Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 1 of 2

548 Governors at the time of 'Ali ibn Abi Ta^lib
someone to lead the pilgrims. It seems that Qatham ibn alLCAbbh led
the people in hajj in the year 37 AH only. 'Ali (&) sent Abdullah
ibn 'Abb2s to lead the pilgrims in 36 AH and 'Ubaydull2h ibn al-
'Abbss in 38 AH, although the sources differ concerning the year in
which each of them made the pilgrimage.
In 39 AH, he sent Mu'swiyah, one of his commanders in
Syria, with the pilgrims froni Syria and told him to lead the people in
hajj. When he reached Makkah, he had a dispute with Qatham ibn
'Abbis. Fighting would have broken out, were it not for the efforts of
some of the Companions to bring about reconciliation between them
on the basis that hajj would be led by one of Banu Shaybah. Thus the
pilgrimage ended peacefully and no fighting occ~ned.~
Qatham ibn al-'Abbk remained the governor of Makkah until
the arrival of MuC2wiyah's army, led by Bisr ibn Art&, whereupon
he fled, fearing for his lie. Thus Qatham's governorship ended and
Makkah was no longer under the authority of 'Ali ibn Abi T2ib
(4). 'Ali (&) sent some troops to recapture Makkah, but he (&)
was martyred before the mission could be a~complished.~
1.2. Madinah
During the time of the Messenger of Allah (&) and the three
caliphs who succeeded him, Madinah was the capital of the Islamic
state. The leader of the Muslims lived there and ran its affairs
himsell; when he travelled, he would appoint someone to run its
affairs.
However, this situation changed after allegiance was sworn to
'Ali (&) as caliph. The general state of confusion after themurder of
'Uthmk (&)meant that 'Ali (&)had to leave Madinah, especially
after Talhah, az-Zubayr and 'pishah left and headed towards Iraq
before the Battle of the camel." 'Ali(d)
appointed Sahl ibn Haneef