Khalifa Uthman bin Affan - Coup d'etat of Muhammad b Abu Hudhaifat

In 655 C.E. when the agitation against the Government grew in momentum Abdullah b Sa'ad went to Madina to apprise the Caliph of the state of affairs in Egypt. In the absence of Abdullah b Sa'ad from Egypt Muhammad b Abu Hudhaifa staged a coup d'etat, and captured power. On coming to know of th6 coup Abdullah b Sa'ad returned to Egypt but he failed to, recapture power. He retired to Ramlah where he died two years later. On coming to power in Egypt Muhammad b Hudhaifa sent Muhammad b Abu Bakr and 'Ammar b Yasir to Madina to prepare the ground in Madina for revolt against Uthman. Thereafter he sent a strong contingent from Egypt with the instructions to overthrow the Government of Uthman, and kill him if he refused to abdicate.

After the assassination of Uthman, Ali became the Caliph, and he appointed Muhammad b Abu Bakr as the Governor of Egypt. Muhammad b Hudhaifa resented his deposition. 'Amr b Al 'Aas who was originally opposed to Uthman turned a somersault and joined Muawiyah against Ali. Muhammad b Abu Hudhaifa also joined 'Amr b Al 'Aas . 'Amr b Al 'Aas captured Egypt, and Muhammad b Abu Bakr was killed.

In Islamic history, Muhammad b Abu Hudhaifa stands for an ungrateful person who worked for the murder of the man who was more than a father to him.