Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/95

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from that post by ʾOthmân, ʾOmar's successor. He then retired into Palestine, and led a private life until after the murder of ʾOthmân the dissensions arose betwixt ʾAly and Muʾâwiyah. ʾAmru joined himself to the latter under the promise of being returned to the lieutenancy of Egypt, and he it was who, when the dispute between ʾAly and Muʾâwiyah was to be decided by two persons nominated by either party, was chosen as Muʾâwiyah's advocate. In 40, a conspiracy was formed to assassinate on the same day ʾAly at el-Medînah, Muʾâwiyah at Damascus, and ʾAmru in Egypt; but it was successful only in the case of ʾAly. ʾAmru died 43. He was justly esteemed one of the greatest men amongst the Arabs of the age in which he lived. The Prophet is reported to have said, "There is no truer a Muslim, nor any one more steadfast in the faith, than ʾAmru."

HE following is one of the best among them.

There assembled before Muʾâwiyah, ʾAmru-ibn-el-ʾAs, and Walid-ibn-ʾUkbah, and ʾUtbah-ibn-Abu-Sufyân, and el-Mughîrah-ibn-esh-Shuʾabah, who said to him, "O Commander of the Faithful! send to Hásan son of ʾAly, and let him appear before us."

"And why?" asked Muʾâwiyah.

"In order," they replied, "that we may reprove him, and inform him that his father killed ʾOthmân."