Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr

Role in the revolt against Uthman

Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr first appears as a notable agitator in Egypt against Caliph Uthman and his governor, Abd Allah ibn Sa'd, alongside Muhammad ibn Abi Hudhayfa. In April 656, a delegation of between 400 and 700 Egyptians arrived in Medina under the ostensible purpose of performing the Umrah (lesser pilgrimage). This group was led by Abd al-Rahman ibn Udays, Sudan ibn Humran, and Amr ibn al-Hamiq. Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr had arrived in Medina ahead of the main rebel force to coordinate their efforts. The rebels initially camped at Dhu Khushub, a night's journey north of the city, on May 1, 656 (1 Dhu al-Qa'da 35 AH).

Following initial negotiations, the rebels began to withdraw from Medina after Uthman promised to address their grievances and replace the governor of Egypt with Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr. However, somewhere along their return journey, they intercepted a rider carrying a letter from Uthman to his deputy in Egypt, ordering that the leaders, including Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr, have their hands and feet cut off upon arrival.

The rebels returned to Medina and besieged Uthman's residence. During the final assault on the palace, Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr entered the Caliph's chambers through a neighboring building. According to historical accounts, he was the first to "lay violent hands" upon Uthman, seizing him by his beard. However, after a brief exchange in which Uthman reminded him of his father's respect for the Caliph, Muhammad reportedly felt ashamed and withdrew from the room, leaving the final fatal blows to be dealt by others.

Service under Ali and Governorship of Egypt

Following the Battle of the Camel, where Muhammad fought, Ali entrusted him with escorting Aisha back to Mecca or Medina. On February 657, Ali appointed Muhammad as the Governor of Egypt following the dismissal of Qays ibn Sa'd, because Qays had made peaceful arrangements with the local pro-Uthman factions and avoided taking aggressive action against them.

Muhammad's tenure was marked by significant internal strife. According to Norman Calder, the turmoil in the province resulted from a lack of popular support for Ali's rule and Muhammad's specific administration; this political vacuum paved the way for the Uthmaniyya to gain support for their own agenda against the caliphate.

Muhammad struggled to maintain control over the various factions in Egypt. Lesley Hazleton notes that Ali eventually acknowledged Muhammad was an "inexperienced young man" for such a volatile post. Consequently, Ali attempted to replace him with his most seasoned general, Malik al-Ashtar. However, Malik died under suspicious circumstances believed by many to be poisoning before reaching Egypt, leaving Muhammad to face the impending Umayyad invasion alone.

Defeat and death

In July 658, Mu'awiya I dispatched an army of six thousand soldiers under Amr ibn al-As to Egypt, responding to a request for intervention from the pro-Uthman mutineers. Prior to the conflict, Muhammad incurred significant criticism from the Yemeni settlers of Egypt, who ultimately abandoned him during the campaign. Muhammad's remaining troops were defeated by Amr's forces, and the provincial capital of Fustat was captured.

Following the rout, Muhammad attempted to find refuge in a nearby ruin but was captured by the pro-Uthman rebels led by Mu'awiya ibn Hudayj. Accounts of his final moments describe a sharp exchange with his captors; despite his status as the son of the first Caliph, his request for water was denied. Ibn Hudayj executed him out of hand following a personal quarrel. In a final act of desecration, the victors reportedly sewed Muhammad's body into the skin of a dead donkey and burned it.