You are not competent to interfere in these matters!

You are not competent to interfere in these matters!” He turned to Ibn `Amir and said, “We are your supporters and friends! We shall be with you in the matter of the qisas !” al-Dahhak said, “You son of the Abyssinian woman! What are you and what is your status? By Allah! One whom you support is without any support! And the one, whom you oppose, need not have any fear!” At this, both started using invectives against each other.

`Abd al-Rahman ibn `Umayr al-Tamimi said, “We have not assembled here to fight with one other. We must have unity between us. My suggestion is first to listen to the letter sent by the emir of Syria. If it sounds useful, act on it!” Therefore the letter from Mu`awiyah was read to them. He wrote, “O people of al-Basrah! You have seen the style of functioning of `Uthman. He was a peace loving and gentle mannered person. He was a supporter for the weak and friend of the oppressed.

Some cruel persons besieged him and killed him hungry and thirsty. We invite you to claim the qisas for his blood and take responsibility that the verdicts will be based on the Book and the Sunnah of the Prophet (a.s). We shall also pay half yearly pensions to the people of al-Basrah!” When this letter was read, most of the gathering supported the suggestion. Al-Ahnaf ibn Qays kept quiet and said that he was not concerned with the matter.

However, one person from the tribe of `Abd al-Qays, `Amr ibn Marhūm said, “O People! You remain firm on your previous bay`ah ! Do not create rift in the society by breaking the bay`ah ! If you break the bay`ah at the call of this person, then you will meet with calamity and destruction!

“`Abbas ibn Sahar al-`Abdi, who was inimical to the Imam (a.s) against the opinion of his tribe of `Abd al-Qays, said, “We shall support him in our words and our deeds and will not leave anything aside in helping him!” When Muthanna ibn Makhrabah al-`Abdi heard this, he told Ibn `Amir, “Do not be carried away by what Ibn Sahar has said! It is better you go back from where you have come! Otherwise, we shall send you back with our swords, spears and arrows!

Should we recant from our support to the Prophet’s cousin and enter into the bay`ah of a rebel! By Allah! It shall never happen!” When Ibn `Amir heard the emotional outbursts of the opponents, he told Sabrah ibn Shayman al-Azdi, “O Sabrah! You too are of the same opinion as us and are a great personality of the Arab World and the chief of your tribe! Help me and promise me amnesty!