Uthman’s Assassination

In Shawwal of year 35 H,

they prepared to move from Egypt with four battalions made up of around 600 fighters.

Each battalion had its commander but Al-Ghafiqi was the overall commander.

They pretended that they were traveling to perform the pilgrimage,

but when they arrived in Madinah, they began to carry out their conspiracy.

Tension was high and the rebels were able to prevent the caliph from leading

the congregational prayer in the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.

It was Al-Ghafiqi who led the prayer instead.

When Satan was able to persuade them to commit their most serious of crimes and murder the caliph

Al-Ghafiqi was one of the culprits,

hitting Uthman with an iron bar he was carrying, and kicking his copy of the Qur’an.

After Uthman’s assassination, Al-Ghafiqi wielded power in Madinah for five days.