Nahjul Balagha [Electronic resources] نسخه متنی

When Amir al-mu'minin appointed
Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr ⁽¹⁾ Governor of Egypt and he was
overpowered and killed, Amir al-mu'minin said:

I had intended to send Hashim ibn Utbah to Egypt
and had l done so he would have made way for the opponents nor given them time (to get
hold of him). This is without reproach to Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr as I loved him and had
brought him up.
⁽¹⁾.
Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr's mother was Asma' bint Umays whom Amir al-mu'minin married after
Abu Bakr's death. Consequently, Muhammad lived and was brought up under the care of Amir
al-mu'minin and he imbibed his ways and manners. Amir al-mu'minin too loved him much and
regarded him as his son, and used to say "Muhammad is my son from Abu Bakr." He
was born in the journey for the last hajj (of the Prophet) and died as martyr in 38 A.H.
at the age of twenty eight years.
On accession to the Caliphate Amir
al-mu'minin had selected Qays ibn Sad ibn Ubadah as the Governor of Egypt but
circumstances so developed that he had to be removed and Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr had to be
sent there as Governor. The policy of Qays there was that he did not want to take any
serious step against the Uthmani group but Muhammad's view was different. After the lapse
of a month he sent them word that in case they did not obey him their existence there
would be impossible. Upon this these people organised a front against him, and engaged
themselves in secret wire-pullings, but became conspicuous soon. After arbitration they
started creating trouble with the slogan of vengeance. This polluted the atmosphere of
Egypt. When Amir al-mu'minin came to know these deteriorated conditions he gave the
governorship of Egypt to Malik ibn al-Harith al-Ashtar and sent him off there in order
that he might suppress insurgent elements and save the administration from getting worse,
but he could not escape the evil designs of the Umayyads and was killed by poison while on
his way. Thus, the governorship of Egypt remained with Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr.
On this side, the performance of
Amr ibn al-As in connection with the Arbitration made Muawiyah recall his own promise.
Consequently, he gave him six thousand combatants and set him off to attack Egypt. When
Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr knew of the advancing force of the enemy he wrote to Amir
al-mu'minin for help. Amir al-mu'minin replied that he would be soon collecting help for
him but in the meantime he should mobilise his own forces. Muhammad mobilised four
thousand men under his banner and divided them into two parts. He kept one part with
himself and on the other he placed Kinanah ibn Bishr at-Tujibi in command and ordered him
to go forward to check the enemy's advance. When they settled down in camp before the
enemy various parties of the enemy began attacking them but they faced them with courage
and valour. At last Muawiyah ibn Hudayj as-Sakuni al-Kindi made an assault with full
force. These people did not turn away from the enemy's swords but faced them steadfastly
and fell as martyrs in action. The effect of this defeat was that Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr's
men got frightened and deserted him. Finding himself alone Muhammad fled away and sought
refuge in a deserted place. The enemy however got news about him through someone and
traced him out when he was dying with thirst. Muhammad asked for water but these cruel men
refused and butchered him thirsty. Then they put his body in the belly of a dead ass and
burnt it.
Malik ibn Kab al-Arhabi had
already left Kufah with two thousand men but before he could reach Egypt it had been
occupied by the enemy.
.

Forward to Sermon 68.

Back to Sermon 66.