Rafed English
site.site_name : Rafed English

About four months after the murder of Osman, Talha and Zubeir, the brother-in-law of Ayesha reached Mecca and found things well in progress. Notwithstanding their oath of allegiance to Ali, which they now said they took under compulsion and were not therefore bound to abide by it, they longed to take up her cause, which, in case of success, was sure to prove to their own benefit. Accordingly they joined Ayesha and began to take measures against Ali, proclaming among the faction at Mecca that Al's affairs were quite in an unsettled condition. "Ayesha, Talha and Zubeir who had always been enemies of Osman, and were, in fact, the contrivers of his death and destruction, when they saw Ali elected, whom they hated equally, if not more, made use of Osman's real and sincere friends as instruments of their malice against the new Caliph. So that from very different motives they all unanimously joined in demanding satisfaction for the murder of Osman.

The joint move of Ayesha, Talha and Zubeir has been mentioned in 'Historians History of the World, Vol. VIII page 170, as follows : "Though she (Ayesha) had obviously shared the conspiracy against Osman, she now proclaimed herself as avenger and she denounced Ali as the author of his death. Joined with her were Talha and Zubeir who well knew the falsehood of Ayesha's allegation"

Simon Ockley's History of the Saracens p. 294. The standard of rebellion was raised and the tale of these distinguished persons was eagerly listened to by the factious and the revengeful Arabs at large, whose fathers and brothers had been killed by Ali in defending the Prophet's cause on the occasion of various wars in his time. Many a discontented Arab flocked under the Standard. The treasure, which Ibn Amir the deposed Governor of Busra had brought away with him, was now utilized by Talha and Zubeir in equipping the force.

Adapted from: "Ali, the Magnificent" by: "Yousuf N. Lalljee"