Q. & A. 711 to 1707 with solved Papers css 1971 to date

Consequences of Hazrat Usman’s (Rad.A) Assassination
The death of Usman (Rad.A) produced a series of disastrous consequences. Firstly, it destroyed the unity of Islamic peoples, for they, for centuries after, remained divided on the question of the Caliphate. The’Caiiphate of Ali (Rad.A) was perpetually troubled by the cries of vengeance on the murderers of Usman (Rad.A). The martyred Caliph himself had said to the rebels: ”Remember, if you ever kill me the Muslim people would not remain united in prayer or in Jihad”. Muawiya and the Umayyads rose to power on the plea of avenging the death of Usman (Rad.A).
Majid Ali Khan, writes, ”The assassination of Hazrat Usman (Rad.A) was unparalleled in Islamic history and it had far-reaching effects. Hazrat Huzaifah (Rad.A) the secret keeper of the Holy Prophet’s prophecies remarked on hearing the assassination of Hazrat Usman (Rad.A), ”Ah, the assassination of Usman (Rad.A) divided the Muslims till resurrection, they would never be united again.” It proved to be true because just after the assassination civil war started and continued upto the tragedy of Karbala. At that time the Muslim community was divided into groups. Joseph Hell, a Western historian says: ”The assassination of Hazrat Usman (Rad.A) was a signal for civil war”. Wellhausen, a German historian says, ”The murder of Hazrat Usman (Rad.A) was more epoch-making than, |l almost any other events of Islamic liistory.” Hirti has remarked: With Hazrat Usman’s (Rad.A) death the political unity of Islam came to an

284 Political and Cultural History of Islam

end. Soon Islam’s religious unity was divided. Islamic society entered upon a period punctuated with Schism and civil strife that has not yet ended.’’ Muhammad Arshad, writes, ”Unity of Islam which was maintained by the first two ”Caliphs” was lost and serious dissensions arose among the Muslims.” The assassination of Hazrat Usman (Rad.A) was followed by great civil wars and battles between the Muslims. The system of centralized government initiated by Hazrat Umar (Rad.A) was shattered and a number of internal movements started of which the Kharijite’s movement was the most serious.