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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Role of Aishah in the History of Islam (volume 2) Ali's Army At the Az-zawiyah Halting-place 'A'ishah! Fear God and return home. 'Ali left Dhu Qar and reached the stopping place of az-Zawiyah near Basra and stayed there for a few days. At this point which was his third halting place al-Isti'ab on Talhah, al-'Iqd al-farid, History of the battle of al-Jamal, al-Aghani 11/119. and camp, certain events occurred.

From here he wrote a letter to the enemy commanders in Basra, quoted by Sibt ibn al-Jawzi as follows: "In the Name of God. This is a letter from 'Ali, commander of the faithful, to Talhah and az-Zubayr and 'A'ishah. Salutations to you! O Talhah and az- Zubayr, you yourselves know well that I had no desire to be a caliph and ruler. But there was too much insistence by the people compelling me to accept this great responsibility and at last I shouldered this heavy duty and agreed to be a caliph.

You two also swore allegiance to me most willingly. Today I interpellate and ask you why, despite your utmost willingness and option for allegiance on that day, you violate your pact and allegiance? Fear God, and repent the sin of perfidiousness. If you swore allegiance to me unwillingly, then I have the right to protest to you, since it shows that you are hypocrites, you acted upon something in which you had no faith, thus pretending agreement with me, while you opposed me at heart. O Talhah!

Great Emigrant! O az-Zubayr! Warrior of the Quraysh! If you had opposed me before swearing allegiance it would have been better and nobler of you than swearing allegiance to me on that day and breaking it today. 'A'ishah! You too have disobeyed God's command and disregarded the order of your husband, the Prophet of God, since you have left your house contrary to the order of God and His prophet.

You intend to undertake a task, which is not related to you, and yet you imagine that in this way you will establish peace and tranquility among the Muslims. Alas! How mistaken you are and how far from truth! Tell me, 'A'ishah, what has a woman to do with campaigning? What place has a woman in rising to fight men? 'A'ishah! The fact is that you intend to kindle the fire of mischief and sedition amidst the Muslims and shed their innocent blood. 'A'ishah!

You imagine that you have risen up to avenge 'Uthman's blood. What have you to do with 'Uthman's blood?