Author: Shukran Ahmadi
The Biography of Hazrat Ali “A.S” (Part 13)
The height of sedition
Here, we summarize the story of the rise of sedition and the martyrdom of Hazrat Ali (MAPH) while he was besieged in his house, relying on the book “AL-Badaya AL-Nahaya” by Ibn Kasir (may Allah have mercy on him): There was a group in Egypt, they had an enmity with Hazrat Usman and said inappropriate words about him. They criticized him for dismissing a group of the elders of the Companions and appointing those who are in a lower rank to drive them with the authority of these positions. The people of Egypt did not like the governorship of Abdullah bin Saad bin Abi Sarh after the dismissal of Amro bin As, so Abdullah bin Saad gave up and started Jihad with the people of Maghreb and the conquest of Berber lands, Vandals and Africa. On the other hand, in Egypt, a group of members of the Companions incited the people against Usman (may Allah be pleased with them) and encouraged them to fight with him, the most famous of whom were Muhammad bin Abi Bakr and Muhammad bin Abi Huzaifa. These two people prepared an army and in the month of Rajab, apparently to perform Umrah, but in reality, to cause chaos and protest against Usman (MAPH), Abdullah bin Saad bin Abi Sarh informed Usman (MAPH) that this group apparently, they come to Madinah to perform Umrah, but inwardly they want to rebel.
When this group reached Medina, Usman (MAPH) sent Ali (MAPH) to rush to them and return them from there before they entered Medina. But Hazrat Ali (MAPH) voluntarily announced his readiness, so Hazrat Usman (MAPH) represented him and sent them a promise of trusted people who also accompanied him, Hazrat Ali (MAPH) met with them in Jafah, they respected Hazrat Ali (MAPH) very much and they used to exaggerate in this matter. Hazrat Ali (MAPH) reprimanded and criticized them, while they were blaming each other, they pointed to Hazrat Ali (MAPH) and said: Is this the one who fought against the Amir because of him, and through him you are protesting against the Amir? Hazrat Ali (MAPH) asked the reason for their rebellion, they mentioned the cases that Hazrat Ali (MAPH) answered them on behalf of Hazrat Usman (MAPH) and explained to them the reason for those actions and then blamed them for this inappropriate action and Return from there. In this way, they returned from there and did not reach their evil goal. Ali (MAPH) returned to Usman (MAPH) and informed him of their return, after which Hazrat Ali (MAPH) offered him some suggestions and Hazrat Usman (MAPH) accepted his benevolent proposals with his heart and soul.
Some time passed and once again the leaders of the opposition groups from Egypt, Basra and Kufa corresponded with each other about rebellion and movement towards Madinah, and in order for their call to be more effective among the ignorant people, they forged letters in front of them and in the name of the great companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) who were in Madinah. They were saying that they wanted to rise against the caliph and move towards Madinah. As a result, the Egyptians attacked the city of Medina in Shawwal of 35 AH while pretending that they were going for the Hajj ceremony and besieged it. Many researchers are of the opinion that Abdullah Bin Sabai was a Jew who was from Sana’a in Yemen and pretended to be a Muslim. He was the main focus of this sedition and had an active role in inciting the people against Usman forging a false letter.
The people of Madinah and his companions criticized them and prevented them from entering Madinah and tried to turn them back. When they were disappointed to enter, they resorted to trickery and apparently started to retreat. The people of Medina returned to their homes with full confidence and were sure that they had truly returned and given up their will. But it wasn’t long before the rebels came back and surprised them, even Hazrat Ali (MAPH) said to the people of Egypt: What happened to you after you left here and gave up your vote that you came back again? They answered that on the way we received a letter from a messenger in which the order to kill us was issued. When the people of Basra and Kufa were asked, they also gave the same answer and the people of other cities said, I have come to help our friends. The companions said to them: How did you find out about the condition of their companions, when you were separated from each other and you heard about the distance from them on the way of several miles? Indeed, this is a conspiracy that you have agreed with each other in advance.
