Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 2 of 2

78 The Battles of the Camel and Siffeen, and the issue of arbitration
to another report that suggests his reason for leaving, Ibn 'Abbh
(&) reminded him of his blood ties with 'Ali (&) by saying: "How
would Satiyyah hint 'Abdul-MutJalib feel if you fought 'Ali ibn Abi
Tab ibn 'Abdul-Mumib with your
Whatever the
reasons, az-Zubayr left the battlefield and was met by Ibn Jarmooz,
who killed him,Z47 as we shall see in detail below.
Az-Zubayr (&) was aware of his goal, which was to set
things straight, but wben he saw that fighting bad broken out instead
of peace, he left and did not fight. The words of Ibn 'Abbis, "Will
you fight 'Ali ibn Abi TZb with your sword?", imply an unspoken
question: 'or have you come to set things straight and bring
unity?'"8 As a result of this conversation, az-Zubayr left the
battlefield and departed. Perhaps numerous, interconnected factors
played a role in his decision to abandon the battlefield.
As for Talhah ibn 'Ubaydull2h (&), az-Zubayr's second-iucommand
of the army of Basra, he was wounded at the beginning of
the battle when be was struck by a stray arrow. It is not hown who
shot it, but it was a direct hit and caused him to bleed heavily. His
soldiers said to hi: "0 Abu Muhammad, you are wounded. Go in
among their houses so that you can be treated." Talhah said to his
slave: "Carry me, and look for a suitable place for me." He entered
Basra and was placed in a house there to be treated, but his wound
continued to Meed until he died in that house. Then he was buried in
Basra (&).249
As for the report indicating that ai-Zubayr and Talhah (may
AUah be pleased with them) urged the people to cany on fighting,
and that ai-Zubayr only left the battlefield wben he saw that tbe
people of Basra were going to be defeated, this report is not sound.z50
It is contradicted by that which is proven of the dignity and sound
character of the Companions (&). It is also contrary to the sound
reports stating that the army of the Camel only went out to set things