ʿAbd Allah ibn Saʿd ibn Abī Sarḥ, who nonetheless continued to lead the people in prayer there. When Ibn Abī Sarḥ was already some distance along the road, news reached him that the Commander of the Faithful, ʿUthmān, had been killed; he exclaimed, “Surely we belong to Allah, and to Him we shall return.”

He also learned that ʿAlī had appointed Qays ibn Saʿd ibn ʿUbādah to the governorship of Egypt, whereupon he gloated over Muḥammad ibn Abī Ḥudhayfah, for the latter had not enjoyed authority over the Egyptian lands for even a single year.

ʿAbd Allah ibn Saʿd (1) then travelled to Syria to see Muʿāwiyah and informed him of what had transpired in Egypt, namely that Muḥammad ibn Abī Ḥudhayfah had seized control of it. Muʿāwiyah and ʿAmr ibn al-ʿĀṣ therefore marched against him in order to drive him out, for he was among the foremost accomplices in the murder of ʿUthmān—even though ʿUthmān had reared him, provided for him, and treated him kindly.

They tried to enter Egypt but could not. They went on deceiving him until he withdrew to al-ʿArīsh with a thousand men and fortified himself there. ʿAmr ibn al-ʿĀṣ came, set up a catapult against him, and continued the bombardment until he came down with thirty of his companions; they were killed. This was related by Muḥammad ibn Jarīr (2).

Qays ibn Saʿd ibn ʿUbādah next set out for Egypt with an appointment from ʿAlī (3). He entered the province with only seven men, ascended the pulpit, and read aloud a letter from the Commander of the Faithful, ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib (4):

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

From ʿAbd Allah ʿAlī, Commander of the Faithful, to everyone among the believers and Muslims who receives this letter: peace be upon you. I praise Allah abundantly before you—there is no deity but He. To proceed:

By His gracious favour, His decree, and His wise governance, Allah chose Islam as a religion for Himself, His angels, and His messengers. He sent the messengers with it to His servants and selected for it whom He wished (5) from among His creation.

Among the honours with which Allah favoured this community, and the excellence He bestowed upon them, is that He sent Muḥammad to teach them the Book, wisdom, the prescribed duties, and the Sunnah (6) so that they might be guided, united rather than divided, purified so that they might be cleansed, and enabled so that they would not act unjustly. When he had accomplished what was required of him, Allah took him to Himself—may blessings, peace, mercy, and benedictions be upon him.

Thereafter the Muslims entrusted leadership to two righteous rulers who acted according to the Book and the Sunnah, conducted themselves well, and never deviated from the Sunnah until Allah caused them to die—may Allah have mercy on them. After them there arose a governor who introduced innovations; the community criticised him, then grew indignant and altered the situation. They subsequently came to me and pledged allegiance to me; I therefore seek guidance through Allah’s guidance and ask His help to remain dutiful to Him (7).

Know that you have a right upon us: that we act in accordance with the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, uphold His due with regard to you (8), and offer you sincere counsel in private. Allah is the One from Whom help is sought; Allah suffices us, and He is the best disposer of affairs.

I have dispatched to you Qays ibn Saʿd ibn ʿUbādah, so support him, stand by him, and help him in