Refuting the Objections of Ayesha’s Advocates in Connection with her Role at Jamal - 3

Refuting the Objections of Ayesha’s Advocates in Connection with her Role at Jamal - 3

Third objection – Why would the Banu Ummayya want to forge links with those that had Killed Uthman?

Ibn al Hashimi states:

“The fact of the matter is that there were hundreds of people protesting on the streets, all of them demanding Qisas for Uthman’s murder. Most of these were from the same tribe of Uthman (رضّى الله عنه). For example, the Syrian governor, Muawiyyah (رضّى الله عنه), was one such individual. There was also Talha (رضّى الله عنه) and Zubair (رضّى الله عنه). The question begs: if Aisha (رضّى الله عنها) had publically advocated Uthman’s murder and she was complicit in his murder, then why would she later be “allied” with Muawiyyah (رضّى الله عنه), who also fought with Ali (رضّى الله عنه)? This is truly a contradiction! Wouldn’t Muawiyyah (رضّى الله عنه) have fought Aisha (رضّى الله عنها) to punish her for murdering his cousin? Why would Muawiyyah (رضّى الله عنه) murder his own cousin, especially the cousin who bestowed upon him favor upon favor, evidenced by the fact that the Shia scholars love to show Uthman’s nepotism (رضّى الله عنه) in relation to Muawiyyah (رضّى الله عنه)”.

Reply One – The merger took place as a mechanism to oust Imam Ali (as) from power

That is one of the biggest ironies! In our article on Uthman we had submitted strong evidence proving the lead role of Talha and Zubayr in killing Uthman. We also evidenced Ayesha’s sympathy towards those that were opposed to Uthman. If events that then lead to Jamal involved the Banu Ummaya and the killers of Uthman forging an alliance, it would be more apt for questions to be asked from the supporters of the Sahaba. It is for Ibn al Hashimi to answer this:

1. If all the Sahaba are just and truthful does that include those Sahaba that lead an anti Uthman movement that enabled the siege of his home and murder?
2. If the above individuals were just and truthful for their role in overthrowing Uthman, how do they remain just and truthful when they subsequently demanded vengeance for Uthman?

The fact is these individuals were insincere in their demands for killing Uthman, they were motivated by a desire to overthrow Imam Ali (as), their demanding Qisas for Uthman was a mechanism they used to attain this objective. Such a movement would only receive credence if it gained the support of Uthman’s Ummayad clan which is why an alliance was forged with them. If the question was asked why the Ummayads would seek to join hands with the killers of Uthman, we will say that they likewise didn’t care for Uthman they were motivated by their hatred of Ali (as). On their own they would not have been able to overthrow Ali (as), but with famed Sahaba supporting their cause, their movement would get popularity and legitimacy. Both groups were opportunists motivated by a desire to remove Imam Ali (as) as Head of State as can be evidenced from this tradition that we had partially cited in the previous reply:

Ibn Jarir Tabari also narrated from Ahmad – from his father – from Wahab bin Jarir bin Hazim – from Yunis bin Yazeed – from Zuhri:

I was told that when Talha and al-Zubayr heard that Ali had encamped at Dhu Qar, they left for al-Basrah and took the road to al-Munkadir. Ayesha then heard the dogs barking and asked: ‘What water is this?’. ‘Al-Hawab’ they replied. “We belong to Allah, and to him we return” she exclaimed. “I am she. I heard Messenger of God say in the presence of his wives, ‘ I wish I knew at which of you the dogs of al-Hawab will bark!’” and she wanted to turn back. Abdullah bin al-Zubayr came up to her, and it is said that he told her, “Whoever said that this was al-Hawab was lying”. And then persisted with her until she set off.

They came to al-Basrah, the governor of which was Uthman bin Hunayf, and he asked them: “What makes you angry at our companion [Ali]?” “We don’t consider him more eligible for leadership than we” they replied “after what he has done”. “The man [Ali], made me governor, so I will write to him and inform him why you have come” said Uthman, “On the condition that I lead the prayer until his reply comes”. 

History of Tabari, English Edition, Volume 16 pages 68-69

Ahmad bin Zuhayr: Dahabi said: ‘Renowned Hafiz’ (Tarikh al-Islam, v20 p252), Al-Albaani said: ‘Thiqah’ (Silsila Sahiha, v3 p446). Zuhair Abu khaythama: Dahabi said: ‘Hujja’ (Siar alam alnubala, v11 p489), Ibn Hajar said: ‘Thiqah Thabt’ (Taqrib al-Tahdib, v1 p316). Wahab bin Jarir: Dahabi said: Thiqah’ (Al-Kashif, v2 p356), Ibn Hajar said: ‘Thiqah’ (Taqrib al-Tahdib, v2 p291). Jarir bin Hazim: Dahabi said: ‘Thiqah’ (Al-Kashif, v1, p291), Ibn Hajar said: ‘Thiqah’ (Taqrib al-Tahdib, v1 p158). Yunus bin Yazid: Dahabi said: ‘One of the Thabt’ (Al-Kashif, v2 p404), Ibn Hajar said: ‘Thiqah’ (Taqrib al-Tahdib, v2 p351). Al-Zuhari: Dahabi said: ‘The hafiz of his time’ (Siar alam alnubala, v5 p326), Ibn Hajar said: ‘There is an agreement about his magnificence’ (Taqrib al-Tahdib, v2 p133).

Reply Two – The Banu Ummaya forging links with those that they knew killed Uthman proves that their objective was not Qisas

It is not uncommon for political opponents to forge an alliance to oppose a common enemy. Sadly this is the nature of ‘politics’ where bitter enemies become close friends to further a shared objective. Take the example of Pakistan. There was no love lost between PPP Leader Asif Ali Zardari and Muslim League Noon Leader Nawaz Sharif. Such was their animosity; they had each accused the other of corruption during their terms, with Nawaz Sharif imprisoning Zardari on a vast array of corruption cases when he was in power. Despite this reality we see how both foes became close allies in 2007/08, dedicated to ousting the (then) President Pervez Musharraf and restoring democracy to the nation. Their past issues were put aside and they worked hand in hand to remove their political enemy. Exactly the same scenario applies to the Ummayad / Ayesha et al. alliance. The Banu Ummayad had agreed to temporarily halt their pursuit for the killers of Uthman as a merger with these same killers could enable a greater objective, the removal of Maula Ali (as) from power. The reality of these same individuals killing Uthman was not missed on the Banu Ummayah and when the opportunity came, they took revenge from one of the main perpetrators fighting alongside them. Imam Dhahabi has recorded:

Jawairiya bin Asma narrated from Yahya bin Saeed who narrated from his uncle that Marwan shot Talha an arrow and killed him, then he looked at Aban (son of Uthman) and said: ‘I have spared you from one of the murderers of your father.’ 

Siar alam al-Nubala, Volume 1 page 36

Tell us Ibn al Hashimi, if your Imam Marwan knew that Talhah killed Uthman why did he join him in Jamal? Clearly it was not to avenge Uthman. Thus both groups used Uthman’s murder as an excuse to enable the overthrow of Imam Ali (as).