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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Biography of Imam `alĪ Ibn AbĪ-tĀlib The Defeat of Egypt It has been mentioned while writing the profile of Qays ibn Sa`d that as long as he remained the governor of Egypt, the administration of the territory was properly run and the fans of `Uthman did not get the opportunity to raise their heads.

When he was deposed and Muhammad ibn Abi-Bakr took over, he was an inexperienced youth of twenty-eight years, and very early in his tenure he called the fans of `Uthman of Kharbata to owe their allegiance to the Imam (a.s) and live like law abiding citizens. Otherwise, he asked them to go in exile out of the realm. They neither agreed to owe their allegiance nor they left their place in exile and said that until the circumstances are improved they would not owe their allegiance to anyone.

Not only this, they surreptitiously started intrigue and mischief. When they heard about the agreement of the arbitration, they started open rebellion and wanted to disturb the law and order of the province. When Muhammad saw their rebellious activities, he sent Yazid ibn al-Harith al-Kinani and Ibn Hambahan to ask them to stop their intrigue and mischief. But they killed both the persons. Then Muhammad sent Ibn Muzahim al-Kalbi and he too was killed by them.

Mu`awiyah ibn Hudayj al-Kindi, who was quiet until now, found the atmosphere congenial, and started open intrigue demanding retaliation for the blood of `Uthman. The people of Kharbatah were already with him. Now he was able to register support from other areas as well. The law and order was affected because of these developments and it became difficult for Muhammad to contend with the situation.

When Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s) learned about the situation in Egypt, he observed that the territory could be handled either by Qays ibn Sa`d or Malik al-Ashtar. He wanted to keep Qays with him until the verdict of the arbitration was announced. And he had been nominated as the governor for Azerbaijan. His other choice was Malik al-Ashtar and he wrote to him, “I had made Muhammad ibn Abi-Bakr the governor of Egypt. But people have started intrigue and rebellion against him.

He is still young and has little experience in warfare. You appoint Shabib ibn `Amir al-Azdi as your deputy to the governorate of Nasibahin and immediately report to me.” Malik reached to the presence of the Imam (a.s) expeditiously. The Imam (a.s) briefed him about the situation in Egypt.