them and refuted their claims” (1).
With the killing of Uthmān (may Allah be pleased with him), the Muslims became divided, fighting broke out among the Companions, tribulations and factional passions spread, disagreements multiplied, opinions diverged, and fierce battles raged during the era of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) knew what tribulations would occur in their time. He once looked out from atop one of Medina’s fortified structures (2) and said, “Do you see what I see?” They replied, “No.” He said, “I see tribulations falling amid your homes as raindrops fall” (3).
Al-Nawawī said: “The comparison to falling rain indicates their abundance and all-encompassing nature: they would be numerous and affect people generally, rather than being confined to one group. This refers to the wars that took place among them, such as the Battle of the Camel, Siffīn, al-Harra, the killing of Uthmān and al-Husayn (may Allah be pleased with them both), and other events. This contains a manifest miracle of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)” (4).
C — The Battle of the Camel:
Among the tribulations that occurred after the killing of Uthmān (may Allah be pleased with him) was the famous Battle of the Camel between Alī (may Allah be pleased with him) and Āisha, Talha, and al-Zubayr (may Allah be pleased with them). After Uthmān was killed, the people came to Alī while he was in Medina and said to him: