! ‘When ‘Uthman saw what had happened to him and how many ‘of the people had been sent against him, he wrote Mu‘awiyah b. ‘Abi Sufyan in Syria: “In the name of God, the Merciful, the Com- ‘Possionate. To proved: The Medincae have become unbelievers, they have abandoned obedience and renounced their oath of alle- siance. Therefore send to me the Syrian soldiers who are at your disposal, on every camel you have, whether docile or stubborn.” ‘When Mu'awiyah got the letter, he delayed action on it, for he did ‘not wish to differ openly with the Companions of the Messenger ‘of God, since he knew that they concurred [on this matter|, When “Uthman became aware of the delay, he wrote to seek aid from ‘Yaaid b. Asad b. Kurz and the Syrians, he stressed his rightful claims upon them, and mentioned Almighty God's command: ‘ment to obey the caliphs, to give them sincere counsel, and to promise chem the support of an army or personal entourage (bitdnah against the people (as a whole}. He reminded them of ‘what he had endured with them and his good treatment of them. [He aaid) “i you can aid me, then hurry, hury. For the dissidents (gawan) are making haste against me.” When his letter was read 2399, Camels are meant {a985][986] 186 ‘The Crisis of the Early Caliphate ‘out to them, Yazid b. Asad b. Kurz, of the clan of Qasr in the tribe ‘of Bailah, stood up. He praised and extolled God, and then spoke about ‘Uthman, stressing his rightful claims [upon them] and urg- ing them to go to his aid. He commanded them to set out, and a ‘great number heeded him and went with him until, having learned at Wadi al-Qura™” of ‘Uthmin’s murder, they returned. “Uthman also wrote ‘Abdallah b. Amira copy of his etter to the Syrians, commanding him to send the Baprans to him. ‘Abdallah “Amir assembled the people and read “Uthman’s letter to them. ‘Speakers from among the Basrans stood up, urging him to go to “Uthman’s aid, The first among them who spoke was Mujashi’ b. ‘Mas'dd al-Sulamt,at that time the chief {sayytd} of the Qays tribe in Basrah. Qays b.a-Haytham al-Sulaml alto arose and exhorted the people to support ‘Uthman. The people hastened to do that, and ‘Abdallah b. ‘Amir put Mujdshi* b, Mas'ad in command of them, Mujashi' led them out, but when the people made camp at ng located ina district of Medina it—they leamed of ‘Uthman's murder. It was related to me by Jafar—'Amr and ‘Ali—Husayn —his father—Mubammad b. Ishiq b. Yasir al-Madani—Yahya.b. “Abbad b. ‘Abdallah b. ai-ZubaysS®!—his father: The Egyptians in al-Suqya or Dhit Khushub wrote a letter to ‘Uthman. One of them brought it to 'Uthman, who did not reply in any way, but ordered hhim to be ejected from the house. Then six hundred Egyptians ‘marched on ‘Uthman. They were divided into four brigades, and the commander of each carried a banner. The overall command ‘asin the hands of ‘Amr b. Budayl b. Warga’al-Khuzi'i, one ofthe Companions of the Prophet, and ‘Abd al-Rahmin b. “Udays al- Toth Ther eter to [Ucnde) comalnt Ihe flowing statements}: “in the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. To proceed: Know that ‘God changes not what is in a people, until 130. Wadi al Qura ("The Valley of Towns’) in» ong depresion stretching sult om Msn, oly elie sh ed Se aa A the ae ‘les, several molor vais getlemente ofthe Etz ae Vested there, andthe pin ‘Spal tage rete to Syria ikewte traversed Tyr The tent eadsYabya b. Abbod un Abdallah bo Zubaye have followed de Geis emendation:Inroducto, Jeaie. BPRBREBEEEBBEEBwZE ‘The Events of the Yes 35 187 they change what is in themselves? So fear God, fear God! You tne fno tansltry word and you mut sek it fuliiment in ‘world to come, Do not forget your share in the world tocome, and be not tempted by this present life. Know, by God, that we have been angered for God's sake, and that we find satisfaction in God. now that we will not remove our swords from our shoulders ‘until you come to us either with frank and unambiguous repent- ance ot with outright falsehood. This is our statement to you, and this is our case against you. God will excuse us for our actions against you. Peace.” "The Medinese wrote to‘Uthmin, calling on him to repent, and sweating by God that they would not desist until they killed him ‘oF he fullilled his God-ordained obligations to them. ‘When ("Uthmin) feared he would be killed, he consulted his ‘advisers and the membero of his family (ah! baytihi) and ssid, "You see what the dissidents (qawmn) have done. What is the way ‘out?” They counseled him to send for‘Alib. Abi Talib and to ask hhim to eur the peopte away by granting their requests in order to stall them until reinforcements could get to him. ‘Uthman re- plied, “The dissidents will not be put off. My, promises were empty and {did nothing the first time they came +I give chem ty promise spain they will demand that I fulfil i." Marwan b. al-Hakam said, “O Commander of the Faithful, dealin discreetly ‘with them uatil you gain strength is preferable to struggling with them at close range. Give them what they ask and pat them off 90 logs hey delay nerd you They elle asinst You, so a no binding commitment from you : hmm set for “Al, and when Alt aried he eid to him, “"Abi Hasan, you see what the people have done and you know what I have done. [fear they may kill me, Send them away from ne an sweat 6 God that shall equi them fo eveything detest, and I will grant them justice against me or anyone the, even i my own Elood be shed thereby.” “All old, "The People desire your justice more than your death I see a band of 332. Guren 3: Pah bin ahdan wa. ged Kine na gacathien dma kn sett Cote oduct. st ob vee hamele 2 80 [2g87] a ZZ.{2988} 188 ‘The Crisis of the Early Caliphate ‘men (qawm) who will be content only with full satisfaction. When they first came to you, you gave them your promise in God's name that you would tum back from everything that they denounced, and thus you [were able to] send them away. Then yo failed to carry out any of that. Do not tempt me with any. thing this time, for Iwill give them justice against you." “Yes,” said"‘Uthman, "Give them jute, and by Godt wil erry it out in fll” So ‘Ali went out to the people and said, “O people, you have demanded justice and [now] itis granted to you. “Uthman claims that he will do you justice, whether it be against himeel{ or any- cone else, and that he will abandon everything that you detest ‘Accept this from him and affirm it” The people answered, "We accept it. Make a compact with him for us, for by God, we will not be content with words instead of deeds." ‘All said to them, {You will have it.” Then he entered "Uthman’s presence and told im the news, “Uthman said, “Arrange a delay between them and me so that I will have time to act, for I cannot do away withthe things they detest in one day.” “Ali responded, “There can be no delay con. ‘ceming matters here in Medina. As to matters elsewhere, you may delay a3 tong a8 it takes your orders to get there.” ‘Uthmnan id, “AI right, but give me a delay of three days for affaita in edna." “Ali agreed. Then he went to the people and informed them of this. He wrote out a document between {the people) and “Uthman that gave him a three-day grace period to do away with {very injustice and remove every governor whom they disliked. ‘Then he bound him in this document as tightly as God had ever bound one of His creatures by compact or covenant. ( Ai} had the document) witnessed by a body of the leading Emigrants and Helpers. ‘Thus, the people turned back from (Uthman) and withdrew until he should fulfill che promises chat he had feely given therm, But Uthman] began preparing for war and gathering arms. He had already formed a strong army from among the slaves acquired a3 Patt of the caliph’s one-fith share 33* When the three daye had 334. Wa-gad takbadhajundon‘cinan min taigl -Rhams, On he one th shat of Booty pa othe caliph, ae above note So" ‘The Events of the Year 35 189 sed and he had done nothing to alter anything which was Fatefl to the people orto remove any governor, they revolted a es ‘Khushub and informed them ofthe situation. He proceeded with them to Medina, where they sent to 'Uthman and said, “Did we not leave you when you claimed that you had repented of your ‘unlawful Innovations jabdath) and turned away from things hateful to us? Hate you not given us a compact and covenant before God?” He answered, “I have indeed, and | hold to that.’ Then Amr, Haz] sl, So what nth lenter that we found in ‘possession of your messenger, written by you to your gover- fat” [Uthnt) saponded a not wate and Jon now hat you a talking about.” They end “Te was your messenger fon your eae, alter writen] by your secretary and bearing your seal85'Uthman) replied, “As forthe camel it wa stolen, {One man’s] handweiting may resemble another's) As to the sea, it was forged.” J, "We will not act precipitously even though we sus- pect Remove humus your sal gover and ap fers over us who are not accused ff taking] our lives and property. Respond to our grievances.” ‘Uthman said, “How do 1 look if 1 name officials whom you desite and remove those hateful to you! Authority lama) would then belong to you.” They sid “By God, you must either do [what you promised, abdicate, or killed Se to things youself ot leave [em tous)” But he re, fused, saying, “am not one to remove a robe that God has plac ‘upon me.” So they besieged him for forty nights, and in the mean- time Talhah led the people in worship. - Tt was related to me by Ya'qib. Ibrahim—Ismi'itb-tbxahim— Ibn “Awn—al-Hasan—Waththab. According to (al-Hasan} (Waththab] was one of those manumitted by the Commander of the Faithful "Umar, and Isaw on his throat the scars of two stab wounds, ike a pait of leather thongs, which he had suffered on the Day of the House. According to Waththab ‘Uthman sent me to summon al-Ashtar and he came.336 Jap thr ep Ui‘ vecretay eile an Mar b aaa sido tocar ace ore, note : To MARU MDa ot acknamed a Asr, See, Vecs Ven la9891ta990} 190 The Cr is of the Early Caliphate Ibn ‘Awn thinks that Waththab went on as follows: I laid down 4 cushion for the Commander of the Faithful and another for (al- Ashtar). Then |"Uthman said, “Ashear, what do the people want from me?" “You cannot avoid doing one of three things,” he said. “What are they?” asked (‘Uthman}. (Al-Ashtat] said, “They ask ‘you to choose between {the following). You may turn their affairs over to them and say, ‘This is your affair; choose whomever you will for it.’ Second, you may have yourself punished. If you reject these two choices, then this band of men (qawm| will kill you.” (‘Uchman) replied, “As for my turning their affairs over to them, f ‘am not one to remove a robe that Almighty God has placed upon According to (ibn “Awn}, other authorities beside (Waththab) report |the following statement}: “By God, 1 would rather be brought out and beheaded than remove a shirt that God has placed upon me. | would be abandoning Mubammad’s Communi- ty to civil war.” According to fbn ‘Awn, thie more closely resern- bles what he said, (Continuing ‘Uchman’s statement:| “As for having myself punished, by God, you know that two of my associ- ates were punished before me, and my body cannot endure inishment.>”” As for your killing me, by God, ifyou kill me you will never again have love for one another, nor will you ever pray ‘together again, nor will you ever be united in fighting an enemy.” Al-Ashtar cose and hurried away, while we remained there for ‘some days. Then a little man came like a wolf, peered in through the door, and then left. Muhammad b, Abi Bakr came with thir- teen men and went up to 'Uthman. He seized his beard and shook it?" until J heard his teeth chattering. (Mubammad b. Abi Bak) said, ‘Mu'awiyah was no help to you, nor was Ibn ‘Amir nor your letters.” ('Uthman) said, “Let go of my beard, son of my brother! Let go of my beard!’ Then I saw (bn Abi Bake) signaling with his “al Asie®EF 1,70 Tews il ederim Kath end oe of theta rome tremor Sb ae adore praetor eat ereaer ronal Alston alent Sipps ‘his death in 7/658. i? 117. Pesomablyherlrto at Waldh ‘Unt and someone ce See stop. gael tater aaa) CL the ge acral anas as oy eclerey o the etony of Abs iki! mds eo dee at age 198 Facade Gen, td casei ab we ae ‘The Events of the Year 35 at tocne of the rebels (gawm). He came over to him with abroad fon headed anow and stabbed him in the hea wich i 1eha is Ibn “Awn] acked, “Then what happened!” (Waththab} replied, “They gathered round him and killed him.” ‘According to al-Waqidi— Yabya b. ‘Abd al Aziz—Ja'fa b. Mab- ‘mmid—Muhammad b, Maslamah: I set out with a band of my {fellow tribesmen (awn to meet the Egyptians. They were led By four chieis: ‘Abd al-Rabman b. ‘Udeys al-Balawi, Sidan b. Humain al-Muradi, ‘Amr b. al-Hamiq al-Khuzi'i—whose name became so dominant that (the force) was called “the army of fbn al-Hamiq’®°—and Ibn al-Niba’. I entered their presence as the four of them werein a tent, and I saw thatthe people (a-nds} were {following them. | stressed “Uthmin's rights and the oath of alle- ‘ance that lay upon their necks. filled thera with a dread of civil ‘war (fitnah}, and informed them that (‘Uthmin’s} murder was grave matter, concerning which there was much dissension, "Do fot be the first to open the gate of discord.®© He will turn away {rom those practices for which you have criticized him, and I will bbe the guarantor of that.” The diasidents said, “And what if he doesnot desist” answered Then dhe mis ie up te 7 ‘They went away satistied, and I retumed to ‘Uthmin "Grant mea private uence” He did so. I said, “Fear God, “Uthmin, fear God for your life! Verily these people have only ‘come seeking your blood, and you see how your associates have abandoned you. Worse, they are going over to your enemy.” He ‘is consent and ssked God to requite me. "Then {departed from him, but remained lin Medina] s0 long a8 God willed. ‘Uthman had spoken {to me} about the Egyptians’ retum (to Dh Khushubl, he mentioned that they had come for ‘one thing but had obtained something else and then departed. 1 ‘wanted to come and rebuke him, but I kept silent. Suddenly ‘someone said, “The Egyptians have arrived and are in al- Suwaydi" I said, “ls i true, what you say?” “Yes,” he replied. “Uthman sent to me, forthe news had reached him, and the dissi- ‘Cacunl, Annals, Vl 175. Ax cmended the sentence would sek urged no hada ks hela hota kana yuh lyse ‘bat Samat oO papa note fa903) {2992) &lagoa} im ‘The Crisis of the Early Caliphate ents (gawm) had made camp in Dh Rhushub at that very mo- ent. (‘Uthmin) said, “Abo ‘Abd al-Rahman, these diserlens ‘awe retuned. What should be done about them?” I responded, (BY God, 1 do not know, but I do not think they have core back for any good purpose.” (‘Uthman] said, “Go out to them and send them aveay.” “No, by God, Lwill not,” said. “Why?” he asked 1 said, “Because I assured them that you would desiet from cestain matters, and you have not desisted from a single letter of thers ™ He said, "God is the one whose aid we seek." I went out, while the dissidents came and established themselves in al-Aswaf and laid siege to ‘Uthmia, ‘Abd l-Rahman b. 'Udays came tome, accompanied by Sadin b. ‘Human and his to comrades, They said, "Aba‘Abd al Rabman, Goyou not know that you spoke tous and sent us away! And you claimed that our companion [that is, ‘Uthman] would cease fe reprehensible actsi”” “Yes indeed,” I said, Then they showed short letter to me, there was a lead tube, and they were saying, “We found one of the alms-tax camels being ridden by ‘Uthmeines slave, We seized his belongings and searched him, and we found {his letter on him. I contains the following: ‘inthe name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. To proceed: “Abd al-Rabinan ». "Udays comes to you, give him a hundred lashes. Shave his head and beard, and keep him in confinement until my orders reach Sidén b. Humrin, and ‘Nibit al-Laythi,” I said, “How do you know that ” They responded, “Suppose Marwan has thman’s knowledge. That would be worse, md he must remove himself from office.” They added, “Hurry to hhim with us, We have spoken to ‘Ali, and he has promised us thet he will speak with him at the noon prayer” We came to Sa'd b. Abi Waqqis, but he said, “twill not inter- vene in your affair.” We came to Said b. Zayd b. ‘Amt b, Nulayl, and be sald the same thing. Mubammad (b. Maslamah] asked, “Where did “Ali promise you the would act!” "He promised us that he would go and see ('Uthman} at the noon prayer,” they answered, According to Mubammad (b. Maslamahj: 1 performed the rayer with ‘Ali; then he and | entered (‘Uthman’s} presence and said, “These Egyptians are at the door, so give them leave [to ‘The Events of the Year 35 193 come in|” Now Marwan was sitting with him, and he sad, "May 1 be thy ransom. Permit me to speak to them.” “Uthiin re- sponded, “May God leave you openmouthed! Get away from me You have nothing to say about this matter.” So Marwan went out, and ‘All came in to see him. The Egyptians had told him what they had told me, snd ‘ALI began to inform ["Uthman} what they hhad discovered in the letter. (Uthman) started to swear by God that he had not written or known about or sought advice concem- ing (this leter), Mubamamad b. Maslamah [that i, the narrator of this incident) sald, “By God he is celling che eruth, Thin fs Mar- 's doing.”‘Ali sid, “Then have them come in and hear your pean man wen wp fA and si, “We ae Kien through the female lineage.#! By God, if you were in this situs: thon eval ceenete you from it. Go out and speak to them, for they wil listen to you,” But Ali epic, “Iwill not doit Rather, have them enters that you may present your excuses to them (Uthmén said, “Have them come in.” Uc Mima ana: 9 tts hey entered, but they did not give him the greeting appropriate to @ cali Teen {Ryo thet 5 wo on Rea ere ge wunual “greetings, and then Ibn “Udays stepped. forward as, spokesman for the dissidents, He mentioned what tbn Sa'd had done in Egypt, recalling his unjust treatment of the Muslims and the protected peoples, and noting his appropriation of the Mus- Jima’ booty for himself alone. And when he was tld about that, hie said, “These are the written orders of the Commander of the Faithful.” Then they mentioned innovations which {Uth had instituted in’ Medina—things opposed by his two predecessors : “Udays)osid, “We journeyed from Egypt seeking nothing bet your Hood rd nda then share Ae nat ‘mad b, Maslamah sent us back, and Mubammad assured s that everything we had complained about would be ended,” Then they tumed toward Mohammad b. Maslamiah and asked, “Did you tell us that?” According to Mubammad, "I said that 1 had.” (tbo "Udays continued:! “Then we setumed to our country, calling 14 Tome I gatdbotan wa rahiman Lasos1 bs[2995] 194 ‘The Crisis of the Early Caliphate upon Almighty God for help against you, because we had over- whelming proof [for our claims}. Then ‘when we were in al- Buwayb*#2 we apprehended your slave and seized the letter under Your seal to'Abiiallihb.Sa'd, in which you order him to flog us, to disfigure us by cutting off our hair, and to imprison us for long terms. Here is your letter.” “Uthman praised and extolled God, Then he said, “By God I did ‘not write it, I did not order it to be writen], Edid not take counsel about it, I did not know about it.” According to Mubammad (b. Maslamah|: ‘AH and 1 both said, “He is telling the truth.” "Uthman was relieved at this, ‘The Egyptians asked, “So who wrote itt” Uthman) responded, “don’t know.” {bn "Udays} continued, “Can anyone treat you 20 audaciously that your slave is sent on a camel paid by the Mus- Jims as alms tax, your seal is forged, and your governor is written to concerning these grave matters, while you know nothing!” ‘"¥es,"he replied. They said, “A man like you should not govern. Remove yourself from this office (amr), a8 God has removed you ‘rom it.” (‘Uthman) replied, “4 shall not remove a shire that Al- mighty God has placed upon me.” The shouting end noise grew louder, and I {that is, the narrator, Mubammad b. Maslamah) thought that they would not leave without attacking him. Then “All arose and went out, and when he stood up I did the same. He told the Egyptians to go and they did so.‘Aliand leach retumed to our own homes, but they broke off their siege of (‘Uthman| only when they had killed him. ‘According to Mubammad b, ‘Umar (al-Wagidi}—‘Abdallah b,al- arith b. al-Fudayl—his father—Sulyin b. Abi al’Aw)a’: When the Egyptians came the fist time, ‘Uthman spoke to Muhammad b, Maslamab, and he set out with fifty horsemen from among the Helpers. Having reached them at Dh Khushub, (Mubammad} sent them away. The dissidents (qawm) went as far as al-Buwayb, where they came upon a slave of Uthman carrying a letter to ‘Abdallah b. Sad. They turned round and went back to Medina, where al-Ashtar and Hukaym b. Jabalah had stayed behind. They “302 war sie mae a mewn kara wa ‘According to Yb, a Buraybie the plece where te ies enter Egypt Figen of Btdae 1 es ‘The Events of the Year 35 19s resented the leter, but ‘Uthman denied that he had written ‘This is forgery,” he said “The letter is written by your scribe,” they replied. “Indeed,” sad ‘Uthman], “but he did not write ton ray orders." They said “The messenger on whom we discovered the leter is your slave.” "That is 20,” he eaid, “but he set out Without my permission.” “The camel is your camel,” they said “"¥es," he replied, “but it was taken without my knowledge They sad, “You are either truthful or alia. you are lying, you deserve to be deposed because you have unjustly ordered out Hood to be shed. f you are telling the truth you deserve to be deposed because of your weakness and neglect, as well as the wickedness of your entourage, It is not right that we allow some- ‘one whose commands are ignored due to his weakness and rne- lect to have authority over us."2 They continued, “You have beaten some of the Prophet's Companions and others when, in denouncing various acts of yours, they have admonished you and Commanded you to return to righteousness. Have yourself chae- tised, then, in recompense for those whom you have wrongtully beaten.” He answered, “The imim both erre and acts tightly. { hall not have myself chastised, because if I accepted retaliation for everyone against whom Ihave acted in error, I would be destroyed." ‘They said, “You have introduced grave innovations, and for them you deserve to be deposed, When people spoke to you about them, you declared your repentance, but then you did the same things again, Then we came to you and you claimed thet you would repent and return to righteousness, Mubammad b. Ma lamah remonstrated with us on your behalf and gave us guaran- tees as to what would happen. But you betrayed him, and he declared that he would have nothing more to do with you, We retumed [to Egypt] the firet time in order to deprive you of any pictext and to give you every possible excuse, even as we sought the aid of Almighty God against you. Then we intercepted «letter from you to your governor over Us, in which you ordered him to 4eill ond mutilate and crucify us. You allege that (this letcer) wa ‘writen without your knowledge. But it was carried by youre Yenbaght land on natrika ‘ala rigebind man yagtatew mithha Tarr tea a gho [ag96}hgo7 196 ‘The Crisis of the Early Calipl on your camel, it was written in the hand of your scribe, and it bore your seal. All this has aroused ugly suspicions against you, together with what we already knew about your tyrannical rae, your selfishness in sharing out (booty), your freehanded punish- ments against the people, and your feigned repentance followed by reversion to error. We went away, but we should not have gone before deposing you and replacing you with a Companion of the Messenger of God—a man who had not introduced the innova tions that we have endured from you, and who is not subject to the suspicion that falls upon you. Give back our caliphate and abdicate, for that is our surest recourse against you and your surest recourse against us.” “Uthman said, "Have you said everything you wanted to say” “Yes,” they answered. He sai, “Praise be to God! I praise Him and seck His aid. believe in Him, I place my trust in Him, and I bear ‘witness that there is no deity save God alone, Who has no part- it Muhammad is His servant and messenger. “He sent hhim with guidance and the religion of truth, that he may uplift it above every religion, though the unbelievers be averse.** To proceed: You have struck the balance neither in speech nor in jdament. As for your tellinx me to abdicate I shall not remo shirt that Almighty God has placed upon me, and by which He has honored me and set me apart from others. However, Iwill repent and desist [from sin], and I will never again do anything that the Muslims find blameworthy. By God, ama man who needs God and fears Him.” “They said, “Were this the first innovation that you had intro- duced, and had you then repented and not repeated it, we would hhave to accept [your repentance] and depart from you. But you know of previous innovations on your part. When we departed from you the first time, neither we nor the man through whom you had excused your conduct {namely, Muhammad b, Mas- lamah] suspected that you would write the things that we found in the letter carried by your slave. How can we accept your repentance when we know by experience that as soon as you display repentance for a sin, you do it again? We shall not depart 344: Qur'an 9:33 The Events of the Year 35 197 from you now} until we have deposed you and replaced you. If ‘your supporters—fellow tribesmen (min qawikal, kinemen, or ‘men devoted to you—choose battle, then we shall fight them ‘until we reach you and kill you, oruntil you diepatch our souls to God" "Uthman responded, “As for surrendering my office limérah 1 ‘would rather be crucified than give up the mandate (amr) of Al- ‘mighty God and His caliphate (khilafatuhu). As for your state- ‘ment that you will fight whoever defends me, I shall not order ‘anyone to fight you. Whoever fights for me will not do 80 on my ‘orders, By my life, if wished to fight you, I would have written to the commanders ofthe garrisons. and they would have brought troops and dispatched men {to my aid I might also have linked ‘up with my supporters** in Egypt or iraq, Feat God, fear God and save youtsclves. If you do not spare my life if you kill me, you will bring about bloodshed by this affair.” Then they departed from him, warning him that wer would come. He sent to Mubam- mad b, Maslamab and told him to send them away. (Mubammad] replied, "By God, 1 do not lie to God twice in one year.” ‘According to Mubemmad b. ‘Umar al-Wagidi|—Mubammad b. ‘Muslim—Misi b, ‘Ugbah— Aba Habibah: On the day ‘Uthmin ‘was killed, I saw Sa'd b. Abi Waggas go in to hima, Then he came ‘ut, saying "To God we belong and to Him we shall return,” on account of what he saw at ‘Uthmén’s} door. Marwan said tohira, "Now you are sorry, but you have slain him.” 1 [that is, the narrator Abi Habibah] heard Sa'd say, “I beg God's forgiveness. 1 did not imagine that the people would dare to demand his blood. 1 ‘came before him just now, and he made a statement that neither ‘you nor your conarades heard. He renounced al his reprehensible actions and manifested repentance. He ssid, I will not keep on toward ruin, for he who persists in tyranny is very far from the [true] path. {shall repent and desist from evil” Marwin said, “If you mean to defend (Uthmin}, you must get bn Abi Talib, but he has secluded himself and will not be spoken to.” ‘Sa'd left and went to Ali, who was in the mosque] between the {Prophet's} tomb and the pulpit. He said, “Get up, Aba Hasan. 345 Following she propaned emendaion, 297, nove 3M Ata ace de Code, cess Iag98}{2990} 198 ‘The Crisis of the Early Caliphate ‘May my father and mother be your ransom. By God, I bring you the best news anyone has ever received. Take care of your cousin, deal kindly with him, spare his blood, andthe situation wil again be as we desire. Your caliph has given us] satisfaction of his own {ree will.” “Ali responded, “May God hear him, Abi Ishaq. By God, T have persisted in defending him until { am filled with shame. But Marwan, Mu'awiyah, ‘Abdallah b ‘Amir, and Said b, +s have dealt with him a8 you see. When I gave him sincere counsel and directed him to send them sway, he became ous. Picious of me, until what you now see has happened.” While (Sad and ‘Ali] were thus engaged, Mubammad b. Abi Bakr came and whispered to ‘All Then “Ali took my hand and arose, saying, “"What good is his repentance now?" And by God, I [that is, the narrator Abi Habibab] no sooner reached my house than {heard the ery that ‘Uthman had been killed. And by God, we have re- ‘mained in an evil state down to this day.” ‘According to Muhammad b, "Umar (a-Wagidi]-—Shurabbil b. ‘Abi ‘AWwn?—Yazid b, Abi Habib—Aba al-Khayr.%® When the Egyptians set our against ‘Uthman, “Abdallah b, S4'd sent a mes- senget posthaste to inform him of their departure and to tell him that they were pretending to undertake the Lesser Pilgrimage ‘The messenger having reached “Uthman b. ‘Adfan with this news, “Uthman in tum sent to the Meccans to warn them against these Egyptians and to inform them that (the Egyptians) had slandered their imam. Then ‘Abdallah bSa'd eevout toward ‘Uthmin on the heels ofthe Egyptians, having sought and received his permission tocome to him, Upon reaching Aylah,>* Ibn Sa'd learned thatthe Egyptians had returned agsinst‘Uthman and put him under siege ‘Now Mubammad b. Abi Hudhaylah was in Egypt) when he hheard that ‘Uchimén was under siege and that ‘Abdallah b. Sad had, left the country), he seized power in Egypt, and (the Egyptians) 147. Emended in accordance with de Goes. atoductio,dexax, ‘Martad b"Abellah al Yazant. See de Gocte,Intuodwctio deaai, Mo. Aah: niblical lath, modern al°Aqabsh.A small ore located atthe heed ‘ofthe Gull of “Aaabah. In ancieoe and eatlyIlamie times, wat porpetous the Red ea trade with ya, ab well the crosreade of the Pl im Egypt and Damascus. See HW. Cliden,-al-Aksba,” “Avy” Es ieynanas, 781d, There sre now important exeavations a this sic by the Orie tal taslite, Univesty of Cheapo ‘The Events of the Year 35 199 ‘submitted to his authority. ‘Abdallah b, Sa'd tumed back toward Egypt, but Ibn Abi Hudhayfah fended him off. Thus, he made his ‘way (o Palestine and resided there until ‘Uthmdn was murdered. ‘The Egyptians advanced and made camp at al-Aswaf, and laid siege to ‘Uthman, Hukaym b, Jabalah came from Bagrah with a ‘troop of horsemen, and al-Ashtar arrived with the KGfane. (All three parties) met in Medina, then al-Ashtar and Hukayma b Jaba- lah withdrew, so that fbn “Udays and his comrades, numbering 00 men, were the ones besieging ‘Uthman. They sustained the siege for forty-nine days, until at last he was killed on Friday, cighteen nights having passed in Db al-Hijjah, in the year 35 (17 June 656). ‘According to Mubammad (b, ‘Umar al-Waqii}—Ibrihim b. Si- lim—his father—Busr b. Se"id—'Abdallah b. ‘Ayyash b. Abi Rabi'ah:#®© I entered ‘Uthman’s presence and talked with him for ‘an hour. He said, “Come, Ibn ‘Ayyash,” and he took me by the hhand and had me listen to what the people at his door were saying We heard some say, “What are you waiting for,” while others were saying, “Wait, pethaps he will repent.” While the two of us were standing there, Talhah b. ‘Ubaydallah passed by, he stopped and 28i4, “Where ls Ibu “Uday?” He was told, “He isaver there.” Ibn ‘Udays came over to (Talhah) and whispered some- thing to him, then he went back to his comrades and said, "Do rnot let anyone go in (o see this man or leave his house.” ‘Uthmin said to me, “These are Talhah b. ‘Ubaydallah’s or- ders." He continued: '"O God, protect me from Talbah b. ‘Ubaydallah, for he has incited all these people against me. By God, I hope nothing will come of it and that his blood will be shed. He has abused me unlawfully, I heard the Messenger of God ‘sty, “The blood of a Muslim is lawful only in three cases: a man ‘who disbelieves after having professed Islam is put to death, ‘man who commits adultery is stoned, a man who kills except in Jegitimate retaliation for another is put to death.®5) So why should 1 be killed?” Then ‘Uthmén went back [into the house). 380; Reading “Bar” instead of “ish” and ““Ayydah” inateed of “Aa,” in scordance with de Goef, Introduce, daa, 351. The last clause quoted from Qurin§:35. The cones spiteant tn view ofthe charge lid against “Uchmin by his opponents oce ale below, I {3000}{3001} 200 ‘The Crisis of the Early Caliphate According to Ibn “Ayyash: I wanted to leave, but they blocked ‘my path until Mubammad b, Abi Bake passed by and said, "Let him go.” They did so. According to Muhammad (b. ‘Umar al-Waqidi)—Ya'qub b. “Abdallah al-Ash‘ari—Ja'farb. Abi al-Mughirah-—Sa'idb, “Abd al- Rabmin b. Abzay—his father: I witneased the day they went in against “Uthman. They entered the house through an opening in the residence of ‘Amr b, Hazm, Thete was some skirmishing and then they got in. By God, I have not forgotten that Sidin b. Humran came out and I heard him say, “Where is Talbah b. “Ubaydallaht We have killed Ibn ‘Affan!™ ‘According to Mubammad b. ‘Umar (al: Wagidi|—Shurabbit b Abi ‘Awn—his father—Abd Hafgeh al-Yamini: I used to belong to. Bedouin. Marwin liked me and purchased me along with my wile and son, and then freed us all. used to accompany him, When ‘Uthmin was put under siege, the Ban Umayyah prepared to defend him, and Marwan entered the (aliphs| residence [and stayed) with him. 1 too was there. By God, Tinitated the among the people by throwing a stone} from the roof of the house at a man of [the tribe of] Aslam named Niyar and killed him. ‘Then fighting broke out and I descended. The people battled at the door, and Marwan fought until he fll down. leartied him off nd brought him into the house ofan old woman end locked him in, The people set fires at the doors of 'Uthmdn’s residence, and ‘one of them was set ablaze. “Uthman aaid, “The buming door only signals something more cerrible 35 None of you must raise his hand {to resist them). For by God if t were the furthest of you all rom them, they would walk over you to kill me, and if1 were the closest of you to them, they would not go past me. 1 will endure patiently, a5 the Messenger of God enjoined upon me. I shall suffer the death that Almighty God has decreed for me (ka- taba Ii)" Marwan said, "By God, you shall not be killed while I yet ‘Then, sword in hand, he went toward the door reciting this pocm as prover: £23 "Whoever las a soul ott retaliate for sul lain, nr for corapion Arne inthe ands af be ha sin mari aogier "2: Md ibtaraga bbb lina bane came mia The Events of the Year 35 ror ‘The woman with the flowing hair, the soft palm and fingertips, Knows that I strike fear in the vanguard, fon a steed quick as the gata-bird inthe well-watered valley. 358 ‘According to Mubammad (b. ‘Umar al-Waqidi}—' Abdallah b. arith b. al-Fudayl—his father—Abi Halgah: On Thursday 1 ‘dropped a stone from the soof of the house and killed a man of fthe tribe off Aslam named Niydr, They sent to ‘Uthman and de ‘manded his murderer. "‘Uthmnan] responded, "Ido not know who killed him.” They spent the night before Friday (that is, Thursday evening] berating us like fire. In the morning they attacked, and the first one to climb onto our roofs was Kindnah b. "Attab, hold: nga torch. They way had been opened for him through the house of the Hazm clan, Then naphtha-soaked firebrands penetrated [the compound) right behind him. We fought them for a hour, standing on blazing wood. I heard ‘Uthman say to his compan ons, “After the fire there will be nothing. The wood has burned, the doors have burned. Whoever still obeys me must cling to his ‘own house. The rebels (qawmn) are only after me. They will repent of killing me. By God, even if they left me alone, I believe l would ‘not wish to live. My health is ruined, my teeth have fallen out and my bones have weakened.” ‘Then he said to Marwan, “Sit down. Do not go out.” But Mar- wan disobeyed him and said, "By God, you will not be killed and ‘no one will get to you while I cam yet hear.” Then he went out ‘against the people. | said, “I cannot abandon my master,” and 1 ‘went out alongside him to defend him. We were only a few men, and I heard Marwan reciting: ‘The woman with the flowing hair, the soft palm and fingertips knows, Then he shouted, “Who will step forth against mel?” He raised the bottom of his mailed shirt {dir} and tacked it in his belt. bn 4l-Niba jumped on him and struck him down from behind with a 353, Not an eany verte cCactan, Ann, Vl, 183, De Gock’s romored gmmendation of ors (1 urge on) stead of aria igiuen is ocd, ee Saladin, Ansab.V,75, cea the same lines with arte [3002] {3003}[y004) 202 ‘The Crisis of the Early Caliphate blow on his neck. No pulse could be detected, and I brought him into the house of Fajimah bt. Aws, the grandmother of Ibrahim b. al Adi. Abd al-Malik and the Band Umayyah always remembered the clan of al-‘Adi for that. 1k was related to me by Ahmad b. ‘Uthman b. Hakim—‘Abd al- Rahman b. Sharik—his father—Mubammad b. Ishiq—Ya'qab b. “Uthah b. al-Akkhnas—tbn al-Harith b. Abi Bakr—his father, Aba Bake b. al-Harith b. Hisham: I can still see?** “Abd al-Rahmaan b. “Udays al-Balawi as he was leaning with his back against the ‘mosque of God's Prophet, while ‘Uchman lay besieged. Marwan b. al-Hakam emerged and said, “Who will step forth [against me)?” “Abd al-Rahman b, ‘Udays said to some son of "Urwah, “Go fight this man.” A tall young slave rose to fight him, seized the edge of his maited shirt, and stabbed him in his girdle, His ehigh was ‘unprotected, and Marwan lunged at him, but ‘Urvah’e son struck hhim on the neck. I can still see him twisting around, and "Ubayd 'b. Rifa’ah al-Zuragi rose up to finish him off. But Fatimah be, Aws, the grandmother of Ibrahim b. ‘Adi (sic), leaped on hin. She had ‘nursed Marwin and his children, and she said, “If you only want +o kill dhe man, he has already been killed. But if you mean to toy with his flesh, that is shameful.” So he left him alone, and (the Bani Umayyah) were grateful to her ever after. Later on, they appointed her son tbrahim a governor. ‘According to Ibn Ishaq: When ‘Abd al-Rabman b, ‘Udays al- Balawi set out from Egypt for Medina, he said: From Bilbays and Upper Egypt (the she-camels) came, their flanks covered in chain mail, Demanding God's due against Sa‘id until they brought back what we sought for. Ic was related to me by Ja‘far b. ‘Abdallah al-Muhammadi— “Amt b. Hammad and ‘Alb. Husayn—Husayn b. ‘lsi—his father: When the three days following the Feast of Sacrifice®55 had passed 0 aon were ooking at spy afer, se dace day ho a ah allowing. 5-Ayvrna:-Tashta heehee day from 1 0 15 DO a se ual sate a Adal whieh takes place on ro Dba nh Tose dye fepresent the lay atthe conclsion of the Rlgamage tes proper. See A ‘Wensinck and ory, tisdih"£P Ui yee ‘The Events of the Year 35 203 {the rebels) surrounded “Uthman’s house, but he insisted on re- ‘taining his office, and sent to assemble his retainers and close associates (bashamuhu wa-khagsatuha]. One of the Prophet's ‘Companions, a venerable old man named Niyarb.‘lyid, arose and called out, ‘"Uthmant” (‘Uthman) looked down at him from the oof of his house. (Niyar) reminded him of God and implored him in God's namne to dissociate himself from (his evil associates). 356 ‘And while he was speaking, one of ‘Uthman's associates shot and killed him with an arrow. ‘Uthman’s opponents) claimed that the ‘man who shot him was Kathir bat Salt al-Kindi, and at this they id to "Uthmin, "Turn the murderer of Niyat b.‘lyid over to us ‘that we may kill him in retaliation.” He replied, "I will not kill a ‘man who has defended me while you intend to murder me.” ‘When they perceived this they rushed at "Uthmin’s} door and set it ablaze. Marwan b, al-Hakam emerged from ‘Uthmén’s 1 dence leading a band of men against them. Sa'id b. alAg and ‘Mughirah b. al-Akhnas b. Shariq al-Thagafi, the ally of the Band, ‘Zuhrah, both did the same, and the fighting raged fiercely. ‘They were driven to fight by the news that reinforcements from Basrah had made camp in Sidr, a night’s joumey from Medina, while the Syrians were approaching as well. Thus, they fought bitterly at the door of the house, and al-Mughirah b al-Akhnas al- ‘Thagafi attacked the rebels (qawm, reciting: A lovely serving girl, ‘Adored with necklace and anklets, Knows my skill with the sword blade. He was assailed in tar by ‘Abdallah b. Budayl b, Wargi’ al- Khuzi'i, who was saying: Hf you wield the sword a8 you say, stand fast against a noble opponent who attacks Bearing a Mashrafi sword with polished edge. “Abdallah struck and killed (aMughirah), and Rifi'ah b. Rafi’ of the clan of Zurayq among the Angir,*57 charged Marwan b. al: 356.fo-neshadah ‘aha wa dhatkorabu ‘tha lama Ftaralahom For thie ih Arabic Grommex, H, 339D-340A. See alto de Goce, Intoduetio, densi 1397, Zuaya was a clan inthe wie of Khaz, one ofthe two main Medinese roost g &3006] 204 ‘The Crisis of the Early Caliphate Hakam and struck him down, He drew back from him, thinking hhe had killed him. ‘Abdallah b. alZubayr sulfered mumetous Wounds, "Uthman’s supporters (al-qawe} were routed and re. treated toward the palace (qast) At the door they held fast and fought a fierce battle there. In the battle at the door, Ziyad b. Nu‘aym al-Fihri was killed, along with several other companions of “Uthiin. The people continued to fight until ‘Amr by i of his residence, which lay adjacent to ‘Uthman b. ‘Alfan’s. He shouted to the people, and they advanced through his house against (the defenders of 'Uthman} fighting them in the eourtyard of [Uthman’s] house until they fled and the door was abandoned to lthe cebels). (The defenders) fled into the streets of Medina, {hile "Uchinan remained behind with a few associates and mem: bers of his household. ‘Uthman was killed, and they were killed along with him. 1K was related to me by Ya‘qub b. tbrihim—Mu'tamir b Sulay- man al-Taymi—his father—Aba Nedrah—Abi Sa'd, the client (ava) of Abit Usayd al-Angari: One day ‘Uthman gezed down ‘upon them [from his rooftop] and said, “Peace be upon you.” But hhe heard no reply from any of the people, unless someone Perchance responded silently. (‘Uthmaa) said, “I adjure you by God, do you know that with my own money 1 purchased [the well] of Rumah, highly esteemed for its sweet water, and that 1 ‘ade it available to every Muslim.35* "Yes," they answered. He said, “Why am 1 kept from drinking from it, 60 that I have to break my fasting with salt water? Ladjure you by God, do you know that I bought such-and-such a piece of land and added it to the [Prophet's] mosque?” “Yes,” they said. He went on, “And do you know anyone among the people except me who is prevented from worshipping there? I adjure you by God, did you heat the Prophet of God mention euch things concerning ie ot did God mention the like in His clear Book?” Calls for restiaint spread, ‘and the people began to say, “Let us go easy with the Commande? 358. Fd isha mind heh raul min ‘Timastiina, ity "1 made ny rope fom ike the rope of any rman mong the Mle ‘The Events of the Year 35 205 of the Faithful.” Then al-Ashtar arose—t do not know whether it was that day or another—and said, “Perhaps (Uthmin) has de- ceived you.” The people trampled him underfoot and he encoun- tered rough treatment.35? Another time I {that is, Aba Sa‘id| saw him looking down at (his opponents). He exhorted and admonished them, but his exhort: tions made no impression on them. [His] preaching used to affect the people the first time they heard it, bt when it was repeated it ‘had no impact. Then ('Uthman} opened the door and placed the ‘Qur'an before him. He did this, having dreamed during the night that God's Prophet was saying [to him), “Break the fast with-us tonight.”350 According to AbG al-Mu'tamir—al-Hasan: Muhammad b, Abi Bakr went up to him and seized his beard, saying, “You have behaved toward us in a manner which Ab Bake would not have dofie.” Then he went out and left him. Another man, named the Black Death, entered (‘Uthman's} presence and throttled him and slapped hitn.26! Then he went out and said, “By God, Lhave never ‘een anything softer than his throat. By God, I throttled him until { saw his soul shaking in his body like the soul of a jinn.” Then he ‘went out, ‘According to Abi Sa‘id's account: A certain man went in to “Uchmin, in front of whom lay the Qur'an, and he said, "The ‘Book of God is between you and me.” The intruder} went for him with his sword; Uthmin} protected himself with his hand and it was cut. Ido not know whether he sliced (the hand) clear off ot {cut it without severing it. Then he said, “Yea, by God, this is the first palm which has crossed the Qur'an.”" According to an account besides that of Aba Sa'id: ALTujibi went in to (‘Uthman) and wounded him with a broad iron-tipped arrow, and his blood dripped on this verse: “God will suffice you for them; He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing,"96? (The blood) Fe wat ahu “rntsa batts laiya Kaha wa dha The’ mol of mas dt fe alge yi Balch, Ansab, Vota ‘one coh head intn noone vey wis ene "Sarangi eect het reise nod {3007} 54