Uthman summoned Sa'id to Medina for consultations regarding the state of the caliphate in 655. During his absence, the qurra and other dissidents led by a certain Yazid ibn Qays al-Arhabi and Ibn al-Ashtar seized control of Kufa, preventing Sa'id from returning at the end of the year. Forced to return to Medina, he was replaced by Abu Musa al-Ash'ari, who was favored by the rebels.
