`Amr said that he had seen his father...

`Amr said that he had seen his father, `Affan, and that he was no match for his own father, al-`As ibn Wa’il. At this `Uthman did not say anything but Marwan, who was listening, became angry and told `Uthman, “You have come to such a pass that `Amr is not sparing even your father.” After this harsh exchange, `Amr redoubled his campaign of vilification and registered the opinion of Talhah, al-Zubayr and others against the caliph.

When the sentiments of the people were aroused against `Uthman and he was in literal house-arrest, `Amr left for Palestine where he was having a palatial house for himself to see his designs bear fruit against the caliph from a distance and save himself from the blame for the consequences One day he was busy conversing with Salamah ibn Rawh al-Judhami and two of his own sons, Muhammad and `Abdullah, that a horseman passed that way. He called him and asked from where he was coming.

He said that he was from al-Madinah and informed that `Uthman was still in heavy siege at his residence. Then another rider from al-Madinah passed that way who informed that `Uthman was assassinated. On hearing this `Amr said: “I am the father of `Abdullah! In whatever task I put my hand; I never leave it half finished!”[1] Ibn al-Athir writes that when the news of `Uthman’s killing reached him, `Amr said: “I am `Abdullah’s father! I have killed `Uthman living in the Valley of al Saba.

If Talhah becomes the caliph, he is a young Arab, kind and charitable. If ibn Abi-Talib gets the caliphate then from the point of view of governance he is not a desirable person.”[2] He was still celebrating his success when he received the news of `Ali (a.s) becoming the caliph. As soon he got this news, he caught hold of his head.

After some days when he learned that `A’ishah, Talhah and al-Zubayr have turned against `Ali (a.s), his hope was revived and awaited the result of the Battle of the Camel. But when he heard of the victory of `Ali (a.s), all his [1] Tārīkh al-Tabarī, Vol 3, Page 392 [2] Al-Kāmil fit-Tārīkh, Vol 3, Page 141 hopes were shattered. However, when he heard that Mu`awiyah had refused to owe allegiance to `Ali (a.s) he saw a ray of hope in the development.

He did have the craving for power and had spent a major portion of his life holding positions of power. Although he was old, his desire for power was still young! Therefore, he approached Mu`awiyah with a wish for the governorate of Egypt.