THE BATTLE OF
THE CAMEL
Written By
SHAIKH MIR ASEDULLAH QUADRI
Sahih Iman Publication
i
Copyright © SAHIH IMAN 2019
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
transmitted, in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher,
nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is
published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
ii
PREFACE
الرحمن الرحي ِم
ِِ ِبسم هللا
ن
ِ والصالة والسالم على سيدنا محم ِد وعلى آله وصحبه أجمعي،ب العالمين
ِ الحم ِد هلل ر
Whenever there is a tribulation ()فتنه, there are some camouflaged ring leaders who
create disorder to achieve their selfish objectives. They manage to hide their intentions
from public. For this purpose they create confusion among peoples' ranks. The battle of
Camel was the result of this confusion. Simple minded people and Sahabah were
brainwashed by the sustained misinformation campaign which resulted in widespread
division among the opinions of Sahabah and general people. The conspirators' strategy
polluted the peaceful atmosphere and they succeeded in mass killing of Muslims
during the Battle of Camel.
We have described facts in this booklet as contained in authentic Islamic literature.
Ahadith, Quranic verses and Scholars' opinions have been cited wherever required.
iii
CONTENTS
THE BACKGROUND OF THE BATTLE OF THE CAMEL 1
THE REAL ACTORS BEHIND THE BATTLE OF CAMEL 5
THE BATTLE OF CAMEL 6
iv
THE BACKGROUND OF THE
BATTLE OF THE CAMEL
It is in Quran - ع َلى ْاْل ُ ْخ َرىِ َف َقا ِتلُوا ا َّلتِي تَ ْبغِي ِْ ص ِل ُحوا َب ْينَ ُه َما ِۖ َفإِن َبغ
َ َت ِإ ْحدَا ُه َما ْ َ َان مِ نَِ ْال ُمؤْ مِ نِينَِ ا ْقتَتَلُوا َفأ َ َو ِإن
ِِ طا ِئ َفت
َِّللا يُحِ بِ ْال ُم ْقسِطِ ين َِّ طوا ِۖ ِإ
ََِّ ن ِِ ْص ِل ُحوا بَ ْينَ ُه َما ِب ْال َعد
ُ ل َوأ َ ْق ِس ْ َ ت فَأ َِِّ [ َحتَّىِ تَفِي َِء ِإلَىِ أ َ ْم ِِرAnd if two parties of
ِْ ّللا ِۖ فَإِن فَا َء
the believers fight (and kill each other), make peace between them; but if one of them
acts wrongfully towards the other, fight that which acts wrongfully until it returns to
Allah's command; then if it returns, make peace between them with justice and act
equitably; surely Allah loves those who act equitably.] (Al-Hujraat - 9)
The above Quranic verse confirms the fact that there is a possibility that Muslims fight
among themselves out of some confusion in their ranks that may involve loss of lives.
The fight could be between two individuals, or two Muslim Groups, or between two
Muslim countries. Also, the fight can be for various reason, like; (1) confusion created
by vested interests/selfish people; (2) misunderstanding, (3) differences of opinions in
religious issues and (4) wrongful acts of an oppressor Group who are causing harm to
the weaker group. In all these cases, both the parties are treated as Muslims because the
trouble makers may be a few wrong doers who have misled a large majority of Muslims
to fight among themselves. We have been commanded to bring peace between the
warring factions and also to support the oppressed Group against the oppressors until
they agree to abide by the Quranic injunctions in their dealings with others.
Following Ahadith provide more clarification in this context.
(i)It is in Hadith - Ibn 'Abbas ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہsaid to me and to his son
Ali, "Go to Abu Sa'id ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہand listen to what he narrates." So
we went and found him in a garden looking after it. He picked up his
Rida', wore it and sat down and started narrating till the topic of the
construction of the mosque reached. He said, "We were carrying one
adobe at a time while 'Ammar ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہwas carrying two. The
Prophet ( )صلى هللا عليه و آله وسلمsaw him and started removing the dust from
his body and said, "May Allah be Merciful to 'Ammar ()رضئ هللا تعالی عنہ. He
will be killed by a rebellious, aggressive group. He will be inviting them
to Paradise and they will invite him to Hell-fire." 'Ammar ()رضئ هللا تعالی عنہ
said, "I seek refuge with Allah from affliction." (Bukhari)
1
(ii) It is in Hadith - Hasan al-Basri ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہnarrated, "I heard Abu
Bakra ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہsay, 'I saw the Prophet, ( )صلى هللا عليه و آله وسلمon the
pulpit while Hadhrat Hasan Ibn Ali ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہwas beside him. He
would face the people one moment, and him the other. He said - ن ا ْبنِي هذَا َِّ ِإ
ْن مِ نَِ ْال ُم ْسلِمِ ين
ِِ عظِ ي َمتَي ِِ ح ِب ِِه َبيْنَِ فِئَتَي
َ ْن َِ ص ِل
ْ ُن ي ِْ َ هللا تَ َعالَى أ
َِ ل َِّ س ِيدِ َولَ َع
َ (This son of mine is a
leader/master. Perhaps Allah (ل َِّ ع َِّز َو َج
َ ) will make peace between two great
parties of Muslims through him) (Part of the Hadith). (Bukhari)
Important points of the above Ahadith
(a) Hadith # (i) is related to the battle of Siffeen in which Ammar
Yasir ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہwas killed fighting on the side of Hadhrat Ali ( رضئ
)هللا تعالی عنہ. Here the Prophet( )صلى هللا عليه و آله وسلمsays that the people
fighting against Hadhrat Ali ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہwere rebels (Mutineers),
meaning oppressors. The Prophet (ى هللا عليه و آله وسلم ِ )صلalso says that
Hadhrat Ali ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہand his companions were inviting them to
Paradise and the opposition was inviting them to Hell Fire.
(b) Hadith # (ii) is related to the fighting between two groups, one was
headed by the leaders of the Muslims, Hadhrat Hassan ()رضئ هللا تعالی عنہ
and the other is led by Muawiya ()رضئ هللا تعالی عنہ. In this case, the
Prophet ( )صلى هللا عليه و آل ِه وسلمsays that Hadhrat Hassan ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہis a
"Sayyid" (leader/Master) of Muslims, and he will arrange peace between
two opposing groups, one, his supporters and the other led by
Muawiya ()رضئ هللا تعالی عنہ. Here, the Prophet ( )صلى هللا عليه و آله وسلمdid not
call Muawiya ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہas the leader of Muslims since he was the
leader of a small group of rebels (as described in Hadith # 1 above).
However, a lot of people who were fighting on his behalf were misled by
wrongful propaganda, but they were Muslims.
To understand this issue, we need to look at the Agreement of Hudaibiya
between Prophet Mohammad ( )صلىِهللاِعليهِوِآلهِوسلمand Makkan Pagans. Quran
testifies that the agreement of Hudaibiya was done to stop bloodshed of Muslims
on both sides.
2
It is in Quran - ْي َم ْع ُكو ًفا أ َ ْن َي ْبلُ َغ َمحِ َّلهُ ۚ َولَ ْو ََل َ ع ِن ْال َمس ِْج ِد ْال َح َر ِام َو ْال َهد َ ُه ُم ا َّلذِينَ َكف َُروا َو
َ صدُّو ُك ْم
ْ ُ
َّ صيبَك ْم مِ ْن ُه ْم َمعَ َّرةٌ بِ َغي ِْر عِلم ۖ ِليُدْخِ َل
َّللاُ فِي َرحْ َمتِ ِه ُ ُ َ َ َ َ
ِ سا ٌء ُمؤْ مِ نَاتٌ ل ْم ت َ ْعل ُموهُ ْم أ ْن تَطئوهُ ْم فَت َ ِِر َجا ٌل ُمؤْ مِ نُونَ َون
عذَابًا أَلِي ًما
َ [ َم ْن يَشَا ُء ۚ لَ ْو ت َزَ يَّلُوا لَ َعذَّ ْبنَا الَّذِينَ َكف َُروا مِ ْن ُه ْمIt is they, the unbelievers, who
prevented you from reaching the Holy mosque and prevented the animals pledged
for sacrifice from reaching the site of the sacrificial slaughter. But, there were
believing men and women in their midst whom you did not know. Unwittingly,
you would have killed them, and unknowingly you would have suffered the sin
(of having killed the believers). Therefore, Allah restrained your hands, so that He
might admit into His mercy whomever He wants. Had they (the believing men
and women) stood apart, We would have punished the disbelievers with the
painful punishment.] (Al-Fath – 25)
The Quran testifies that the Agreement of Hudaibiya was undertaken to save
Muslims on both sides; one the leader of Muslims headed by Prophet Mohammad
( ِ)صلى ِهللا ِعليه ِو ِآله ِوسلمand the other under the rule of Pagans in Makka al-
Mukarrama.
Following opinions of Ahle Sunnah scholars further clarify this issue.
(i) Abdullah bin Umar ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہsaid - "I do not regret anything
more than the fact that I did not fight against the rebel Group (Muawiyah
- ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہIbn Abdul Barr in Al-Istiab)
(ii) Imam Shafii said - " I derived the rulings about Rebels from the
battles of Hadhrat Ali ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہwith Muawiya (( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہIbn
Hajr Makki in Tatheer al-Janan, page 30)
(iii) Mohammed Ibn Ismail al-Sana'ani said - "The Hadith of Ammar
Yasir ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہis a proof that rebel party is Muawiya ( رضئ هللا تعالی
)عنہand his followers in his party and the Party of truth is Hadhrat
Ali ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہand his companions and there is Ijma of ahl al-sunna
on this position". (Sharah Subul as-Salam upon bulugh al-maram of
Imam Ibn Hajar Makki V3, P 358).
(iv) Abd al-Rauf al-Manawi said - "It (Rebels) is the party of Muawiya
(( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہFath al-Qadeer)
(v) Mohammed Shaybani the student of Imam Abu Hanifa wrote - "If
Muawiya ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہhad not fought with Ali ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہwhilst
He (Muawiya - )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہwas a dhalim/unjust and a rebel who
transgressed, then we would not have known the rulings for fighting with
rebels. (Hanafi Tabqat, al-Jawahir al-Mudiya)
3
(vi) Hanafi Fiqh book 'Al-Hidaya' mentions under Chapter titled "Adab
al-Qadhi" as follows:
"To be appointed as Judge by an unjust ruler is allowed like from a just
ruler because Sahaba became judges for Muawiya ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہwhilst
the truth was with Hadhrat Ali ()رضئ هللا تعالی عنہ."
(vii) Mulla Ali Qari al-Hanafi wrote - "Muawiya ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہand his
supporters can be called in khata, rebellion, khuruj and fasaad but to send
la'nah upon them is not allowed" (Sharah Shifa, volume 2, page 556).
(viii) Imam al-Manawi (1545 - 1621), known for his works on 'Early
History of Islam' and 'History of Sufism' wrote in his book Fayd al-Qadeer
with reference to Imam Abdul Qahir al-Jurjani's (1007-1078) Aqeeda:
نِ أجمع فقهاء الحجاز والعراق م: وقال اإلمام عب ِد القاه ِر الجرجاني في كتاب اإلمامة
منهم مالك والشافعي وأبو حنيفة واْلوزاعي والجمهور اْلعظ ِم، فريقي الحديث والرأي
ن علياِ مصيب في قتال ِه ْلهل صفين كما هو مصيب في أه ِل ِ أ، من المتكلمين والمسلمين
لكن ال يكفَّرون ببغيهم، وأن الذين قاتلوه بغاة ظالمون له، الجمل
(There is Ijma of Fuqaha of Hijaz (Makka and Madina) and Iraq (Kufa and
Basra), amongst them Imam Malik, Imam Shafi'i, Imam Abu Hanifa,
Imam Awzai and majority of theologians and Muslims that Hadhrat
Ali ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہwas on Haq in his fight against the people
of Siffeen and those who fought with him were oppressive mutineers
(Dhaalim Baghis) but were not kafir for their rebellion.)
(ix) There are many more similar observations of our Ulema, like Imam
Abu Bakr al-Jassas al Hanafi, Imam Shawkani, Imam al-Jurjani, and
many others.
4
THE REAL ACTORS BEHIND THE
BATTLE OF THE CAMEL
Whenever there is a tribulation ()فتنه, there are some camouflaged ring leaders who
create disorder to achieve their selfish objectives. They manage to hide their evil
intentions from public. For this purpose they create confusion among Muslim ranks.
Like, in the case of Hadhrat Uthman ()رضئ هللا تعالی عنہ, the trouble makers worked on a
long and sustained conspiracy to grab power from the backdoor. They hired people to
run a campaign of misinformation about the Caliph. Their agents were spread in many
provinces, particularly in Kufa, Egypt and Madinah (the seat of Caliphate). They wrote
letters to Caliph against provincial Governors. They incited people by spreading rumors
that the Caliph was promoting people of his tribe. Any charity done by the Caliph from
his personal wealth was termed as misuse of public funds. They pressurized the Caliph
to bow in front of their unreasonable demands. Their campaign gradually grew into a
large scale riot and their well knitted and efficiently executed conspiracy neutralized
the majority opinion among masses.
Simple minded people and Sahabah were brainwashed by the sustained
misinformation campaign which resulted in widespread division among the opinions of
Sahabah and general people. The conspirators strategy polluted the peaceful
atmosphere and they succeeded in creating suspicions in the minds of Sahabah and
general public. Like, they claimed they wanted Hadhrat Uthman ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہto
resign and Hadhrat Ali ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہor Zubair ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہor Talha ( رضئ هللا تعالی
)عنہto take over as Caliph. This strategy worked well with the masses and they thought
that something was indeed wrong in Hadhrat Uthman's ( رضئ هللا تعالی
)عنہadministration. With this strategy they neutralized the majority opinion and
managed to surround the house of the Caliph. The misinformation campaign was so
intense that no one was able to raise his voice against the rioters. The confusion
prevailed and the rioters took advantage of this situation and martyred the Caliph.
In essence, there were two types of people, as follows:
(i)The ones who were funding, operating the entire trouble, disturbances
and rioting from the comfort of their homes. Their hired agents were busy
in creating the confusion and carnage among masses.
5
(ii) The majority of the people who were brain washed and convinced that
somehow the trouble was brewing from the mismanagement within the
Caliphate. People were completely unaware that they were being taken
for a ride and they were actually the victims of smear propaganda which
was weakening the Institution of Caliphate. They could not visualize that
there were people behind this campaign who were interested to grab
power from the back door. The old tribal politics was being played by the
ring leaders in the Islamic State and people were made to kill each other.
When you understand the above facts, it is easier to understand the causes of the Battle
of Camel and its impact on the Institution of Caliphate.
THE BATTLE OF CAMEL
The battle of Camel was the result of the horrible shock to the people who could never
visualize that the Caliph Hadhrat Uthman ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہcould be assassinated in this
manner. They were deeply grieved at the unthinkable happening in front of their eyes.
Their anger was natural.
The ring leaders were having a great time as things were going as per their plan. They
kept themselves hidden from the public eye while their hired agents did the job for
them.
When the grief and anger of people, particular senior Sahabah was at its high, Hadhrat
Ali ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہwas chosen as the Caliph of the nation. Hadhrat Ali ( رضئ هللا تعالی
)عنہwas the one who supported the Caliph, Hadhrat Uthman ()رضئ هللا تعالی عنہ, in those
difficult times. He was the one who risked the lives of his sons when he placed them on
the door of Caliph's residence to guard him against the rioters. He was the one who
took care of the burial of the Caliph against all odds. He was also grieved and was
angry on the assassins. How can he be blamed that he was protecting the assassins? He
was a great strategist. He was the senior counselor to Hadhrat Abu Bakr, Hadhrat Umar
and Hadhrat Uthman ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنهم اجمعينduring their Caliphate. He needed time to
bring the nation out of the turmoil, take care of the bigger mutiny by the trouble maker
Governors first and then turn back to punish the individuals. The trouble makers did
not allow this to happen because they knew that if Hadhrat Ali ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنهwas
allowed to solidify the Caliphate, there will be no place for them in the nation.
6
People's Sentiments were exploited
After Hadhrat Uthman's ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہassassination, his blood stained shirt was
transported to Syria. The shirt was displayed in front of the people in the central
mosque. They were incited against Hadhrat Ali ()رضئ هللا تعالی عنه, blaming him to be the
protector of assassins. By doing so, they were actually blaming him to be responsible for
Hadhrat Uthman's ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنهassassination. A mass scale frenzy was created, first
in Syrian Province, which gradually spread into the entire Islamic State, particularly in
Madina. This frenzy was aimed at harassing, weakening and pushing the new Caliph to
a corner.
Some people say that Muawiya ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہspearheaded this campaign. He knew,
Hadhrat Ali (ئ هللا تعالی عنہ
ِ )رضalone was not able to catch the criminals. They were
spread all over the place. Many of whom were in Egypt and Syria under the protection
of the Governors.Hadhrat Ali ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہneeded time and cooperation of all
but Muawiya ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہdid not allow it to happen. Rather he became the leader
of the smear campaign. It was a catch 22 situation for Hadhrat Ali ()رضئ هللا تعالی عنہ. If he
attempted to arrest the assassins, he would have ended up in a civil war. If he did not
arrest them, then Muawiya ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہwould create a bigger trouble for him with
his campaign and create divide between Sahabah and incite them to fight with each
other. The battle of Camel was the result of this smear campaign. Hadhrat Ali ( رضئ هللا
)تعالی عنہhad no escape. He was well aware of these facts. But he was a born fighter. He
was trained under the Prophet ( )صلى هللا عليه و آله وسلمright from his childhood. He
fought till the end and tried to protect the Caliphate from falling into the wrong hands.
The famous Ahle Sunnah Imam al-Barzanji (1640-1703), the Chief Mufti of Madinah
(buried in Jannat ul Baqi) wrote in his book "Ishrat al-Sa'a" as follows.
"It was a false pretext of Muawiya ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہto justify his fight with
Hadhrat Ali ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہunder the guise of revenge for the murder of
Hadhrat Uthman ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہbecause when he completely attained
the power and became ruler of the whole State, he never opened the case
of the murder of Hadhrat Uthman ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہand did not arrest the
murderers though he claimed earlier that the killers were still around.
This proves that all his fight was for worldly rule under the deceit of
revenge for the murder."
The trouble makers managed to convince Sahabah that Hadhrat Ali ( هللا تعالی ِ رضئ
)عنہwas not doing enough. And they should do something to force Hadhrat Ali ( رضئ هللا
)تعالی عنہto bring culprits to justice.Zubair ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہand Talha ( رضئ هللا تعالی
)عنہwere the victims of the smear campaign.
7
Hadhrat Uthman ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہwas martyred on 18th Dhul Hijja 35 H. Ummul
Momineen Aisha ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہاwas on Hajj during that time and was completely in
dark about the happenings in Madina. On her return journey, the conspirators met her
on the way and brainwashed her and convinced her that Hadhrat Ali ()رضئ هللا تعالی عنہ
was not doing enough and something should be done to force him to take action against
the culprits. When she saw Zubair ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہand Talha ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہalong
with this group, she was convinced. This was the massive win for the conspirators.
They declared her their leader, Talha ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہand Zubair ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہwere
declared as commanders. The Sahabah did not know that they were being used by the
conspirators on the instance of their ring leaders. The conspirators used the name of
Ummul Momineen Aisha ()رضئ هللا تعالی عنہا, Talha ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہand Zubair ( رضئ هللا
)تعالی عنہto convince others. What happened next is history. We do not want to go into
details here. We are providing Ahadith below which are self explanatory.
It is in Hadith - Allegiance was pledged to Hadhrat Ali ( رضئ هللا تعالی
)عنہjust after the assassination of Hadhrat Uthman ()رضئ هللا تعالی عنہ.
Hadhrat Ali ()رضئ هللا تعالی عنہdid not like to be the successor of Hadhrat
Uthman ()رضئ هللا تعالی عنہ. Thus, he refused this responsibility, but he was
pressured and urged by the Companions to accept it. Hadhrat Ali ( رضئ هللا
)تعالی عنہsaid " I nearly lost my senses when I heard of the murder of
Hadhrat Uthman (ئ هللا تعالی عنہ ِ )رضand I denied myself. When they came to
me to pledge allegiance, I said, 'By Allah! I feel ashamed in front of Allah
to accept the allegiance of people who killed a man of whom the
Prophet ( )صلى هللا عليه ِو آله وسلمsaid: "Shouldn't I be shy of a man before
whom even the angels are ashamed?" and while Hadhrat Uthman ( رضئ هللا
)تعالی عنہis murdered and his dead body is still lying on the ground and
has not yet been buried." At this, they left until after the burial.
"They came to me again and asked me to accept their allegiance. I said, 'O
Allah! Indeed I am anxious and afraid of what I am about to undertake.
Then a group came and pledged allegiance. When they said, 'O Leader of
the Believers!' it was as if my heart was stricken. Then I said, 'O Allah!
Take from me and give to Hadhrat Uthman ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہuntil you are
pleased".
(Narrated by Al-Hakim, who said it was sound and that it fits the
conditions set by Bukhari and Muslim. ad-Dahabiagreed with Al-Hakim).
The conspirators who had convinced Ummul Momineen Aisha ()رضئ هللا تعالی عنها, Talha
( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنهand Zubair ()رضئ هللا تعالی عنه, hatched a plan. Instead of going to the
Caliph directly to present their demands, they took Sahabah to Basra where the
Governor was weak. They convinced the Sahabah that this was the best option to push
8
Hadhrat Ali ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہto punish the assassins. They arranged the funding,
transportation and people to accompany the Sahaba. On their way to Basrah, they
reached a place called Bani Amr. Their caravan was stopped at night around a well.
During the night, Ummul Momineen Aisha ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہاheard unusual barking of
dogs. She asked people what is the name of that place? They informed her it was
Hawab. Listening to this reply, she reminded the Prophet ( )صلى هللا عليه و آله وسلمwho had
predicted about this place to her during his life time.
It is in Hadith - When Ummul Momineen Aisha ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہاreached
the waters of Bani Amr at night, she heard some dogs barking. She asked,
'Which water is this?' They replied, 'The water of Hawab'. She said, 'I
think I had better return (back to Madina), the Prophet ( صلى هللا عليه و آله
)وسلمsaid to us once: "How will one of you be when the dogs of Hawab will
be barking at her?" Zubair ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنهthereupon said to her, 'How
can you return! Perhaps Allah might make people reach an agreement
through you'". (Ahmed, al-Haythmi, ad-Dahabi, al-Bazzar, Ibn
Kathir,Salafi scholar al-Bani said this Hadith is authentic).
The above Hadith is a clear evidence that Sahaba went to Basra with a clear intention to
negotiate with Hadhrat Ali ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عن ِہand reach an agreement. Their intention
was not to fight and shed the blood of thousands of people. However, as soon as they
reached Basra, the things went out of their hands. The conspirators took control of
Basra, deposed the Governor and created a reign of terror in the Province. The
conspirators were using Sahabah to unseat Hadhrat Ali ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہas they did
with Hadhrat Uthman ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہearlier. The whole game was to capture the
Caliphate.
When Hadhrat Ali ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنهknew about these development, he went to Basra.
Both the Armies stood face to face. Hadhrat Ali ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہcalled for negotiations.
Sahabah reached an agreement within no time. They all agreed that the issue of
arresting the culprits will be delayed till the fluid situation in the State solidifies.
Ummul Momineen Aisha ()رضئ هللا تعالی عنہا, Talha ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہand Zubair ( رضئ هللا
)تعالی عنہagreed not aggravate the situation further and promised to return back the next
morning. Hadhrat Ali ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہalso promised to return back in the morning.
But the paid conspirators had not come there for peace. They wanted to create an
anarchy and bloodshed in the Islamic State to weaken the Caliph. Just before the dawn,
in the darkness, they attacked both the armies from sides and no one knew what
happened as it was dark. The battle was in full swing as the day broke out. Looking at
these happenings, Zubair ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہleft the field without fighting. A handful of
9
conspirators followed him. A conspirator named Amr Ibn Jurmuz killed him from
behind in Al-Sebaa Valley when he was offering prayers lonely.
It is reported that Amr Ibn Jurmuz later went to Hadhrat Ali ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنهthinking
that he would be announcing the good news of Zubair's ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنهmurder to
Hadhrat Ali ()رضئ هللا تعالی عنه. When Hadhrat Ali ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عن ِهknew that Zubair's
( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنهmurderer was standing at his door asking permission to enter, he
shouted ordering that he be removed and said, "Announce Hell to the murderer of
Safiah's - ( رضئ هللا تعالی عنهاaunt of Hadhrat Ali - )رضئ هللا تعالی عنهson because the Prophet
( )صلى هللا عليه و آله وسلمhas prophesied that the killers of Zubair ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنهاwill be in
Hell. When Hadhrat Ali ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنهاwas shown the sword of Zubair ( رضئ هللا تعالی
)عنها, he kissed it and wept.
Talha ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہalso left without fighting. He was attacked by Marwan
(Muawiya's - رضئ هللا تعالی عنہman who was working as Hadhrat Uthman's - رضئ هللا تعالی
عنہSecretary) by a poison soaked arrow which hit his ankle. Talha ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہalso
died.
Ummul Momineen Aisha ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہاcould not leave the battle field as she was
escorted by a large number of people. A fierce battle followed in which Hadhrat
Ali ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہاwas victorious. Ummul Momineen Aisha ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہاescaped
unhurt. She was honorably escorted back to Madina along with her step brother
Mohammad Ibn Abu Bakr ()رضئ هللا تعالی عنہ. History records that over 10,000 people lost
their lives in the conspiracy.
Ibn KathIr wrote - "Hadhrat Ali ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہspent three days after reaching Basrah,
sending and receiving messages from Talha ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہand Zubair ()رضئ هللا تعالی عنہ
both. Some conspirators suggested Talha ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہto take advantage of the
situation and attack and kill the assassins of Hadhrat Uthman ( رضئ هللا تعالی
)عنہ. Talha ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہrefused and said we have reached an agreement. Hadhrat
Ali ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہsuggested that we delay this issue and we have sent him our
agreement."
Hadhrat Hasan ibn 'Ali ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہsaid : 'I saw him ('Ali - رضئ هللا تعالی
)عنہwhen the fighting became fierce move around me and say: 'O
Hasan ()رضئ هللا تعالی عنہ, if only I died 20 years before this! (Ibn Abi
Shaibah)
Ummul Momineen Aisha ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہاtold the people of Basra before
her return, 'My children, none of us should have any grief towards the
other. By Allah, there was nothing between me and Ali ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہin
the past except that which is usually between a woman and her son-in-
law. He is one of the good people. Hadhrat Ali ()رضئ هللا تعالی عنہ, said, 'It is
10
true that there was nothing between me and her except what she
mentioned and she is the wife of your Prophet ( )صلى هللا عليه و آله وسلمin this
life and the Hereafter'.
Abu Musa al-Ash'ari ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہnarrated : ما أشكل علينا أصحاب رسول هللا
" صلى هللا عليه وسلم حديث قط فسألنا عائشة إال وجدنا عندها منه علماWhenever we (the
Companions) of the Prophet ( )صلى هللا عليه و آله وسلمhad any difficulty on
Hadith, of which we approached Ummul Momineen Aisha ( رضئ هللا تعالی
)عنہاand (always) found that she had the knowledge of the Hadith
".(Tirmidhi Hadith # 3883)
ُش ِة
َ ِعائ ِْ سا َ ْلنَا َمس ُْروقا كَان
َ َت َ ل َِ قَا،ن ُم ْسل ٍِم
ِْ ع
َ ،اال ْع َم ِش َْ ن ِِ ع َ ،ٍن خَا ِلد ُِ ع ْقبَ ِةُ ْب
ُ َحدَّثَنَا،ٍسعِيد
َ ن ُِ ّللا ْب َ َحدَّثَنَا
َِِّ ُع ْب ِد
ْ
ِ ِ ن الف ََرائ
ِض ِِ ع ُ َ
َ ب ُم َح َّم ٍِد يَ ْسالونَ َهاِِ ص َحا َ ْ َ ْ َ َ َ
َ َِال اِله
ْ غي ُْر ِهُ لق ِد َرايْتُِ االكَابِ َِر مِ نَِ ا َ
ِ ل َوالذِي َّ َ
َِ ِض قا ْ
َِ ن الف ََرائ ُ
ِ ت ْح ِسُ
It is narrated by Masrooq ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہthat he was asked if Ummul
Momineen Aisha ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہاknew the science of division of the
shares of inheritance, he said, "By Allah! I have seen senior Sahabah ask
her questions about fara'edh"
(Hakim in his Mustadrak 4/11; Ibn Abi shaiba, Kitab al Faraid; Imam
Darami in his Sunan, Kitab al Fara'edh Chapter Taleem al fara'edh #
2901. Dar ul Mugni Muhaqqiq of Sunan Darami said Chain is Authentic)
When Ummul Momineen Aisha ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہاwas near her death, Ibn
Abbas ( )رضئ هللا تعالی عن ِہasked permission to visit her, and then he said to
her : Among the wives of the Apostle of Allah ()صلى هللا عليه و آله وسلم, he
loved you the most, and he did not love except which is good. Allah has
sent proof of your innocence through Jibreel ( )عليه السال مfrom above the
seven heavens.”
(Ummul Momineen Aisha - رضئ هللا تعالی عنہاreplied) : دعني منك يا إبن عباس
ِ والذي نفسي بيده لوددت أني كنت نسياِ منسياO' Ibn Abbas( )رضئ هللا تعالی عنہplease leave
it, I take oath of Allah in whose hand is my life, I wanted that I would
have been an unknown. (Musnad Ahmad Fadhail-e-Sahaba 2/872 # 1636)
11
