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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Nahjul Balagha Part 1, The Sermons Sermon 68: I had intended to send ... 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: ومن كلام له (عليه السلام) لمّا قلد محمّد بن أبي بكر مصر فملكت عليه وقتل I had intended to send Hashim ibn `Utbah to Egypt and had l done so he would not 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. وَقَدْ أَرَدْتُ تَوْلِيَةَ مِصْرَ هَاشِمَ بْنَ عُتْبَةَ، وَلَوْ وَلَّيْتُهُ إِيَّاهَا لَما خَلَّى لَهُمُ الْعَرْصَةَ، وَلاَ أَنْهَزَهُمُ الْفُرْصَةَ، بَلاَ ذَمٍّ لِمحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبي بَكْر، فَلَقَدْ كَانَ إِلَيَّ حَبِيباً، وَكَانَ لي رَبِيباً. Alternative Sources for Sermon 68 (1) Al-Thaqafi, al-Gharat ; (2) al-Tabari, Ta'rikh, VI, 63 (events of the year 36); (3) al-Baladhuri, Ansab, II, 404.

[^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 Sa`d 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.

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