Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 1 of 2

'Ali ibn Abi Tcilib 579
number of things, the most important of which was putting the affairs
of Sijistan in order after the murder of its governor at the hands of a
group of Kharijites. On 'Ali's instructions, Ibn 'Abbis sent a number
of troops from Basra who managed to kill the Kharijites there, put its
affairs in order and bring security to its people in 36 AH.16'
Ibn 'Abbis and the troops of Basra also played a role with 'Ali
ibn Abi T%b (&) in the battle of siffeen.16' Ibn 'Abbis played a
role in organising some of the regions belonging to his province and
appointing amirs there who were under authority. He sent Ziyid
ibn Abeehi to Persia, where he managed to sort out the situation and
discipline the people after they had rebelled.'63 During his time, the
people of Astakhar broke their covenant, so he attacked them and
disciplined them.164 In 38 AH, Mu'iwiyah ibn Abi Sufy2n sent a
man to Basra to promote his cause among its people, but Ziygd ibn
Abeehi, who was Ibn 'Abbh's deputy in Basra, succeeded in
resisting him until he killed the man in one of the houses of ~asra."~
Ibn 'Abbh (4) accompanied 'Ali (&) on many of his
ventures in Iraq. If something happened while Ihn 'Abbb was in
Basra, he would keep 'Ali (&) informed by means of letters that he
sent to him continually; he also wrote letters to ask his opinion about
many issues and matters of governorship. In 38 AH, 'Ali (&) sent
Ibn 'Abbk as his deputy in charge of the hajj. According to at-
Tabari, Ihn 'Abbis (&) remained as governor of Basra until 'Ali
(&) was martyred. The governor of Basra had a number of helpers
at the time of 'Ali (&), .. including the judge, the chief of police, the
official in charge of the land tax and others. The province of Basra
also included some areas of Persia.
From the information cited above, it is clear that after
allegiance was sworn to him, 'Ali ibn Abi T2ib (&) hastened to
dismiss Ihn 'Amir, who was 'Uthmiin's governor in Basra, and he
appointed instead 'Uthmin ibn Haneef. Then the Battle of the Camel