Editing Uthman (section)

=== Public opposition to Uthman's policies ===
==== Reasons for the opposition ====
Noting an increase in anti-government tension around the Caliphate, Uthman's administration decided to determine its origins, extent, and aims. Some time around 654, Uthman called all twelve provincial governors to Medina to discuss the problem. During this Council of Governors, Uthman ordered that all resolutions of the council be adopted according to local circumstances. Later, in the Majlis al Shurah (council of ministers), it was suggested to Uthman that reliable agents be sent to various provinces to attempt to determine the source of the discontent. Uthman accordingly sent [[Muhammad ibn Maslamah]] to [[Kufa]], [[Usama ibn Zayd]] to [[Basra]], [[Ammar ibn Yasir]] to Egypt, and [[Abd Allah ibn Umar ibn al-Khattab|Abd Allah ibn Umar]] to Syria. The agents sent to Kufa, Basra and Syria reported that all was well – the people were generally satisfied with the administration, although some individuals had minor personal grievances. Ammar ibn Yasir, the emissary to Egypt, however, did not return to Medina. Rebels there had been issuing propaganda in favour of making Ali caliph. Ammar ibn Yasir, who had been affiliated with Ali, abandoned Uthman for the Egyptian opposition. Abd Allah ibn Sa'd, the governor of Egypt, reported about the opposition's activities instead. He wanted to take action against Ali's foster son, [[Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr]], [[Muhammad ibn Abi Hudhayfa]], Uthman's adopted son, and Ammar ibn Yasir.<ref name="CHI">''The Cambridge History of Islam'', ed. P.M. Holt, Ann K.S. Lambton, and [[Bernard Lewis]], Cambridge, 1970</ref>

==== Uthman's attempts to appease the dissidents ====
In 655, Uthman directed those with any grievance against the administration, as well as the governors and "Amils" throughout the caliphate, to assemble at Mecca for the Hajj, promising that all legitimate grievances would be redressed. Accordingly, large delegations from various cities came to present their grievances before the gathering.<ref name="Aadil">''Sirat-i-Hazrat Usman-i-Ghani'', by Mohammad Alias Aadil, publishers: Mushtaq Ahmed Lahore</ref>

The rebels realised that the people in Mecca supported Uthman and were not inclined to listen to them.<ref name="Basit" /> This represented a great psychological victory for Uthman. It is said, according to Sunni Muslim accounts, that before returning to Syria, the governor [[Muawiyah I|Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan]], Uthman's cousin, suggested that Uthman should come with him to Syria as the atmosphere there was peaceful. Uthman rejected his offer, saying that he did not want to leave the city of Muhammad (''viz.'', Medina). Muawiyah then suggested that he be allowed to send a strong force from Syria to Medina to guard Uthman against any possible attempt by rebels to harm him. Uthman rejected it too, saying that the Syrian forces in Medina would be an incitement to [[civil war]], and he could not be party to such a move.<ref name="CHI" />