Some of the champions of the these persons also concoct the excuse that some of the persons in the ranks of Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s), who were the supporters of the assassins of `Uthman, finding the signs of compromise between the two groups, felt that it was against their interests and, at the instigation of Ibn Saba, before dawn attacked the troops of Umm al-Mu’minin, and in the garb of the warriors at the Battle of the Camel attacked the troops of `Ali (a.s). Thus, they say, that either side thought that the other party had attacked them and had commenced the hostilities. Thus, the fighting spread and the responsibility of the battle does not go to either of the two groups!
This is a self-concocted story of those persons. It has no importance both from the point of view of narration (riwayah) nor knowledge or Higher Criticism (dirayah). This story was first recorded by Ibn Jarir al-Tabari in his famous book of history. Before al-Tabari no historian has touched on this story. But the historians who followed al-Tabari started quoting him and gave it a lot of publicity. Closing their eyes to the deeds of Talhah, al-Zubayr and `A’ishah, they put the blame for this bloody war on a fictitious character, Ibn Saba, and his band. Al-Tabari has quoted this story through Sayf ibn `Umar al-Tamimi, dead 170 H. According to all the historians, Sayf ibn `Umar was a liar according to all the eminent scholars of `ilm al-rijal (Biographers of Narrators). Therefore, Al-Dhahbi writes in Mizan al-I`tidal that Yahya says, “One shell is better than this”, Abū-Dawūd says, “That is nothing”, Abū-Hatam says, “Not worth quoting”, Ibn Habban says, “faithlessness and instigated by recanters.” Not a single scholar has approved of it and
considered it worth quoting. If there were some truth in the tradition, it would have acquired currency immediately after the event of Jamal. The first one to quote it was al-Tabari who came very much after the event. Even when it comes up, it is through a person who was known for his falsehoods. Is not it tantamount to closing ones eyes to facts by believing the narration of such a person? Anyone who studies the events of Jamal in depth will own that his narration appears out of place and concocted. The purpose definitely was to prove that the owners of the camel were not responsible for what had happened there was a mysterious and slimy person who stage managed the entire battle and remained incognito until al-Tabari’s narrator broke the story for him! But the pages of history are witness that before the battle started, several attempts were made by `Ali (a.s) to dissuade the trio from going to war! If that story has to be believed, would not the party of Jamal have said that `Ali’s men made a surprise, preemptive attack instead of trying for peace. To the contrary the three were always bent on settling the scores and, even before the arrival of `Ali’s army to al-Basrah they had killed tens of innocent persons to show their might.
In this connection the fictitious person, Ibn Saba, whom they term responsible for the outbreak of fighting, does not have a historical identity according to Dr taha Husayn, Egyptian Scholar, George Jurdac and other scholars. The person whose name appears prominently in connection with the assassination of `Uthman and the Battle of the Camel, his name is Safin the arbitration. His name is also heard at the time of the Battle of Nahrawan. In between, his name is not heard as if he had played the disappearing trick. One would like to know what happened to him after making his nightly attack. The truth is that his colorful personality was created to provide protection to the main characters of the episode. When his need did not remain, he was quietly withdrawn from the stage!
The Battle of the Camel was fought in the middle of Jumada II, 36 H (November 656 A.D.). There are different versions about the numbers killed. From the 30,000 strong army of Umm al-Mu’minin, 10000 or 17000 or 20.000 men killed. And from the 20,000 strong force of `Ali (a.s) 5000 or 1,070 martyred. Although this battle was a short duration affair, it had a long lasting effect on the feelings of the people. Therefore, after the Battle of the Camel, the flames of war rose from Syria and the swords of Muslims severed the heads of Muslims. If Umm al-Mu’minin, Talhah and al-Zubayr had not entered the battlefield, then Mu`awiyah would never have dared to challenge `Ali (a.s). But because of their activities, he got the time and opportunity to
prepare himself to confront `Ali (a.s). He got an excuse that Umm al-Mu’minin who was from the tribe of Taym, came out seeking retaliation for the blood of `Uthman, then Mu`awiyah, who himself was from Banū-Umayyah, like `Uthman, had more right to seek qisas for the blood of his kinsman. This was such a strong political excuse that Mu`awiyah produced as the cause of his fight with `Ali (a.s). Therefore, he instigated people to fight the Battle of Siffin with that excuse. Then he usurped the caliphate and assumed the title of the caliph of the Muslims. As a consequence of the Battle of Siffin the group of Khawarij (the Excommunicated) arose and the Battle of Nahrawan was fought. These battles caused such schisms amongst Muslims that could not be healed during the past 13 centuries.
http://www.shiavault.com/books/biogr...e-of-the-camel