After that the people decided to resist the aggression and to return in kind if they had aggressed against them and not to start them with fighting if they did not start them with fighting.
The Conclusion of the Truce
Some violent clashes took place between the two parties and led to killing some people and wounding others. As for Uthman bin Hunayf, he had intended to make peace with them and to fight against the people before he received a command from Imam Ali. Accordingly, he stopped fighting and concluded a timely truce until he knew the Imam’s viewpoint. This is the text of the truce: “This is for which Uthman bin Hunayf al-Ansari and the believers from among the Shia of the Commander of the Faithful, Ali bin Abi Talib, have made peace with Talha, al-Zubayr, the believers, and the Muslims from among their followers. The things that belong to Uthman bin Hunayf are the House of Government, the courtyard, the mosque, the public treasury, and the pulpit. And as for the things that belong to Talha, al-Zubayr, and those with them, they are that they have the right to reside wherever they wish in Basra. They should not harm each other on a road, at a gap (of a river), in a market, through a law, or through a public utility until the Commander of the faithful, Ali bin Abi Talib, comes. If they like, they will follow that which the community has followed. And if they like, every people have the right to follow their own opinion, or fighting, peace, departure, or residence. Concerning that which they have written, the two parties should conform to Allah’s promise and covenant. They should also conform to the strong promise and covenant Allah had taken from His prophets.”
The two parties signed the truce. As for Uthman bin Hunayf, he went to the House of Government and commanded his companions to lay down their weapons and go to their houses.
Treachery and Treason
Talha and al-Zubayr sent letters to the prominent and notable people. They summoned them to avenge Uthman and depose Imam Ali, and dismiss Uthman bin Hunayf. The tribes of al-Azd, Dhabbah, Qays, and Aylan responded to them. Many simple people and the ambitious followed them, too. When the affairs went well with them, they betrayed and broke the truce they had concluded. They attacked Uthman bin Hunayf in the House of Government in the dark night. They arrested and punished him. They pulled out the hair of his head, his beard, and his eye-brows.[1] They looted that which
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[1] Sharh Nahj al-Balagha, vol. 2, p. 50. It has been mentioned: “They dismissed