Part of the series on Islam Jump to: navigation, search Islam ▶(?) (Arabic: الإسلام al-islām) the submission to God is a monotheistic faith, one of the Abrahamic religions and the worlds second-largest religion. ... History of Islam

Beliefs and practices

Oneness of God Profession of Faith Prayer · Fasting Pilgrimage · Charity Image File history File links I made this. ... Jump to: navigation, search The History of Islam involves the history of the Islamic faith as a religion and as a social institution. ... Aqidah (Arabic: عقيدة) is an Arabic Islamic term meaning creed. ... Jump to: navigation, search TawhÄ«d (also Tawhid or Tauhid or Tawheed; Arabic توحيد) is the Islamic concept of monotheism. ... Jump to: navigation, search The word Allāh is the Arabic term for God. It is most commonly used in Islam and refers to The eternal monotheist deity. ... Jump to: navigation, search This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... Jump to: navigation, search Salah (also known as salat, solat, solah and several other spellings) (Arabic: صلاة, Quranic Arabic: صلوة) refers to the five daily ritual prayers that Muslims offer to Allah (God). ... Ramadan or Ramadhan (Arabic: رمضان ) is the ninth month of the Islamic year. ... Jump to: navigation, search The Hajj or Haj (Arabic حَجّ Ḥaǧǧ) is the Pilgrimage to Mecca (or, Makkah) and is the fifth of the Five Pillars of Islam in Sunni Islam and one of the ten Branches of Religion in Shia Islam. ... Jump to: navigation, search Beliefs and practices Oneness of God Profession of Faith Prayer · Fasting Pilgrimage · Charity Major figures Muhammad Companions of Muhammad Household of Muhammad Prophets of Islam Texts & law Quran · Hadith · Sharia Jurisprudence Biographies of Muhammad Branches of Islam Sunni · Shia · Sufi Sociopolitical aspects Art · Architecture...

Major figures

Muhammad · Ali · Abu Bakr Companions of Muhammad Household of Muhammad Prophets of Islam Jump to: navigation, search This page is an incomplete list of prominent and famous (or infamous) people who are Muslims - followers of Islam. ... Jump to: navigation, search Muhammad is a common Muslim male name. ... Jump to: navigation, search For other uses, see Ali (disambiguation). ... Abu Bakr As Siddiq (Arabic ابو بكر الصديق, alternative spellings, Abubakar, Abi Bakr, Abu Bakar) (c. ... In the Islamic religion, the Sahaba (or Asahaaba,الصحابه; both forms are plural--the singular is Sahaabi, which is Arabic for friend, or companion) are the companions of the Prophet Muhammad. ... This is an Arabic phrase literally translated as People of the House, or family. ... Jump to: navigation, search The Quran identifies a number of men as prophets of Islam. ...

Texts & law

Qur'an · Hadith · Sharia Jurisprudence Biographies of Muhammad Jump to: navigation, search // Quran Text Surahs Ayah Commentary/Exegesis Ibn Kathir Al Tabari Al Kordobi Tafseer-e-kabir (by Imam Razi) Tafheem-al-Quran (by Moulana Maududi) Sunnah/Hadith Hadith (Traditions of The Prophet) The Siha-e-Sitta al-Bukhari (d. ... Jump to: navigation, search The Quran (Arabic: al-qurān literally the recitation; also called Al Qurān Al KarÄ«m or The Noble Quran; or transliterated Quran, Koran, and less commonly Alcoran) is the holy book of Islam. ... Jump to: navigation, search Hadith (Arabic: , Arabic pl. ... Jump to: navigation, search Sharia (Arabic: ; also SharÄ«ah, Sharia, Shariah or Syariah) is the Arabic word for Islamic law, also known as the Law of Allah. ... - Islamic jurisprudence, Fiqh (in Arabic and Persian: فقه) is made up of the rulings of Islamic jurists to direct the lives of the Muslim faithful. ... This article is not about the group of British engineering companies called Sira; see Sira (group of British companies). ...

Branches of Islam

Sunni · Shi'a · Sufi Jump to: navigation, search The religion of Islam has many divisions, sects, schools, traditions, and related faiths. ... Jump to: navigation, search There are several branches of Islam. ... Jump to: navigation, search Shia Islam (from the Arabic word شيعة, short for the phrase shi`at `Ali شيعة علي, meaning the followers or party of Ali) is the second-largest Islamic denomination. ... Jump to: navigation, search Sufism (Arabic تصوف tasÌ£awwuf) is a school of esoteric philosophy in Islam, which is based on the pursuit of spiritual truth as a definite goal to attain. ...

Sociopolitical aspects

Art · Architecture Cities · Calendar Science · Philosophy Religious leaders Women in Islam Political Islam · Jihad Mediums of Islamic art Islamic art throughout history has been mainly abstract and decorative, portraying geometric, floral, Arabesque, and calligraphic designs. ... Islamic architecture is the entire range of architecture that has evolved from Islam as a social, cultural, political and religious phenomenon. ... Jump to: navigation, search This is a list of cities that various groups regard as holy. ... Jump to: navigation, search The Islamic calendar or Muslim calendar (also called Hijri calendar) is the calendar used to date events in predominantly Muslim countries, and used by Muslims everywhere to determine the proper day on which to celebrate Muslim holy days. ... Jump to: navigation, search Photo taken from medieval manuscript by Qotbeddin Shirazi, an Astronomer. ... Jump to: navigation, search Islamic philosophy (فلسفه Ù‰ اسلامى) is a longstanding attempt to create harmony between faith, reason or philosophy, and the religious teachings of Islam. ... Jump to: navigation, search Islamic religious leaders are persons who, as part of the clerisy, mosque, or government, perform a prominent role within their community or nation. ... Jump to: navigation, search The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ... Islam as a political movement has a diverse character that has at different times incorporated elements of many other political movements, while simultaneously adapting the religious views of Islamic fundamentalism, particularly the view of Islam as a political religion. ... Jump to: navigation, search Jihad (Arabic: jihād) is an Islamic term, from the Arabic root jhd (to exert utmost effort, to strive, struggle), which connotes a wide range of meanings: anything from an inward spiritual struggle to attain perfect faith to a political or military struggle to further the...

See also

Vocabulary of Islam Index of articles on Islam The following list consists of concepts that are derived from both Islam and Arab tradition, which are expressed as words in the Arabic language. ...

The Battle of Bassorah or the Battle of the Camel at Basra, Iraq in 655 was a battle between a Muslim forces allied to Caliph Ali against a superior force of rebel Arabs, allied to Aisha, who opposed Ali as the choice of Caliph. Location of Basra Basra (also spelled BaÅŸrah or Basara; historically sometimes written Busra, Busrah, and the early form Bassorah; Arabic: , Al-Basrah) is the second largest city of Iraq with an estimated population of c. ... Events November 15 - Northumbrian king Oswiu defeats the pagan Mercian king Penda in the Battle of Winwaed Empress Saimei ascends to the throne of Japan. ... Jump to: navigation, search A Muslim (Arabic: مسلم) is an adherent of Islam. ... Ali ibn Abi Talib (علي بن أبي طالب) (c. ... For other uses, see Arab (disambiguation). ... Jump to: navigation, search Aisha, Ayesha, Aisha, or Aisha (Arabic عائشة `āisha, she who lives) was a wife of Muhammad, the messenger of Islam. ...

Battle of the Camel

Prelude

In 656 CE Uthman was besiged in his own house, surrounded by rebels that where uncontent with Uthmans Caliphate. They refused him food and water, and kept him imprisoned, seeking to force his abdication. Uthman was murdered despite Ali's having sent his two sons, Hasan and Husayn, to defend Uthman. CE is common usage for Common Era, Current Era, or Christian Era (this year is 2005 CE). ... Leave this page if youre under 18!! - Page contains huge lies and hardly has any facts > it will surely misguide you! Uthman ibn Affan (Arabic: عثمان بن عفان) (c. ... An Anglicized/Latinized version of the Arabic word خليفة or Khalīfah, Caliph (  listen?) is the term or title for the Islamic leader of the Ummah, or community of Islam. ... Ali ibn Abi Talib (علي بن أبي طالب) (c. ...

Following Uthman's death, Ali was offered the caliphate by the majority of the people. He is reported to have refused the caliphate, saying, "You are not a people fit for my rulership nor are I a master fit for you people".He finally accepted the caliphate.

These events displeased Aisha, the widow of Muhammad, who was stongly opposed to Ali. After Ali had been chosen as the fourth Caliph, Aisha instigated a rebellion against his rule, despite her earlier opposition to Uthman. She challenged Ali's caliphate under the claim that Ali had not been successful in finding Uthmans murderer, claiming Qisas for Uthman. She is said to have gone to the mosque of Mecca, veiled, and there delivered a fiery speech calling for vengeance against Ali.

Ali replied by pointing to the fact that Aisha was not related to Uthman and therefore was not in position to demand Qisas for Uthman. This was also in contradiction to Uthman's relatives, which did not participate in the rebellion as well as the fact that Ali had sent his two sons, to defend Uthman.

Massing support

Aisha was returning to Medina from Mecca after Hajj when she heard the news of the assassination of Uthman, and the accession of Ali to the throne of khilafat whereupon she decided not to go to Medina, and to return to Mecca. Talha and Zubair also arrived in Mecca. Uthman's governor in Makkah was Abdullah bin Aamir Hadhrami. Marwan ibn al-Hakam and other members of the Banu Umayya were staying as his guests. All of them held a meeting. The murder of Uthman ibn Affan had become Talhahs tryst with destiny. ... ABU ABDULLA ZUBAIR IBN AL-AWWAM Zubair was the son of Al Awam and the father of Abd Allah ibn Zubayr Hade his sword broken when he defended Ali and Fatimah agains Umar and then sent away to Khalid. ... Jump to: navigation, search Ayesha was returning to Medina from Makkah after Hajj when she heard the news of the assassination of Uthman, and the accession of Ali to the throne of khilafat whereupon she decided not to go to Medina, and to return to Makkah. ... Marwan ibn al-Hakam (623 - 685) was an Umayyad caliph who took over the dynasty after Muawiya II gave up the title in 684. ...

Aisha got the support of Talha and Zubair, her two brothers-in-law, despite them having already given their oath of alliance to Ali. Both had been nominated for the Caliphate by Umar. Aisha also managed to enlist the support of the powerful clan of Bani Umayyah, to whom Uthman had belonged. The ex-governors of Uthman, who had been replaced by Ali, also joined her. Yala, the ex-governor of Yemen had carried off to Makka a large sum of treasure when he was deposed. He gave over to Aisha, sixty thousand Dinars, along with six hundred camels; one of which was a very large and well bred animal, valued at 200 gold pieces. It was named Al-Askar and was specially presented for the Aisha's personal use. The murder of Uthman ibn Affan had become Talhahs tryst with destiny. ... ABU ABDULLA ZUBAIR IBN AL-AWWAM Zubair was the son of Al Awam and the father of Abd Allah ibn Zubayr Hade his sword broken when he defended Ali and Fatimah agains Umar and then sent away to Khalid. ... Jump to: navigation, search For other uses of the name, see Umar (disambiguation). ... Mecca or Makkah (in full: Makkah al-Mukkaramah; Arabic مكة المكرمة) is revered as the holiest site of Islam, and a pilgrimage to it is required of all Muslims who can afford to go. ... Jump to: navigation, search A 25,000 Iraqi dinar note printed after the fall of Saddam Hussein. ...

The preparations of war completed, Aisha tried to convince Umme Salma to side with her, and was refused. Umme Salma instead tried to convince Aisha to abandon her plan, and nearly succeeded. Aisha's adopted son, Abdallah bin Zubayr, convinced her to proceed. Aisha also tried to have Hafsa follow her, but Ibn Umar, Hafsa's brother managed to prevent her. Aisha mounted on a litter on the camel al-Askar, and marched from Mecca at the head of 1,000 men. On her right was Talha and on her left, Zubayr.

The other widows of Muhammad residing in Mecca accompanied her a little way, and then returned. As they parted, the company gave vent to their feelings and wept bitterly at the louring outlook; "there was no such weeping, before or after, as then; so that day was called The Day of Tears." [1] On their way many more joined them, and their numbers swelled to 3,000.

It was now for month after the death of Uthman, and questions began to arise whether Talha or Zubair would in event of victory be the Caliph; but Aisha, staying the strife, as premature, desired that Ibn Zubair should lead the prayers; and it was given out that the choice of the future Caliph would be left, as heretofore, to the men of Medina. This article is about the city of Medina in Saudi Arabia. ...

Sa'id, the ex-governor of Kufa, distrusting the motives of the rebel leaders, turned aside at the last moment and with his company went back to Mecca. As the remaining cavalcade swept by Sa'id, shouting that they were on their way to destroy the murderers of Uthman, Sa'id cried out, "Whither away? the objects of your vengeance (meaning Talha and Az-Zubeir) are on their camels' humps before your eyes. Slay them both and return then to your homes!" Kufa (الكوفة al-Kufa in Arabic) is a city in Iraq, about 170 km south of Baghdad, and 10 km northeast of Najaf. ...

Ali receives news

When rumours of the defection first reached Medina, Ali refused to move against the malcontents so long as no overt act of rebellion threatened the unity of Islam. But shortly after, news arrived of the design on Basra. At first, Ali thought that the insurgents had not made Kufa, with its greater Bedawi population, their object. Ibn Abbas, however, pointed out that Basra was really the more dangerous, because fewer of the leading chiefs were there, able to curb the people and repress rebellion. Location of Basra Basra (also spelled BaÅŸrah or Basara; historically sometimes written Busra, Busrah, and the early form Bassorah; Arabic: , Al-Basrah) is the second largest city of Iraq with an estimated population of c. ...

Ali admitted this; and alarmed, gave orders that the column destined for Syria should march instead to Nejd, hoping thereby to intercept the insurgents on their way to Basra. A column of 900 men was got together, at the head of which Ali marched hastily in pursuit of the insurgents; but on striking the Mecca road he found that they had already passed. Not being equipped for further advance, he halted there. Messengers were sent to Kufa, Egypt, and elsewhere, demanding reinforcements; and for these the Caliph waited before he went forward. Najd (Nejd) is a region in central Saudi Arabia and the location of the nations capital, Riyadh. ...

Dogs of Haw'ab

On the way to Basra in Iraq, the rebel army received news that Ali had come out of Madina in their pursuit. They decided to leave the main road and proceed to Basra through a different route. When they passed through the valley of Hawab the dogs of the village surrounded Ummul Aisha's camel, barking loudly. She was immediately worried and asked for the name of the place. When she was told it was Hawab, she was shocked and she despairingly cried, "Alas! Alas! I am the wretched woman of Hawab. The Prophet of Allah had already warned me against this." She was reminded of what Umm Salama had told her,

"I also remind you that you and I were with the Prophet of Allah and he said to us: Which one of you will be the rider of the trained camel, at whom the dogs of Haw'ab will bark, and she will have deviated from the right path? We said: We seek refuge from Allah and His Prophet from that. He touched your back and said:Don't be that one, O Humayra.Aisha said:I remember that."

Aisha remembered the warning of the Prophet, and she cried and said;

"Take me back! Take me back!"

But Talha and Zubair brought fifty men and bribed them to testify in front of her that the place was not the plain of al-Haw'ab.

Basra

The rebel army reached Basra, and encamped close by. Messages were exchanged, and Uthman Ibn Hanif, the governor of Basra, aware that the cry of vengeance on the regicides really covered designs against his master Ali, called an assembly to try the temper of the people. Finding from the uproar that the strangers had a strong party in the city, he put on his armour, and, followed by the larger portion of the citizens, went forth to meet the enemy, who, on their side, was joined from the town by all the malcontents. A parley ensued. Talha, Zubair, and Aisha all three declaimed against the murderers of Uthman, and demanded justice.

The other side were equally loud in their protestations against Aisha and her attack upon their city. They said it was a shame and a slight on the memory of the Prophet for her to forego the sanctity of the Veil, and the proprieties of "Mother of the Faithful." Ali had been elected and saluted Caliph; and now Talha and Az-Zubeir were violating the allegiance which they had been the first to swear.

Both protested that the oath had been forced upon them. On this point the controversy turned; and from words they fell to blows. Night interposed; but fighting was resumed the following day, and with so serious a loss to Basra that a truce was called, and agreement come to, on the understanding that the facts should be ascertained from Medina. If force had really been put upon Zubair and Talha to take the oath, then Uthman Ibn Hanif, the governor, would retire and leave the City in their hands.

Envoy to Medina

An envoy accredited by either side was deputed to Medina. He arrived there while and forthwith proclaimed his mission before the assembled City. The people at first were silent. At last, one declared that both Talha and Az-Zubeir had done homage under compulsion, whereupon a great tumult arose; and the envoy, having seen and heard enough to prove diversity of view, at once took leave.

When the news of these things reached Ali, who was with his army in Nejd, he addressed a letter to Uthman Ibn Hanif, his governor. "There was no compulsion," he wrote, "on either Talha or Zubair; neither of these my adversaries was constrained otherwise than by the will of the majority. By the Lord! if their object be to make me abdicate, they are without excuse; if it be any other thing, I am ready to consider it."

So when the envoy returned from Medina, and when upon his report the insurgents called on Uthman Ibn Hanif to evacuate the City according to agreement, he produced the Caliph's letter and refused. But the insurgents had already obtained a footing within the City. Arming themselves, they repaired to the Mosque for evening service, and, the night being dark and stormy, were not perceived until they had overpowered the bodyguard, entered the adjoining palace, and made a prisoner of the governor, Uthman Ibn Hanif.

Counquer of Basra

On the following day, a severe conflict raged throughout the City, which ended in the discomfiture of Ali's party, and so the government passed into the hands of Talha and Zubair.

They took along with seventy of the governor officers who were in charge of the public treasury as prisoners. They brought them to Aisha who ordered that they be put to death. The life of Uthman Ibn Hanif, the governor, was spared. Set at liberty, his head and beard were shaven, and his eyelashes and moustaches clipped; and in this sorry plight the ousted governor made the best of his way back to Ali

Talha and Zubair now made proclamation that every citizen who had engaged in the attack on Uthman, the Caliph, should be brought forth and executed. The order was carried out, and great numbers were put to death. It is reported there were 400 men and that they were the first Muslims whose heads were cut off whilst they were patient.

The insurgents communicated tidings of their success to Syria, where Muawiya I ruled. Aisha also wrote letters to Kufa, Medina, and the Yemen, dissuading the people from their allegiance to Ali, and stirring them up to avenge the death of Uthman. Muawiyah I (602 - May 6, 680), early Muslim leader and founder of the great Umayyad Dynasty of caliphs. ...

Meanwhile the Citizens of Basra swore allegiance to Talha and Zubeir conjointly. To avoid appearance of rivalry, prayers were conducted alternately by a son of each.

Talha proclaimed an expedition against Ali, But no one responded to the call, and his spirits fell. Thus some weeks passed, till the City was aroused by the announcement that Ali with an army was in full march upon it.

Hasan and Kufa

Finding that the insurgent troops, with Aisha, Az-Zubeir, and Talha had already passed, Ali halted for a while on the road to Basra, waiting to strengthen his army for although joined on his march by certain loyal tribes, he still felt too weak for immediate action. Location of Basra Basra (also spelled BaÅŸrah or Basara; historically sometimes written Busra, Busrah, and the early form Bassorah; Arabic: , Al-Basrah) is the second largest city of Iraq with an estimated population of c. ...

To Kufa he addressed a special summons, inhabited as it was by many veterans on whose loyalty he might reasonably depend; and he added force to the call by promising that Kufa should be his seat of government. Kufa (الكوفة al-Kufa in Arabic) is a city in Iraq, about 170 km south of Baghdad, and 10 km northeast of Najaf. ...

"See," he wrote, "have not I chosen your city before all other cities for my own? Unto you do I look for succour, if haply peace and unity should again prevail as it behoveth, among brethren in the faith."

But the summons was at the first unheeded. The City was made up of many factions; and from some of these the message of Aisha, demanding revenge for Uthman's blood, had already found response. Jump to: navigation, search Aisha, Ayesha, Aisha, or Aisha (Arabic عائشة `āisha, she who lives) was a wife of Muhammad, the messenger of Islam. ... Jump to: navigation, search For other uses of the name, see Uthman (disambiguation). ...

Abu Musa, its governor, was unequal to the emergency. Loyal to the memory of the murdered Caliph, he yet sought to allay the ferment by a neutral course, and urged the citizens to join neither party, but remain at home. A second deputation meeting with no better success, Ali bethought him of sending his elder son Hasan, in Company with Ammar ibn Yasir, the former governor of Kufa, to urge his cause. According to Sunnis sources he did not give alligance to Abu Bakr, until Ali suposedly did so. ...

Al-Hasan bin 'Ali was at the top of the pulpit and Ammar was below Al-Hasan. We all gathered before him. I heard Ammar saying,

"Aisha has moved to Al-Busra. By Allah! She is the wife of your Prophet in this world and in the Hereafter. But Allah has put you to test whether you obey Him (Allah) or her (Aisha)."

Source: Bukhari Jump to: navigation, search The word Allāh is the Arabic term for God. It is most commonly used in Islam and refers to The eternal monotheist deity. ... Jump to: navigation, search Aisha, Ayesha, Aisha, or Aisha (Arabic عائشة `āisha, she who lives) was a wife of Muhammad, the messenger of Islam. ...

The appeal of Hasan, grandson of the Prophet, had atlast the desired effect. A tumult arose, and Abu Musa, unable to maintain his weak neutrality, was deposed. The Arab tribes rallied around the loyalists. Hasan ibn Ali ibn Abu Talib (c. ...

Soon 10,000 men, partly by land, partly by river, set out to join the Caliph, who, advancing slowly, awaited their arrival. Thus reinforced, Ali was able at last to take the field effectively, and march on the rebellious city.

Negotiations

Basra itself was not wholly hostile, and scores of the citizens came out to join the camp of Ali. The insurgent army, which still nearly equalled that of the Caliph, now marched forth with Talha and Zubair at their head, and Aisha herself seated in a well-fenced litter of the camel al-Askar. Location of Basra Basra (also spelled Başrah or Basara; historically sometimes written Busra, Busrah, and the early form Bassorah; Arabic: , Al-Basrah) is the second largest city of Iraq with an estimated population of c. ... Jump to: navigation, search Caliph is the term or title for the Islamic leader of the Ummah, or community of Islam. ... The murder of Uthman ibn Affan had become Talhahs tryst with destiny. ... ABU ABDULLA ZUBAIR IBN AL-AWWAM Zubair was the son of Al Awam and the father of Abd Allah ibn Zubayr Hade his sword broken when he defended Ali and Fatimah agains Umar and then sent away to Khalid. ... Jump to: navigation, search Aisha, Ayesha, Aisha, or Aisha (Arabic عائشة `āisha, she who lives) was a wife of Muhammad, the messenger of Islam. ...

But Ali's thoughts were for peace if possible.The cry of Talha and Az-Zubeir was for vengeance against the murderers of Uthman; and against these, Ali as yet did not deny that justice should be dealt.But he was obliged to temporise. He had in his army great numbers of the very men who had risen against Uthman; and he felt that to inflict punishment on them, as his adversaries required, would for the present be impossible.Holding these views, he halted, still some little way from Basra, and sent forward Al-Ka'ka' (who with other leaders of renown had joined him from Kufa) to expostulate with Talha and Zubair. Jump to: navigation, search For other uses of the name, see Uthman (disambiguation). ...

"Ye have slain 600 men of Al-Basra," said Al-Ka'ka' to them, "for the blood of Uthman; and lo! to avenge their blood, 6000 more have started up. Where is this internecine war to stop? It is peace and repose that Islam needeth now. Give that, and again the majesty of law shall be set up, and the guilty brought to justice."

As he spoke, Zubair, Talha and Aisha returned word that if these really were the sentiments of Ali, they were ready to submit.After several days spent in such negotiations, Ali, glad at the prospect of a bloodless compromise, advanced.

The Recruited Besiegers of Uthman in Ali's Army

Ali's army recruited from the Bedawi settlements and comprised a great number of notorious besiegers of Uthman. Afraid of bringing these into contact with the heated army of his opponents, still breathing out fire and slaughter against them, Ali commanded that; none who had shared in the attack on Uthman should for the present accompany him in his advance. These in their turn, with Al-Ashtar at their head, became alarmed. Jump to: navigation, search For other uses of the name, see Uthman (disambiguation). ...

Talha's troops, sworn to their destruction, were double their number, if peace were patched up, no hope remained. Reasoning thus, they held a secret conclave, and came to the conclusion that their only safety lay in precipitating hostilities, and thus forcing Ali's hand to crush their enemies. Accordingly they remained behind, but with the resolve that at the right moment they would advance and throw themselves upon the enemy.

Further negotiations

The army of Al Basra, numbering some 20,000 men, remained encamped on the outskirts of the city. Ali's force, advancing unopposed, halted within sight; and negotiations for peace went on, evidently substantial and sincere. Ali himself approached on horseback and Talha with Zubair rode forth to confer with him.

"Wherefore have ye risen against me" said Ali; "did ye not swear homage to me?" "Yea" replied Talha "but with the sword over our necks; and now our demand is that justice be executed against the murderers of Uthman." Ali replied that he no less than they held the murderers of Uthman to be guilty; he even cursed them in no measured terms, but added that for their punishment they must bide their time.

Zubair on his side was softened by certain words of the Prophet towards him which Ali recalled to his mind, and bound himself by an oath that he would not fight. Then they all retired. Both armies, understanding that negotiations were in progress, went to rest that night in security such as they had not felt for many weeks.

Surprise attack

Towards morning, a sudden shock changed the scene. The besiegers of Uthman, during the night, carried their design into execution. Led by them, squadrons of Bedawi lances bore down, while yet dark, upon the Basra tents. In a moment all was confusion. Each camp believed that it had been attacked by the other; and the dawn found both armies drawn up, as the conspirators desired, in mortal combat against each other. In vain Ali endeavoured to hold back his men. The sense of treachery embittered the conflict. It was a strange engagement,—the first in which Muslims had crossed swords with Muslims. It resembled a battle of the old Arab times, only that for tribal rivalry were now substituted for other issues.

Clans were broken up, and it became in some measure a contest between the two rival cities; "The Beni Ar-Rabi'a of Al-Kufa fought against the Beni Ar-Rabi'a of Al-Basra, the Beni Modar of the one against the Beni Modar of the other," and so on, with the various tribes, and even with families, one part arrayed against the other. The Kufa ranks were urged on by the besiegers of Uthman, who felt that unless Ali conquered, they were all doomed men. The fierceness and obstinacy of the battle can be only thus accounted for. One of the combatants tells us that "when the opposing sides came together breast to breast, with a furious shock, the noise was like that of washermen at the riverside."

The attitude of the leaders was in marked contrast with the bitter struggle of the ranks.Zubair, half-hearted since his interview with Ali, left the battlefield according to his promise, and was killed in an adjoining valley.

End of battle

Marwan ibn al-Hakam shot his general Talha with an arrow Talha, disabled by the arrow in the leg, was carried into Basra, where he died. Bereft of their leaders, the insurgent troops gave way. They were falling back upon the city, when they passed by the camel of Aisha. Marwan ibn al-Hakam (623 - 685) was an Umayyad caliph who took over the dynasty after Muawiya II gave up the title in 684. ... The murder of Uthman ibn Affan had become Talhahs tryst with destiny. ... Location of Basra Basra (also spelled Başrah or Basara; historically sometimes written Busra, Busrah, and the early form Bassorah; Arabic: , Al-Basrah) is the second largest city of Iraq with an estimated population of c. ... Jump to: navigation, search Aisha, Ayesha, Aisha, or Aisha (Arabic عائشة `āisha, she who lives) was a wife of Muhammad, the messenger of Islam. ...

Attacked fiercely from all around, she from within her litter kept crying out with fruitless energy,—"Slay the murderers of Uthman." The word ran through the retiring ranks, that "the Mother of the Faithful was in peril," and they stayed their flight to rescue her. Long the conflict raged around the camel. One after another warriors rushed to seize her standard; one after another they were cut down.

Of Quraish ,70 perished by the bridle. At last, Ali, perceiving that her camel was the rallying-point of the enemy, sent one of his captains to hamstring, and thus disable it. With a loud cry the animal fell to the ground. The struggle ceased and the insurgents retired into the city. Quraish (Arabic: ) refers to the Meccan tribe that Muhammad belonged to. ...

The litter, bristling with arrows like a hedgehog, was taken down, and, by desire of Ali, placed in a retired spot, where Aisha's brother Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr pitched a tent for her. Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn al-Walid al-Tartushi (أبو بكر محمد بن الوليد الطرطوش) (born 451 AH, died 520 AH) Was born in Muslim Spain and travelled as far as Baghdad. ...

As he drew aside the curtain, she screamed at the unknown intrusion;— he said "Are thine own people, then become strange unto thee?" "It is my brother! she exclaimed, and agreed to be led into the tent. The lady had escaped without a wound.

Losses in the Battle

The carnage in the ill-starred Battle of Camel (for so it came to be called) was very great. The field was covered with 10,000 bodies in equal proportion on either side; and this, notwithstanding that the victory was not followed up.Ali had given orders that no fugitive should be pursued, nor any wounded soldier slain nor plunder seized, nor the privacy of any house invaded.

Later a great trench was dug, and into it the dead were lowered, friends and foes alike. Ali, encamped for three days without the city, himself performed the funeral service. It was a new experience to bury the dead slain in battle not against the infidels, but believer fighting against believer,brother against brother. Instead of cursing the memory of his enemies,Ali spoke hopefully of the future state of such as had entered the field, on whatever side.When they brought him the sword of Zubair he cursed the man who took his life; and calling to mind the feats displayed by the man that wielded it in the early battles of Islam, exclaimed:—"Many a time hath this sword driven care and sorrow from the Prophet's brow." ABU ABDULLA ZUBAIR IBN AL-AWWAM Zubair was the son of Al Awam and the father of Abd Allah ibn Zubayr Hade his sword broken when he defended Ali and Fatimah agains Umar and then sent away to Khalid. ...

A man named Amr ibn Jarmouz followed Zubayr and murdered him while he performed Salat.The Muslims might well mourn the memory both of Talha and Zubair, remembering how on the field of Uhud the Talha had saved the life of Muhammad at the peril of his own; and how often the Zubair had carried confusion into the ranks of the idolaters of Mecca. Their fall, and that of many of the Companions, was a loss to the Ummah itself, because it left the Quraish seriously weak in the struggle yet to be fought out between them and those Arab tribes responsible for all the misunderstanding and Uthman's Murder. ABU ABDULLA ZUBAIR IBN AL-AWWAM Zubair was the son of Al Awam and the father of Abd Allah ibn Zubayr Hade his sword broken when he defended Ali and Fatimah agains Umar and then sent away to Khalid. ... The murder of Uthman ibn Affan had become Talhahs tryst with destiny. ... ABU ABDULLA ZUBAIR IBN AL-AWWAM Zubair was the son of Al Awam and the father of Abd Allah ibn Zubayr Hade his sword broken when he defended Ali and Fatimah agains Umar and then sent away to Khalid. ... Jump to: navigation, search Muhammad is a common Muslim male name. ... Quraish (Arabic: ) refers to the Meccan tribe that Muhammad belonged to. ...

In fact, this victory of Ali was virtually the victory of the besiegers of Uthman, supported by the factious citizens of Kufa. Thence forward Ali was wholly dependent upon them.Some scholars predict that if, instead, Ali had effected a compromise with Talha and Zubair, his position would have been incomparably stronger. Kufa (الكوفة al-Kufa in Arabic) is a city in Iraq, about 170 km south of Baghdad, and 10 km northeast of Najaf. ...

The booty

The bearing of 'Ali was generous towards his fallen foe. Having entered the city, he divided the contents of the treasury amongst the troops which had fought on his side, promising them a still larger reward "when the Lord should have delivered Syria (Muawiyah I) into his hands." Jump to: navigation, search Muawiyah I (602 - May 6, 680) was founder of the Umayyad Dynasty of caliphs. ...

But otherwise he treated friends and foes alike, and buried in oblivion animosities of the past. Marwan I and the adherents of the house of Banu Umayyad fled to their homes, or else found refuge in Syria and Muawiyah I. All that remained in the city swore fealty to Ali. The only class dissatisfied was that of the slaves and rabble, who murmured at having no share in the treasure, nor any chance of plunder. These, gathering into marauding bands, occasioned much disquietude to the Caliph, and hastened his departure from the city, with the view of checking the mischief they were bent on. Marwan ibn al-Hakam (623 - 685) was an Umayyad caliph who took over the dynasty after Muawiya II gave up the title in 684. ... The Courtyard of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, one of the grandest architectural legacies of the Umayyads. ... Jump to: navigation, search Muawiyah I (602 - May 6, 680) was founder of the Umayyad Dynasty of caliphs. ... Jump to: navigation, search For other uses, see Ali (disambiguation). ...

'Aisha retires to Medina

Aisha was treated by Ali with the reverence due to one who bore the title of "the Prophet's Spouse in this life and also in the life to come." She was now 45 years of age, but had lost little of the fire and vivacity of youth.After the battle, the Caliph visited her tent, and expressed his satisfaction at finding her unhurt; adding mildly, but half reproachfully:—"The Lord pardon thee for what hath passed, and have mercy upon thee." "And upon thee also!" was the pert and ready answer by Aisha. Jump to: navigation, search Aisha, Ayesha, Aisha, or Aisha (Arabic عائشة `āisha, she who lives) was a wife of Muhammad, the messenger of Islam. ...

The best house in Basra was given up to her and there she was waited on by her own adherents. Not long after, she left with a retinue of 40 maids, attended by her brother. Ali himself accompanied her a short distance on foot; and a large party went as far as the first stage to bid her farewell.

Proceeding to Mecca, she performed the Umrah (lesser Pilgrimage); and then retiring to Medina, no more attempted to interfere with the affairs of the State. Her nephew Abdullah ibn Zubair, retired with her. He became famous in the subsequent history of the Caliphate; but that was not till Aisha had passed away. She spent the remainder of her days at Medina. There crowds of pilgrims visiting the Prophet's grave (her own apartment) gazed wonderingly at the once beautiful and one of the favourite wives of Muhammad; while she, garrulous in old age, became the fertile source of tradition and the narrator of incidents in the Prophet's life beginning with her earliest childhood. Jump to: navigation, search This article is about the holy city in Saudi Arabia. ... Jump to: navigation, search The Umrah or Umra (Arabic: عمرة ) is a pilgrimage to Mecca performed by Muslims that can be undertaken at any time of the year. ... This article is about the city of Medina in Saudi Arabia. ... Jump to: navigation, search Muhammad is a common Muslim male name. ...

External sites

Shia sites

• Was Ayesha seeking Qisas for the blood of Uthman?
• Agitation Against Uthman

Anti-Islam site

• The Caliphate: Its Rise, Decline, and Fall