The Chaliphate - Muir - The Search For Mecca

'
A.D. 644] THE ELECTORS MEET 195
on the spot. The Electors, when thus again assembled, A.H. 23.
pressed hotly each the claim of his own party, and two days
passed in unprofitable wrangling. 'Abd ar-Rahman spent
the night in visiting the leading Citizens, and the chief
officers from the
Provinces (who, having come for the yearly
Pilgrimage, had not yet departed), and in sounding their
views. On the third day, Abu Talha warned the Electors
that he would allow no further delay, and that decision must
be come to by the morning. To bring the matter to an
issue, 'Abd ar-Rahman offered to forego his own claim, if
only the rest would abide by his choice. They all agreed
but 'All, who at first was silent, but at last said : " First give
me thy word that thou wilt regard neither kith nor kin, but
right alone and the people's weal." " And I," rejoined 'Abd
ar-Rahman, " ask thee first to give me thy troth that thou
wilt abide by my choice, and against all
dissentients support
it." 'All assented, and thus the matter rested in the hands
of 'Abd ar-Rahman.
That night 'Abd ar-Rahman, closeted with each of the 'Abd ar-
Electors in turn, did not close his eyes. The contest was ^^'i-''"
., . .
umnire.
narrowed between the houses of Hasnun and Umeiya, m the
persons of 'All and 'Othmfin ;
and their influence with the
electoral body was fairl}' equal. Az-Zubeir was in favour
of 'All ; how Sa'd voted is not certain. Talha had not yet
returned. With 'All and 'Othmfm, separately, 'Abd ar-
Rahman was long in secret conference. Each pressed his
own claim ;
but each admitted the claim of the other to be
the next in weight. The morning broke upon them thus
engaged ;
and now the nomination must be made.
The courts of the Mosque overflowed with expectant
worshippers assembled for the morning service. 'Abd ar-
Rahman :— addressed them thus " The people think that
the governors, chiefs, and captains from abroad should,
without further waiting, return to their respective posts.
Wherefore advise me now in this matter." 'Ammar, late
governor of Al-Kufa, said: "If it be thy desire that there
be no division in the land, then salute 'Ah Caliph !
"
and Al-
Mikdad affirmed the same. " Nay," cried Ibn abi Sarh, " if
it be thy desire that there be no division, then salute
'Othman
!
" and Abu Rabi'a affirmed the same. 'Ammar
turned in contempt on Ibn abi Sarh, who, repaying .scorn