The Chaliphate - Muir - The Search For Mecca

CHAPTER XLI
REVOLT OF EGYPT
38 A.H. 658 A.D.
Having dispersed the fanatics at Nahrawan and recrossed Ali gives up
the Tigris, 'All turned his face as^ain towards Syria. But ^y'^".
campaign.
the troops
,
urged that, before so long a campaign, their End of
armour needed refitting. " Let us return for a little to our V ^l^'
April,
homes," they said, " to
.
furbish up our
.
swords and lances, 658 a.d.
and replenish our empty quivers." 'All consenting, they
marched back and encamped in the vicinity of Al-Kufa.
The soldiers dropped off in small parties thither ; and in
a short time the camp was left almost empty. 'All, finding
that none returned, became impatient, and himself entering
Al-Kufa, again harangued the people on the obligation to
go forth with him and make war on Syria. Ikit exhortation
and reproach fell equally on listless ears. There was no
response. 'All lost heart. The S}'rian expedition fell
through, and the opportunity passed.
Thus closed the 37th year of the Hijra. The situation Tosition of
was unchanged. Mu'awiya, with now a colourable title
j([u'.-j"f..a
to the Caliphate, remained in undisturbed possession of
Syria, strong in the loyalty and affections of his subjects
;
while 'All, mortified by an indifferent and alienated people,
was now to experience a severer trial in the loss of Egypt.
We have seen that a powerful faction in that dependency Egj-pt in
sided with those demanding satisfaction for the blood of
'Othman ; and that Keis having been recalled for not
suppressing the dissentients, Mohammad son of Abu Bekr
had been appointed in his room. Casting aside the wise
policy of his predecessor, Mohammad demanded of the
recusants at once to submit, or to be gone from h^g>'pt.
i77
^^""'^ ^'