But on the day that Imam 'Ali won victory he returned all...

But on the day that Imam 'Ali won victory he returned all the public property back and divided it among the Muslims. The fate of the governor of Basra Abu Mikhnaf narrates as follows what happened to 'Uthman ibn Hunayf, governor of Basra: They took him to 'A'ishah who summoned Aban son of 'Uthman ibn 'Affan and ordered him to behead 'Uthman in revenge for the murder of his father.

As a justification for such a verdict she said that though 'Uthman ibn Hunayf was not concerned in the murder of 'Uthman ibn 'Affan, he was still one of the Ansar, and the Ansar had a share in his assassination. Therefore, the death of any of the Ansar is permissible in retaliation.

When 'Uthman found himself within one step of death, he addressed 'A'ishah and her friends and said: "You know that my brother Sahl ibn Hunayf is the governor of Medina, and if you kill me I swear to God that he will not keep quiet and will put to the sword all the members of your household and tribe to avenge me, and will leave none of you alive.

Fear God and think of the abjectness and misery of your house, and the serious consequences of my death." 'Uthman's words produced the desired effect, and fearing Sahl's retaliation, they decide to forego 'Uthman's execution. Abu Mikhnaf says: After conniving at 'Uthman's death, the commanders of 'A'ishah's army set him free from prison and allowed him either to remain in Basra or to leave to join 'Ali's army.

'Uthman chose the second alternative and left Basra travelling until he reached Imam 'Ali's army. When he saw the Imam, tears flowed from his eyes and he said: "O commander of the faithful!

On the day that I left your presence I was a white-haired old man, whereas today I look like a young man with no hair at all." Imam 'Ali was so moved and vexed at this treatment given to 'Uthman by the enemies that involuntarily he said: "We are from God and we return to Him", a phrase which is used in the time of uneasiness and calamity, and he repeated it three times. The Holy Qur'an, Chapter al-Fath, Verse 20.

The third battle This battle is called the small battle of al-Jamal Abu Mikhnaf Upon the first days of 'A'ishah's army's arrival in Basra, some violent clashes took place between them and 'Uthman ibn Hunayf's forces in which a large number of Muslims were killed, and it all ended with the signing of a peace treaty.