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Islamiyat IGCSEPDF 168
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Events of Revolt (Rebellion in Madina): In 656 the protesters fulfilled their plans with
admirable speed and efficiency. Three columns of men apparently on their way to Makkah
for the pilgrimage left the garrison cities of Kufa, Basra and Egypt. Once they reached
Madina they made separate bases in their accustomed camping grounds on the dry riverbeds
that surrounded the oasis. There was no violence, but the arrival of the armed men shocked
the population into a renewed support of the old caliph. The rebels sent deputations to the
three most respected members of the inner council of the companions Hazrat Ali , Talha and
Zubair however Abdur Rehman bin Awf was no longer alive. At first the companions rebuked
the rebels for coming armed, and uncalled for, to the holy city and refused to have anything
to do with them. As the deadlock intensified, Hazrat Ali agreed to act as the intermediary and
advised Hazrat Usman that the unpopular Abdullah bin Saad should be removed from the
governorship of Egypt as this would be sufficiently generous compromise and would send the
rebels back. This policy was also backed by Hazrat Aisha who argued for Amr to be
reinstated. The rebels however, insisted the Muhammad, the youngest son of Abu Bakr be
made the governor. The caliph reluctantly agreed, and the rebels prepared to march home.
Three days into their march back, the rebels force from Egypt was overtaken by an African
slave. He was pursued and brought back and a single letter was found in his leather pouch
with the caliph’s new seal on it. The letter was opened: it requested Abdullah to arrest the
ringleader and put them to death on their return. The rebels were furious they turned around
and rode hard to Madina. The rebels from Kufa and Basra also joined them. Hazrat Ali once
again agreed to arbitrate. Hazrat Usman denied all knowledge of the letter but freely
admitted that slave was from his household. The mystery surrounding the letter has never
been solved but its effect hardened the battle lines, for the rebels now feared for their lives if
Waqas drew money from the bait ul maal and did not return it for which he was deposed by
‘Uthman. However he overlooked simple mistakes of his governors.
5. Hazrat Usman relaxed most of the restrictions that had been implemented by Hazrat
Umar. He allowed the Arabs to acquire agricultural lands in the conquered territories. The
Arabs purchased these lands and exchanged them with lands in Arabia.
6. Many other Public works were carried out, e.g. embankments were constructed to protect
the houses in Madina from being swept away by periodic floods. Extension and provision for
providing clean water to the population was undertaken. he purchased land and constructed
purposebuilt markets whose rents were used to feed the poor; land was bought from funds of
central treasury for state animals to pasture; construction of state stables and guesthouses
for the use of travellers, messengers and poor pilgrims were set up; he extended the
Prophet’s mosque and built a port at Jeddah.
7. During his Khilafat for the first time a fleet of nearly five hundred ships was built to fight
with the Greeks on the on the Mediterranean Sea.
8. The cantonments were extended and enlarged, more barracks were constructed for the
soldiers, and stables for the cavalry were also extended.
9. He took steps for the propagation of Islam and said to have sent religious teachers to
India to spread Islam. During his administration, the Qur’an was also copied from the
Mushaf e Hafsah and sent to the four corners of the caliphate.
10. He launched a diligent inspection of accounts, started to overhaul the Diwan salary rolls
and asked for the accounts and provisional surpluses to be forwarded to the treasury in
Madina. It must be noted here that all these increment reforms and building projects were to
be achieved in the midst of ten years of continues warfare on practically all frontiers of the
Muslim Empire.