The Rightly Guided....

Part 1

It was twilight in Medina, several days before the Hajj seasons, and prominent Muslims from all around the empire would be returning to Medina for the annual pilgrimage. It was also a time, when Medina was under siege. From Muslims themselves who had not been pleased with Uthman and were intent on creating chaos. The rebels knew that in a few weeks the hajj would come, and they would be hopelessly outnumbered. Even now they were outnumbered, but the Caliph forbade any action against fellow Muslims. The men of Medina took no action, and went about their lives as if nothing had happened. Though several prominent members such as Abdullah bin Zubayr, Aisha binte Abu Bakr, Hasan bin Ali, Marwan bin Hakam incited the populace to attack the rebels. Though Uthman forbade any violence. The rebels timidity in part played the biggest role in their downfall. After several weeks of besieging Uthman’s house, the Islamic forces in Mecca for the Hajj attacked Medinah, relieving their Caliph. Every rebel was killed in cold blood as the city was surrounded, and the citizens of Medinah joined the fray. The leaders, Abdullah ibn Saba, Muhamad bin Abu Bakr, Muhammad ibn Hudhaifa and others were hung, and their bodies carried on the backs of donkeys through out the empire. Uthman frowned upon the violence, though he knew they had saved his life. There were still cells throughout the empire that sought to bring down chaos, but they were all defeated by Uthman’s trusty governers. [FONT=&quot][/FONT]
 
Ummm... what are you trying to accomplish? How is this gonna make the world any different? Tell us the importance of your POD before jumping right into it!;)
 
You need to write more than a paragraph to get people interested, I know this from experience.

Alright.


Part II

With the rebellion crushed, the Caliph Uthman sent out armies and bands of trusted warriors to defeat cells of rebellion in different cities mainly Kufa, Fustat and Basra. Within several weeks the whole of the Rashidun Empire was once again in the hands of Uthman. His trusted kinsmen and close companions of the prophet were sent to replace the governors who were seen as weak, or couldn' stop the rebellion.

While these disturbing times came to pass, the Byzantine Empire seeing a chance to retake the prized provinces of Syria and Egypt ammased an army of 50 000 Byzantine Imperial Troops and enlisted the help of Christian Bedouin Tribes in the region who threw their lot in with Constans II. With banners flying proud and dissent from the Bedouins, the Greeks attacked a surprised garrison at Antioch, and the Muslim garrison was forced to retreat back towards Emessa. Emir Muawiyah sent his full force of 60 000 men to attack the Byzantine Army, and the governor of Mosul the newly appointed Muhammad ibn Maslamah sent 15 000 men, with himself at the head. Carrying the sword of the Prophet Muhammad himself (Prophet gave him his sword) he routed the Bedouin tribes so thoroughly they never thought to rise in arms again. With the Arabs defeated Ibn Maslamah marched west towards the gates of Antioch. The army of Muawiyah commanded by his son Yazid attacked the Byzantine Army from the front, engaging in pitched battle, and Muhammad ibn Maslamah surprised the Byzantines by attacking the camp, taking much loot. When the Byzantines realised their women and possessions were in danger, they retreated and the Muslims pursued them towards Anatolia. Once again the hilly range of Asia Minor was once again in Muslim hands.

After the astounding victories by Muawiyah he asked permission from Caliph Uthman to attack Constantinople, the big prize. He asked for several thousand more men, and the fleet from Alexandria, but Uthman was passive. "Many armies have knocked upon the gates of Konstantinnye, but none have managed to enter. It will be futile to attempt to attack such a stronhold" Uthman said But Muawiyah was relentless. Soon he would get his wish...
 
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