The Martyr Guest of Paradise (3/3)

Moreover, some of the rebels were not satisfied only by abusing and insulting him publicly, nor did they suffice that one of them attacked him while being on the pulpit of the Messenger of Allah "Allah's blessing and peace be upon him", getting himself ready to deliver the sermon of Friday. But, they were tempted by his forbearance and patience. They thought, though it was ill, that the reason for such forbearance and patience was the caliph's eager to keep his office. They did not learn, or perhaps they knew and disregarded that the real cause of his forbearance and patience was his deep insight of the coming disastrous destiny of both the nation and the state, in case they violated the authority and then assassinated the caliph.

Earlier, he had said to them: "The people ran to take part in the affliction, when they regarded my lifetime as too long to bear. By Allah! If I depart from them, surely they would hope that my lifetime should be longer as much as а year per each day they would live after me, in view of the bloodshed from which they would suffer."

His deep insight of the coming destiny which realized his prophecy prompted him to keep patient, and seeking for every possible means with which the rebels might abandon their affliction. But, the chiefs of the rebels, who had long prepared for it, were not to be satisfied by less than exploding the blowing up grudges and resentment so that the whole state would fall into pieces.

Since they caught hold of the situation, they got themselves ready for the final strike. They besieged the caliph's home in preparation for it. The period of this blockade was too long to the inhabitants of Medina to become familiar with it, who went on going and returning, and living their normal and usual life.

All of them were certain that something would happen, after which it would be clear, and the rebels would turn away. But, no one expected, in spite of the violence of this rebellion, that а hand would stretch to kill the caliph. He was an old man, of eighty or even over eighty. He belonged to the very early faithful believers. He also was а son-in-law of the Messenger of Allah "Allah's blessing and peace be upon him", as well as his (third) successor, and the one who was given by him the glad tidings of being admitted in Paradise. He was the one who prepared the Army of Difficulty, and devoted his own property and wealth with no accounting in the Cause of Allah, His Messenger and religion.

Who would not take care of such sanctities, whatever his differences with the caliph might be? Who from among those who had even as little as an atom's weight of faith in his heart could be prompted foolishly to face Uthman with any sort of arms?

In fact, the assassination of the caliph uncovered the reality of the conspiracy, and some of its hateful chiefs. It also uncovered that there were multitudes of people, who were not short of good intentions, but, they were deceived and tempted and then followed а group of those, who expected all evil for Islam.

We mentioned that whenever the nervous tension reached its peak, none would be able to get rid of it, but through facing the fears which irritated it. The violent facing went on its way as such, and it became necessary for the theater to be prepared for receiving the final scene.

Within the home of the caliph, there were Marwan and some of his armed followers. At the gates, there were some of bounteous companions, who hurried carrying their arms, in order to sacrifice their lives for the caliph. They included both АI-Hasan and AI-Husain, sons of Ali, who sent them to safeguard the opening of the home. They also had both of Abdullah Ibn Az-Zubair and Abdullah Ibn Umar, in addition to others among them.

Outside and surrounding the home, there were many rows of the armed rebels. They became more eagerly enthusiastic when the news reached them that Mu'awiyah had sent а force from Sham, which was about to arrive in Medina.

As for the caliph, he became in the morning of that day (on which he was martyred) thinking of another world, likely heedless of what was happening in this world. He received an invitation to Paradise, by which he was so much occupied from anything else.

On the previous night, after he had offered as much prayers and recited as much Qur'an as he could, then surrendered himself to his Lord, imploring and invoking Him, and went to bed, he saw in his dream the Messenger of Allah "Allah's blessing and peace be upon him" having said to him: "(Observe fast but) break your fast with us tomorrow О Uthman.”

What cheerful words they were, which brought him to а new life! It was а true vision (in а dream), in which Uthman had faith most. Thus, he had only а short time before getting ready for the appointment of the Selected one (i.e. the Prophet), and the journey of eternity, after which he will leave to the people their world, and to the rebels those four walls which they besieged, going in his great procession to the Hospitality of Allah, and the neighborhood of Muhammad.

On that day, he got up with the intention of observing fast. However, from the very early days of his embracing Islam, he used to observe fasts during most of days, and stand during all the nights for offering supererogatory prayers. He called all who were present with him, inside and outside the home, carrying arms in defense of him to put down their arms, and leave the home with gratitude and by Allah's blessing. But, all of them, particularly AI-Hasan, AI-Husain, and sons of Umar and Az-Zubair, rejected to leave their positions with and surrounding him. But the constant order of the caliph kept on calling everyone carrying arms to put down his arms: "No doubt, the greatest one from among you to benefit he would be а man, who stopped himself and his arms (from bloodshed). I beseech you by Allah not to shed а single drop of blood for my sake."

Then, he heard а great noise outside the home. А lot of the inhabitants of Medina came and clashed with the rebels, trying to turn them away from the caliph's home. The caliph looked over the gatherings of people from the window of his home. He addressed the rebels with his last words, with which he wanted to free himself: "О people! Do not kill me! By Allah! If you killed me, you would fail to love one another after me, and you would also fail to offer your prayers congregationally (behind а single imam upon whom you will be unanimous)."

Then, he returned to his room, offered two Rak'ahs. Then, he carried his Mushaf in his hand, and went on reciting and reciting thoughtfully, enjoying of its perfect Holy Verses, and fresh and flourishing gardens.

On the other hand, the chiefs of the affliction became more furious, and feared that they might be overpowered. So, they issued their command to attack the home. But the pure group of companions, including AI-Hasan, AI-Husain, Ibn Umar and Ibn Az-Zubair showed great bravery in facing and turning away the rebels submissively.

They became more angry, since the devil of the crime touched them. They saw а home neighboring that of the caliph. They decided to jump over its fence, and from which, they would come into the place of the caliph. They selected from among them а group to do the task quickly. They called upon Muhammad Ibn Abu Bakr to accompany them.

It was not after а few minutes that the plan they had prepared was achieved. Suddenly, the caliph saw before him those who jumped the wall, led by Muhammad Ibn Abu Bakr. He caught hold of the caliph's beard with his hand, and started threatening him. As quiet as the holy men, he called him: "О son of my brother! Let my beard, which your father used to honour, and had he seen you as such, surely he would have felt shy of what you are doing."

Then, Muhammad was shocked and his hand returned regretfully and submissively. He turned away, running outside the home, driving before him those who jumped the fence with him. In front of the gate of the house, he stood, trying to drive away the crowds of the attackers.

But, the chiefs of the affliction got so much mad, and were shaken by Muhammad's situation as they had never been before. They saw their dull destiny. So, they attacked the home at а time, and jumped to it as hungry wolves from above the wall which was close to it. Then, they intruded the seclusion of the caliph.

At this time, he had reached in his reciting the following Holy Verse:

"Men said to them: а great army is gathering against you: and frightened them: but it (only) increased their Faith: they said: for us Allah sufficient, and He is the best Disposer of affairs."

He paid no attention to them. Perhaps, he did not feel of their entering upon him, for the pleasure of his spirit, his delight of the Holy Verses of his Lord, in addition to his joy of the meeting in Paradise, to which he was invited, screened him from seeing the devil ghosts.

He kept reciting, while the criminals rushed to commit their wicked crime of' killing him. He neither resisted, nor moved from his sitting lace, nor let his Mushaf. When his palm was strongly struck, he did no more than saying: "By Allah! It is the first hand to write lines of the Mufassal and the Holy Verses of Qur'an."

When he saw his blood overflowing, wetting the papers of the Mushaf, he folded it lest it might contaminate some of its Holy Verses. Then, he embraced to hiis breast while dying. When his (dead) body lies still and motionless, the Book of Allah was sticking to him as his intimate friend; and who else might have more right than him to be so? Is not it he, who made it а single (way of recitation), kept and sacrificed his life for it?

His rapid assassination was in the period between afternoon and the short period before sunset. Then, there was а sufficient time for his spirit to reach its appointment at the repast of breakfast in Paradise at the time of sunset. Let it then ascend to its Evolver and Creator, and go joyfully to His Hospitality. Here, the Messenger of Allah "Allah's blessing and peace be upon him", and his two companions Abu Bakr As-Siddiq and Umar AI-Faruq expected for him very eagerly, and had а great longing to see him.

Uthman suffered а lot for as long as twelve years, which spent as caliph, carrying the heavy burdens, as well as the banner of caliphate. He was mainly concerned with having the flag not fall down from his right hand. He also was interested in meeting Allah, having no single drop of Muslim blood.

Did he achieve his objective? Yes, he did. Let then his dead body for the ground, full or even void of injuries it might be. This matter was insignificant in his sight, as long as his pure spirit got its happy future with Allah.