[^93] The term "creed of Uthman" (din-i 'Uthman) emerged in...

[^93] The term "creed of Uthman" (din-i 'Uthman) emerged in opposition to the term "creed of 'Ali." A poet belonging to Syria declared concerning the Syrian troops: Eighty thousand strong whose creed is the creed of Uthman, Squadrons, amongst whom is Gabriel who leads them on. [^94] Another Syrian poet who was at Siffin introduced himself in these words: I am a descendant of the lords of the princes of Ghassan, And today I am a follower of the creed of Uthman.

[^95] Rifa'ah ibn Shaadad also declared in a couplet: I am the son of Shaddad, on the creed of Ali, I am not a friend of Uthman, son of Arwa. [^96] It has also been stated concerning the Syrian troops that they were eighty thousand soldiers who "followed the creed of…