CHAPTER XLI
REVOLT OF EGYPT
38 A.H. 658 A.D.
ʿAlī gives up Syrian campaign.
End of 37 A.H.
April, 658 A.D.Having dispersed the fanatics at Nahrawān and recrossed the Tigris, ʿAlī turned his face again towards Syria. But the troops urged that, before so long a campaign, their armour needed refitting. "Let us return for a little to our homes," they said, "to furbish up our swords and lances, and replenish our empty quivers." ʿAlī consenting, they marched back and encamped in the vicinity of Al-Kūfa. The soldiers dropped off in small parties thither; and in a short time the camp was left almost empty. ʿAlī, finding that none returned, became impatient, and himself entering Al-Kūfa, again harangued the people on the obligation to go forth with him and make war on Syria. But exhortation and reproach fell equally on listless ears. There was no response. ʿAlī lost heart. The Syrian expedition fell through, and the opportunity passed.
Position of ʿAlī and Muʿāwiya.Thus closed the 37th year of the Hijra. The situation was unchanged. Muʿāwiya, with now a colourable title to the Caliphate, remained in undisturbed possession of Syria, strong in the loyalty and affections of his subjects; while ʿAlī, mortified by an indifferent and alienated people, was now to experience a severer trial in the loss of Egypt.
Egypt in revolt.We have seen that a powerful faction in that dependency sided with those demanding satisfaction for the blood of ʿOthmān; and that Ḳeis having been recalled for not suppressing the dissentients, Moḥammad son of Abu Bekr had been appointed in his room. Casting aside the wise policy of his predecessor, Moḥammad demanded of the recusants at once to: submit, or to be gone from Egypt.
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