A heavy responsibility under grave cir­cumstances fell upon the shoulders of Ali.  A tragedy had just taken place, the rebel­lious Muslims had killed Uth­man in an emotional out­burst.  The old gentleman, twice son‑in‑law of the Prophet (pbuh), an ardent supporter of Islam, and Khalifa for more than a decade, was at­tacked and killed by a crowd of outraged dissenters.

    Muslims everywhere were shocked with the insurrection.  Somber faced, and troubled a great deal with what happened, Muslims asked themselves how some dis­senters could have been so terrible, and how such a catastrophe could ever hap­pen.  A feeling of severe guilt seeped into the Mus­lims' hearts, and as the days passed, they felt worse.  No one ever thought that such a thing could ever happen.

    The clouds of division, however, had evolved over the past few years.  The ground work for such division was laid years before Uth­man's assas­sination, and they wor­sened with time because of the incompetent, often devious, management of Uthman's Gover­nors.  Mar­wan, a relative of Uthman, was at the root of the trouble, and he ensured that numerous mem­bers of his Umayya family members be given every power­ful position in the Islamic Ummah.  Slowly but surely the Is­lamic Nation developed into an Umayya enterprise, mis­managing the Um­mah in a horrible way. 

This added fuel to the fire and made the problem worse.  The Umayya Clan was filled with oppor­tunists, many of whom were in charge of various departments of the government.  When Khalifa Uthman was killed, the Umayya Clan did not grieve for him as much as they grieved for the expected loss of the seats of their power and authority.  They knew they would be dismissed, losing their privileges, power, and plush living.

    It was at this dark and highly worrisome period in Islamic history that Imam Ali was burdened with the responsibility of the Khilaafah.  No man would ever have taken such a challenge; that is except a person who was utterly and completely dedicated to the welfare of Islam; the person whose life line was Islam and whose constitution was none but Islam, and that person was Imam Ali.

WHAT WAS THE ATMOSPHERE?  

    The Muslim Ummah was gloomy and somber.  Those who attacked Uthman had fear in their hearts lest they be detected and tried.  Some of them, no doubt, had a tremendous feeling of guilt and could hardly sleep their nights; they must have felt ashamed of their ac­tions.

    The people of Medina suffered more, because of the horrible circumstances in which Uthman was slain.  Muslims of Medina felt a high dose of guilt since none could successfully defend Khalifa Uthman against the dissidents.

    Even after Uthman's death things continued to snowball from bad to worse.  The whole Ummah was grief stricken.

    The one who suffered most was Imam Ali, and the one who did the most, as the situation demanded, was also Imam Ali.  He was the only one who had such tremendous and unmatched personal strength as to be able to handle the situation.

WHAT DID IMAM ALI SEE?  

    Having reached the age of fifty-eight, and having had the richest and the most unique experience in Islamic affairs, Imam Ali had evaluated the situation.  He was brilliant, astute, and an extremely farsighted man; allowing him to anticipate future possibilities of the Ummah.

    Imam Ali's sharp thinking and analysis made him see:

1. an Islamic Ummah having prevailed over most of the civilized world of the time,

2. the Byzantine and the Persian Empires given up their attempts against Islam, thus a period of consolidation in the Islamic world was improving,

3. serious division among the Muslims with the masses falling into camps.  Ali noticed the Umayya Clan, like an octopus, had spread its tentacles over much of the Muslim Ummah.  The play of politics, deceit, and self‑interest were playing havoc with many souls, and lastly Ali saw that:

4. the public was distressed and worried; there had developed extreme riches of few and much poverty of most due to the policy of Uthman's administration.

    In brief, Imam Ali foresaw grave, if not momentous danger to Islam.  Ali thus reluctantly accepted the heavy responsibility and the impossible task of the distressed Khilaafah.  He took it despite the grave situation of the times.  His goal was to steer things to the original path of Islam, to rectify the wrongs and put things on the right path.

ALI'S TIMES WERE NOT OMAR'S TIMES:  

    There was a vast difference between the periods of Imam Ali and that of Omar.  When Omar became Khalifa, Muslims were on the move, filled with enthusiasm and anxious to face the Byzantines and the Persians.  No one questioned the decision of Khalifa Omar then, they all obeyed him.  There were numerous Sahaaba, and only two years had passed since Muhammad (pbuh) died; the Prophet's wonderful personality was very fresh in everyone's mind.

    A mere twenty years later, when Imam Ali became Khalifa, the scene had drastically changed.  There was no enthusiasm to expand into new territories, instead, there was dissention and great remorse over the assassination of Uthman.  There was an alarming division within the Ummah too.  Not only that, but many of the highly seasoned Sahaaba had already died and passed from the scene.

    You wonder if Omar had been in Ali's place, how he would have managed and vice versa!  And what a bleak inheritance Imam Ali was saddled with after Uthman was killed!

    No one ever likes to be saddled with such awesome burden, or be involved in such a bad situation.  Only a person who loves Allah and Islam above anything else could do it.  And that person was no other than the magnificent Ali.

BUT LOOKING BACK TO ALI'S EARLY YEARS  

    People knew Ali as a young boy, having been reared in the house of the Prophet (pbuh).  Years afterwards, and before being an adolescent, Ali unexpectedly saw the Prophet and Khadija performing Salat together.  It looked and sounded strange to him.  After the Salat the Prophet (pbuh) asked Ali to embrace Islam, even though Ali was 10 years old, Muhammad (pbuh) apprised Ali's abilities accurately and knew his potentials.

►  Ali was the first male to accept Islam.  (For more detail see Book 14 of the Series of Islamic Books for Beginners.)

►  Ali, the cousin of the Prophet, grew up in a house full of piety, good manners, and marvelous personal conduct; it was the house of the Prophet.

►  Ali supported the Prophet (pbuh), learned from him, saw him as the marvelous example, and defended him with all he got.

►  Ali also suffered at the hands of Quraish as did all the early Muslims.

►  Ali had the unique privilege to be chosen by the Prophet and trusted to be in his bed during the Hijrah.  Of course, this was a matter of risking his life, but Ali was eager to help the Prophet (pbuh).

►  It was also Ali whom the Prophet chose to be in the status of brotherhood when the Muslims settled in Medina.  (Al-Khawarizmi, Al-Manaaqib Page 7.  Ibn Asaakir, Taareekh Dimashq, Vol. 1, Page 107)

►  Ali's courage and fighting skills were unmatched; he was considered the unconquerable—as once Mu'awiya, his foe, acknowledged.  Ali participated in all the defensive military operations the Muslims were forced to face, and in each and everyone he did exceptionally well.  Be it the encounter at Badr, Ohod, the Ditch, or Khaybar, Ali implanted apprehension, awe, jealousy, admiration, and respect into the hearts of the enemy.  He was legendary.

►  At Ohod and Hunain, when the enemy was raging its attacks against the Muslims and having the upper hand, Ali stood firmly by the Prophet defending him.  At Khaybar, it was Ali who accomplished what seemed the impossible.  No wonder we see Ali nicknamed the Lion of Allah.

►  Ali had the privilege of marrying Fatima, the beloved daughter of the Prophet (pbuh), thus becoming even closer to the Prophet.

►  Ali had the honor of being the Prophet's deputy at Medina, when the Prophet went to Tabuk, and it was then when the Prophet said, "O' Ali, you are to me as is Haroon to Musa, but there will be no Prophet after me."  (Al-Bukhari Vol. 2, Page 305.  Sahih Muslim Vol. 2, Page 360.  Mustadrak Al-Haakim Vol. 3, Page 109)

►  It was also after the Farewell Pilgrimage when the Prophet (pbuh) declared in his speech at Ghadeer Khum.

(Sahih Muslim Vol. 2, Page 362.  Mustadrak Al-Haakim Vol. 3, Page 109. Musnad Ahmad Vol. 4, Page 281.)

THEN IF YOU REFLECT AGAIN

    Notwithstanding his accomplishments for quarter of a century, Imam Ali was pivotal in helping the administration of previous Khalifas in advising and suggesting.

    Ali's assistance to Omar was highly appreciated, to such an extent that Omar stated, "Were it not for Ali, Omar would have perished.”  (Al-Istee'aab Vol. 3, Page 39.  Al-Khawarizmi, Al-Manaaqib Page 48.  Al-Riyadh Al-Nadhirah Vol. 2, Page 194)

 It must have been Ali's suggestions to Omar, at the council or otherwise, religious or administrative, that Omar appreciated him so much.

    The genius of Imam Ali continued to work during Uthman's rule; during the first few years of Uthman's rule Ali's advice was taken well.  It was only the latter half of Uthman's reign that Uthman listened only to Marwan and the Umayya Clan and stopped to listen to Ali.

    By the time Ali became Khalifa, he had to combat and ward off numerous forces of destruction.  He had to face one adversity after another from the very first day he became Khalifa.  No one could have ever managed the Muslim Ummah better than Ali—given the grave conditions of that time.  The Islamic Ummah was ill at ease, had deteriorated administratively, and it needed a man like Ali, with valor, courage, and foresight, to stop the disintegration.

ALI'S ELECTION:  

    Three days passed since Uthman's assassination, and Medina was in the hands of the rioters.  Most of the Sahaaba had already left Medina to avoid the catastrophe.  The few who were left felt helpless, preferring to be indoors—none had the courage to voice objections or do anything.     Imam Ali was urged to accept the Khilaafah, but he refused.  He was urged by numerous people concerned and worried about the deterioration happening to the Muslim State.  Order was desperately needed and the riots, disorder, and looting in Medina needed to be stopped.  They kept urging Ali to accept the Khilaafah, and at one time they even threatened him with his life if he didn't consent.

   Ali knew of his right to become the Khalifa ever since Prophet Muhammad died  (Sunan Ibn Maajeh Vol. 1, Page 44.  Al-Tirmidhi Vol. 5, Page 300)

Ali had no question that Muhammad (pbuh) wished Ali to follow him—Ghadeer Khum was the witness. (Sahih Muslim Vol. 2, Page 362.   Mustadrak Al-Haakim Vol. 3, Page 109.  Mus'nad Ahmad Vol. 4, Page 281.  Also see Books 5 and 14 of the Series of Islamic Books for Beginners.)

 Now that he was urged to be the Khalifa, he was very reluctant to accept the responsibility, because of the deleterious conditions the Ummah was in.

    But seeing all the lawlessness in Medina, and the ominous danger to Islam, Ali consulted some of the Sahaaba who remained in Medina.  He was urged by them, too, to accept the Khilaafah, so he finally consented.

ALI'S FIRST ADDRESS:  

 Ali's first address was eloquent and forceful:

Ali urged the people to unite,  to hold to their faith,  to work for Islam,

 to shun division, hypocrisy, and ill feelings; he urged them to cooperate and to help each other.  Ali admonished people that Allah would judge them, and for them to remember Allah

in their dealings and throughout their everyday affairs.

The speech reflected Ali's immaculate upbringing and his personal purity in Faith.

Ali knew well the difficult task ahead, and he knew that he needed to work tirelessly, to have great patience, and much tact.  But above all, Ali needed the cooperation of the people, otherwise no matter how gifted a person is, he cannot successfully produce much without the cooperation of others.  Collective action was absolutely essential, although the people were dissenting.  However, the people this time were in the opposite mood, that of enmity and destruction, of undoing things, of trouble-making.  What a difference between now, the time of Ali, and only two decades before, the time of Omar, what a debilitating lasting effect the Umayya Clan had on the Muslim Nation!

AN IMMEDIATE DILEMMA  

    An immediate dilemma came to the forefront, some people started to demand that Ali punish Uthman's murderers immediately.  Ali's position had hardly solidified by then, and a hasty action would do nothing but add fuel to the chaos.  Wisdom and foresight demanded patience, investigation and trials need time, yet some people demanded immediate action despite the consequences.

►  Sensing this, the rioters began to play politics.  Such actions gave rise to suspicion, mistrust, and misunderstanding.

►  Because the root of much of the evil that befell the Islamic Ummah was the Umayya Governors, and since their actions had already led to disaster, Ali wanted them all from the office.  Ali's sense of justice and keen understanding of Islam prevented him from playing politics.  So he wouldn't wait, he wanted to get rid of the Umayya Governors and their administration immediately.

►  The people sensed that Ali's firm hand was going to be just like that of Omar.  They felt that the permissive times of Uthman would be lost, and in their place they expected firmness and Islamic discipline, a return to the times of Omar.  They resented that since many self‑interested persons thought this was to their disadvantage.  Therefore, a sense of resentment or rebellion developed fast and it quickly escalated.

THE NEW DESIGNATES  

    Imam Ali sent new Governors to the various provinces to replace the ones appointed by Uthman.  There was no compromise in this situation.  Previously, Ali had frequently complained to Uthman about the bad Governors and their unscrupulous ways.  Now that Ali had become Khalifa, he lost no time in assigning new Governors, despite suggestions by his advisers to the contrary.  Ali wouldn't play politics with Islam, never.

►  The Umayya Governor of Yemen, just dismissed by Ali, stole the public treasury, as if it belonged to him personally.  He escaped with it to Mecca and funded any rebellious people against Ali, to undermine the Khilaafah itself.

►  Worse yet, the Governor of Syria was subtle.  His name was Mu'awiya, who had enjoyed the privileges of authority, power, and prestige for 20 years as the Governor of Syria.  He not only disobeyed Ali's orders but gave the impression to the Governor designate that he intended war with Ali.  This meant shedding Muslims blood, something everyone abhorred, particularly Ali.

►  Members of the Umayya Clan, as numerous as they were, immediately sensed what was ahead.  They prepared to block the way in the face of Ali and to raise trouble.  Power meant everything to them, a reminder of Abu Sufyan, the father of Mu'awiya.

JAMAL CONFRONTATION

 EARLY GATHERING STORM  

    Because of a growing feeling of guilt, people kept demanding to avenge the murder of Uthman.  Even well‑known personalities were seriously taking the law in their hands, to revenge the blood of Uthman for themselves.  Some gathered in Mecca to make it a headquarter for a rebellion.  Many speeches, stirring and highly emotional, were repeatedly delivered, adding fuel to the already highly emotional atmosphere.

►  A'isha, the Prophet's widow, having performed Haj and on her way to Medina, heard of Uthman's demise.  So she became involved in the highly charged atmosphere and returned to Mecca instead.  She became highly vocal against Imam Ali and for revenging the blood of Uthman.  Mecca became highly charged too, rumors were everywhere, which fed on unfounded charges and accusations.  Mecca was so electrified that when Ali's appointee as its Governor arrived, the Meccans tore the order and rejected him—such were their emotions!!

►  Supported by money stolen from the treasury of Yemen by its dismissed Governor, 3,000 insurgents headed toward Basrah.  The insurgents were headed by prominent Sahaaba (Companions) such as Talha and Zubair, along with A'isha.

►  Basrah was chosen because it was the city of much real estate belonging to Zubair and Talha, with numerous employees, thus providing a good base for an uprising.  The claim was avenging the blood of Uthman, but with the aim of seizing the power.

BASRAH IN THE GRIP OF THE INSURGENTS  

    After several weeks of travel, the insurgents reached Basrah.  And after clashes with the local authorities, the insurgents occupied Basrah.  A reign of terror followed, witnessing a tense period of accusations, sham trials, and lawlessness.  Outstanding among them included:

1. 600 people killed,

2. the public treasury looted,

3. the Governor, an appointee by Imam Ali, was harassed and offended, and

4. schism in Basrah, people became divided into camps.

    This, of all things, was done by the insurgents with A'isha, in the name of Islam.  Supporters of A'isha's claim were not united, rather, they were hesitant, divided among themselves, unsure of their decisions and actions.  Vying for leadership was such that even the Salats were led alternately, every other day, by Talha and Zubair.

     It is worthy to note that before Uthman's assassination it was A'isha and Talha who urged some of the rioters against Uthman in Medina (Al-Tibari, Taareekh, Vol. 4, Page 407.  Ibn Atheer Vol. 3, Page 206.)

Now that Uthman was killed, the feeling of guilt led to bizarre actions as if they were undoing their past mistakes.  Their uprising instead, did nothing but irreparable damage to the Khilaafah, the Islamic Ummah, and the people involved.

ALI HAD TO DO SOMETHING  

    Still new as Khalifa, and beset by disruptive people, Imam Ali had to stop the menace.  This meant Muslim fighting Muslim, the idea of which was abhorred by everyone, particularly Ali.

    Imam Ali, who loved Islam dearly and defended it with all his energy, was having an extremely heavy burden.  His choices were either to let anarchy envelope the Islamic Ummah, or bring the rebels under control.  It was an extremely hard and unwelcome decision.  His choice, as agonizing as it was, was that the welfare of the Ummah had to take precedence, since Islam was at stake.  Islam had to be protected, and this decision was inevitable.

PREPARATIONS WERE ALREADY UNDERWAY  

    Before A'isha and her 3,000 supporters could reach Basrah, Ali prepared a force to stop Mu'awiya who had disobeyed him and challenged his orders.  Now, however, there is the trouble initiated by such notable people as A'isha, the Prophet's widow, and Talha and Zubair.  Ali hoped to overtake A'isha's force while on its way to Basrah and persuade them to change their mind, but that did not succeed.

    As Ali's force drew near Basrah, a new force was added to his from Kufa.  Still, Imam Ali had full intention to persuade the other side, to calm their nerves and prevent blood shed.  Ali had no idea that things would snowball into the events they did.

    Imam Ali's fighters were united, self-assured, with no divi­sion or hesitation.  It was quite different from A'isha's quarters.

    A convoy approached Imam Ali requesting a full investigation into Uthman's murder.  Since Ali had already planned for this, he agreed to it right away and without hesitation.  Ali thanked Allah (swt) for the ease in accomplishing this agreement.  However they soon learned that A'isha's side changed their minds!

ALI MEETS TALHA AND ZUBAIR  

    Face to face with Zubair, Ali said, "Didn't Allah's Messenger say one day that you were going to fight me and be with the transgressors?"  Suddenly Zubair remembered, and an expression of sorrow fell upon him.  Zubair also knew that the Prophet had said to Ammar ibn Yasir, "The wicked side will kill you," and he had seen Yasir on Ali's side.  With regrets in his heart, Zubair said, "By Allah, if I had remembered this, I would never have done what I did."

     Ali also said to Talha, "Why did you protect your wife and expose the very wife of Allah's Messenger to danger?  What kind of an act is this?"  You wonder what thoughts crossed Talha's mind upon hearing what Imam Ali said.  Talha left his wife secure in Medina while he accompanied the wife of the Prophet (pbuh) to stir trouble.  (Ibn Atheer, Al-Kaamil Vol. 2, Page 102.  Taareekh Al-Tibari, Page 3112)

SKIRMISHES AT FIRST  

    Zubair elected not to fight, even though many urged him to—he came to the correct decision.  Zubair was later assassinated by highway robbers, in the Valley of the Lions.

     With Imam Ali there were 12,000 fighters, with the other side many, many more.  Ammar, the notable Companion and numerous other Companions were on Ali's side.  Since the frequent negotiations failed, the most hateful form of fighting was imposed on Imam Ali.  No escape, and Imam Ali had to swallow the bitter pill.  Ali repeatedly remembered the Hadith of the Prophet (pbuh) to him, "O' Ali, you will be obliged to fight against the renouncers, the malicious offenders, and the deviants.  (Al-Haakim, Mustadrak, Vol. 3, Page 139)

    Now face to face Imam Ali (a.s.) sees the renouncers, those who had renounced their pledge of allegiance to him of not long ago!  They were his close friends who knew each other and respected each other.

    As to A'isha's side, some supporters continued harassing and wounding the participants in Ali's camp.  Imam Ali had strict orders not to start the fight.  But seeing his supporters wounded or falling without provocation, Ali gave the Holy Quran to a highly regarded Sahaabi (Companion) to take to the other side and request the Quran to be the judge.  Innocently but nervously the man took the Quran and marched to the rebels.  Suddenly he was showered with numerous arrows, there was no way to escape.  Some arrows pierced his heart and he sagged to the ground, dead, and the Quran fell beside him!  Soon another person was killed then another.

    Seeing that, Ali ordered his forces to attack.  The battle did not take long, A'isha's camp could not resist the fighting for long.  Talha was wounded by his own fighters—it is said that it was Marwan (Uthman's Secretary of State), who on purpose wounded Talha.  As the blood flowed from his body, Talha repeatedly pleaded, "O Allah, keep taking from me until Uthman is satisfied!"  Such was Talha's guilt for having urged people against Uthman a few months before.

BY NOON TIME  

    By noon time, the engagement of the two sides was almost over.  Both Talha and Zubair were gone, and the rebel fighters were in disorder, retreating.  But shortly after something new came to the scene.

    Just as the fighting quieted down, and as Imam Ali's forces had an easy victory, a great commotion was observed in A'isha's camp.  Ali said, "What is that?"  They soon discovered; A'isha was in a cubicle on top of a camel urging her insurgents to keep on fighting Ali.  Seeing the wife of the Prophet urging them to fight, her troops became blind with emotion.

    As a result, a ferocious battle erupted, instigated by A'isha's dramatic plea.  The rallying point was the cubicle on the camel with the Prophet's wife inside, incessantly urging to fight.  As a result thousands of people lost their lives.  A'isha's camel was surrounded by a thick wall of humanity, and Ali could hardly stand the sight of the bloodshed.

    "Disable the leg of the camel!" Ali shouted his order.  Upon doing this, the cubicle fell down along with the camel, and suddenly the battle ended.

    Imam Ali and Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr (who was A'isha's brother but supporting Ali), rushed to the cubicle.  Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr, was as anxious as Imam Ali to see that A'isha was not hurt.  They noticed that she was not injured or hurt.  Ali, upset and angry but well controlled, talked to A'isha saying, "May Allah forgive you."

    She answered, "And you too."

    Ali asked A'isha's brother (Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr) to take A'isha to Basrah for a few days, then for her to be escorted back to Medina with full honor and respect; this was a wonderful display of Ali's ability to forgive and respect the Prophet's widow despite the animosity displayed toward him.

A PERIOD OF DEEP SORROW  

    The aftermath was a period of deep sorrow and grief, felt by everyone particularly Imam Ali.  Thousands of Muslims, so many notable personalities whom Ali closely knew, lost their lives senselessly.  Imam Ali went through the battlefield and saw the killed, those on his side and those against him.  Feeling the pain in his heart, he read something sad to himself.  The killed were then buried, and Ali, along with others, performed a special Salat for their souls.

    Basrah, Kufa and the surrounding areas were devastated, there was hardly a house without someone mourning a relative—a father, brother, son, or husband.

AT BASRAH  

    Imam Ali stayed in Basrah for several weeks attending to administrative matters, the stolen treasury by A'isha's camp, and settling things down.  He compensated for the dead, be it in his camp or that of A'isha's, giving from the public treasury to their families.  The way he dealt with Basrah was just as unique as the way Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) dealt with Mecca upon conquering it:  Ali decided to forgive and absolve all who fought against him.

►  Ali did not hold any prisoners of war, nor did he ask for repatriation or compensation, nothing was levied at all.  This was extremely generous of Ali.  Imam Ali proclaimed a general mass amnesty, including the multitude of the Umayya Clan.

►  A'isha felt bad about the trouble she had caused, not realizing the awesome consequences.  The wound inflicted to the Muslim Ummah was deep, not only at this time but later on.  A'isha was sent home with full respect, and the sons of Ali, Al‑Hasan and Al‑Husain accompanied her caravan for a long distance in demonstration of respect before saying good‑bye.

►  All these troubles, as difficult as they were, occurred during the first six months of Ali's Khilaafah—how stressful and distressing it must have been for him.  How disturbing it was for Ali to see the widow of the Prophet (pbuh), his friends, and Sahaaba, participate in a confusion of demands, allegations, and turmoil of emotions that led to such unnecessary loss of life.

THE MOOD AFTER  

    Imam Ali had inherited extremely distasteful circumstances of the Islamic Ummah.  There was bitterness coupled with guilt, and Muslims were turning against themselves.  Their energies were wasted on politicking and accusations, rather than expanding the world of Islam.

►  Though the election of Ali was by Shoora, the allegiance of some was not firm.

►  Knowing this, Imam Ali couldn't avenge the blood of Uthman immediately.  Those who asked for the immediate action were asking the impossible, it was unrealistic.  To investigate the matter takes a long time, and the atmosphere should be conducive, not amid uprisings based on emotions.

►  Adding insult to injury, by taking the law in their hands, the insurgents complicated the matter.  They made it far more difficult for Ali or anyone else to manage the affairs of the State.

►  The battle with A'isha's forces, called the Jamal Battle, inflamed emotions even more, made the people more suspicious, some rebellious, and others extremely disturbed.

►  It was fortunate that Imam Ali was in charge, since no one else could have ever been as strong as Ali to withstand these forces and the enormous odds.  The Islamic Ummah was very fortunate to have Ali at the time, otherwise, chaos followed by complete disintegration would have taken place.

►  When things settled in Basrah, Ali left for Kufa since he took Kufa as the new capital for the Islamic Ummah.  Kufa was more central than Medina.

ALI IN KUFA  

    Ali was still left with Mu'awiya defiant, scheming to undermine Ali.  In spite of numerous contacts to negotiate, Mu'awiya never agreed to withdraw or give allegiance to Ali.  Mu'awiya was a clever, diplomatic, power-hungry man, he wanted to hold to the Governorship of Syria at any cost.  Mu'awiya did not comply with Ali's orders otherwise he would lose his job and become an ordinary citizen.  All of Benu Umayya who left Basrah after the Jamal battle had joined him.  Imam Ali set them free and refused to hold any accountable. 

SIFFIN CONFRONTATION

A TIME OF PREPARATION  

    Once returned to Kufa, Imam Ali immediately prepared for the anticipated clash with Mu'awiya, the only Umayya Governor who challenged him at the time, trying to drive him into a war.  Many envoys were sent to Mu'awiya and vice versa, but to no avail.

►  Ali was a man who believed in Islam from the very depth of his heart and understood the religion in its deepest sense.  Ali was straightforward and pure-hearted, hating hypocrisy.  Ali loved Islam dearly, and wanted its welfare and proper application with no modifications by all Muslims.  Therefore, Ali attracted the pious and devout Muslims.  The righteous supported Ali, proud of the honor of being on his side.  They were the cream of the crop, the highly religious, the Companions of the Prophet (pbuh), whose hearts were illuminated with Islam.

►  Mu'awiya was very smart; he was a clever politician too who, by nature, knew how to manipulate and play politics.  Mu'awiya lavishly gave money and favors to people who supported him; he knew well the power of money.  He bought the conscience and loyalties of people in very subtle ways.  Mu'awiya's cunning style helped him create a vast and well-paid secret service, with the entire Umayya as its base.

►  Mu'awiya did his utmost in a war of nerves; smearing and accusing the character of Imam Ali and capitalizing on Uthman's blood.  It is astounding to note the powers of evil at work with Mu'awiya daring to use them for the sole purpose of gaining and holding to power.  He executed this in a clever and systematic way, and without scruples.

     ▪    First, Mu'awiya started a psychological war in such a subtle way as to deceive even his own people about Uthman.  He used the Masjids to his own advantage, with his numerous secret agents persistently talking about the necessity to avenge Uthman's blood, as if it were an end in itself.  Mu'awiya overlooked the welfare of the Islamic Ummah, and his personal gain and love of power were all that counted in his eyes.

     ▪    For that end Mu'awiya and his collaborators used all means at hand:  deceit, espionage, and buying of people's loyalty, to fool the citizens and build a case against Ali, when really there was none.

BUT WHO WAS MU'AWIYA?  

    For the first 20 odd years of his life, Mu'awiya saw his father and mother scheme against Islam, trying to destroy it.  His father, Abu Sufyan, was the powerful leader of forces opposing Muhammad (pbuh) during the battle of Ohod, the Ditch Encounter, and many of the adverse dealings against Muhammad (pbuh).

►  During his adolescence, Mu'awiya learned much about how to plan, scheme, and execute strategies.  He became Muslim only when Muhammad (pbuh) triumphed over Mecca.  Those who became Muslims in this manner were called Al-Tulaqaa', which means (scornfully) given their freedom though they were the enemies.  Mu'awiya, his father, mother, and brother were Tulaqaa', and Mu'awiya remembered that for the rest of his life.

►  Mu'awiya's brother, Yazid, was appointed the Governor of Syria when the territory was lost by the Byzantines to the Muslims.  Yazid died of a disease a few years afterwards and Khalifa Omar appointed Mu'awiya as the Governor of Syria.  Mu'awiya was 35 years old when he was so appointed.

►  Mu'awiya was the brightest of the Umayya Dynasty—he used his shrewdness in a clever way.  He was a first rate opportunist.  He had consolidated his power over Syria for almost twenty years.  During this time he used the public treasury (like tax money nowadays) for personal aims though this was unlawful Islamicly.  He spent from the public treasury lavishly as he saw fit.  In this manner he gained the loyalty of the Syrians, who were used to similar practices of the previous Byzantine administration.  Mu'awiya, therefore, helped himself to the riches of Syria according to his whims and desires.

    When Ali became Khalifa, he wanted to dismiss Mu'awiya right away.  Imam Ali's goal was to restore the application of correct Islam and to have dynamic and pious Muslims as the Governors.  To Ali, Islam was absolutely first in priority, always first; everything else was a poor second.

►  Mu'awiya, on the other hand, wanted to cling to his power, with all its prestige, but he knew his limits.

►  To reach his goal, Mu'awiya exploited the blood of Uthman mainly among the Syrians.  Mu'awiya took advantage of Uthman, not only when Uthman was alive, but also after he was killed; he used Uthman for the gain of Mu'awiya and nothing else.  (Mu'awiya delayed sending his forces to save Uthman when Uthman so requested during his siege.)

►  The people of Syria believed the false picture Mu'awiya presented to them, which created a mood of revenge.  Obviously a confrontation was in the making.

SIFFIN  

    Ali's forces moved from Kufa, the Capital of the Islamic Nation, to Syria along the Euphrates River.  Mu'awiya's forces moved toward the Euphrates to a place called Siffin, and the two forces finally met at Siffin.

    Two large armies were facing each other—one stood for the noblest cause, Islamic integrity, while the other represented greed for power.  Having encamped at Siffin ahead of Imam Ali, Mu'awiya stationed some troops in such a way as to prevent Ali and his forces from reaching the water of the Euphrates.  This meant serious trouble.  Imam Ali, naturally, wanted access to the water, yet Mu'awiya refused.  So Ali sent a battalion, which engaged Mu'awiya's guards and easily eradicated them.  With Ali in control of the access to the water, he allowed it to be available for Mu'awiya's troops.  And here Ali's sense of fairness showed once again, his understan­ding of Islam was so high that he did not even take advantage of the foe.

    On the third day of his arrival, Imam Ali sent a peace mission to negotiate with Mu'awiya.  One of them said to Mu'awiya, "O Mu'awiya! This life is short.  You have to go before Allah and answer for your actions.  I implore you in Allah's name not to sow discord among Muslims.  Pray instead, and don't spill the blood of Muslims in a civil war."

    "Why didn't you give this sermon to your friend Ali?" retorted Mu'awiya.

    "Ali's case is different from yours.  He is a man of the highest Islamic learning.  He holds a lofty place in the Faith.  He is the very first male Muslim.  He's closely related to Allah's Prophet—and these things make him the fittest man for the Khilaafah.  Rather than oppose him, you ought to pledge loyalty to him, thus earn a good name in this world and the Hereafter."

    "But should I give up the demand to avenge Uthman's blood?  By Allah, I will never do it!" declared Mu'awiya again.

    The other members of the delegation, replied, "O Mu'awiya! We know well what you were after when you delayed help to Uthman as he needed it, and contributed to his murder.  Now you make his murder an excuse for claiming the Khilaafah.  Remember, this course of action will do you no good.  If you fail, then clearly your lot will be damnation.  But even if you succeed, you cannot escape Hell‑Fire."

    Mu'awiya, becoming self-conscious, angry, and red in the face, answered loudly, "O haughty rustic! Be off, the sword must decide."

SKIRMISHES  

    The area of Siffin witnessed several skirmishes for one month.  Imam Ali, the person who so much despised a war between Muslims, wanted to give ample time for Mu'awiya to reconsider.

    Several missions were sent for negotiation, but Mu'awiya was adamant.  Ali tried to convince Mu'awiya without bloodshed, but Mu'awiya loved power too much—this world and its glitter meant everything to him.  An envoy from Mu'awiya then approached Imam Ali.  Negotiations almost failed when one member of the mission asked Ali if he had anything else to say.  Ali replied,

"Allah, in His mercy, sent His Prophet to us, who showed us the Path of Truth.  After the Prophet came the Khalifa Abu Bakr, then Omar.  They ruled with justice.  I had a complaint against them.  Being a close relative of the Holy Prophet, I thought it was my right to be the Khalifa.  But both of these Khalifas were good men.  I forgave them.  Then came Uthman.  He did certain things that offended the people.  So they slew him. 

I had nothing to do with what the people did to Uthman.  The people though came to me.  They pressured me to accept the Khilaafah.  At first I refused.  But seeing that no other man would be acceptable to all, I agreed to shoulder the burden.  Talha and Zubair pledged loyalty to me and then [reversed themselves] and opposed me.  And now Mu'awiya is opposing me too.  

Mu'awiya is neither one of the first converts to Islam, nor has he done any sincere service to the Faith.  He, his father, and all of his family were opposed to Allah, His Prophet, and the Muslims.  They entered the fold of Islam when there was no other way open to them.  It is really strange that you side with him and oppose the relatives of the Holy Prophet.  I call you to Allah's Book and the Sunnah of His Prophet.  I call upon you to help the cause of truth and to fight untruth."

THE BATTLE OF SIFFIN  

    A large force without much to do can create a dangerous situation.  Imam Ali, however, took that chance in order to give ample time to prevent bloodshed of fellow Muslims.

    Ali's fighters were pious and highly religious men, fighting for the sake of Islam and the unity of the Muslim Ummah, and for the integrity of the Khilaafah.  They expected nothing in booties, material rewards, or social gain.

    Mu'awiya's soldiers, on the other hand, were fighting for material compensations, promises of high offices and promotions.  Their emotions were inflamed by a powerful propaganda, creating an atmosphere of hatred.

ALI ORDERS THE ATTACK  

            Orders from headquarters reached the front-lines and the attack was initiated.  Two large forces were locked in a clash, including the cavalry, foot soldiers, and archers; again it was Muslim fighting Muslim.  It was an ugly civil war, precipitated by Mu'awiya.  The fighting was severe and fierce.  The majority had become weary and tired with many fallen wounded or dead each day.  The fighting took several days and the casualties accumulated—too bad it was a Muslim against Muslim. (For more detail see Book 14 of the Series of Islamic Books for Beginners.)

AMMAR IBN YASIR  

       It is said that 45,000 men lost their lives in Mu'awiya's camp, and about 25,000 in Ali's camp.  Men of high caliber from both sides died.  One in particular was Ammar Ibn Yasir, an aged man almost 90 years old.  The Prophet had already informed him about 30 years earlier by saying, "Rejoice, O' Ammar, since it is the malicious offenders who will kill you, and that milk will be the last thing to enter your stomach."  (Abi Hadeed, Nahj Series 2, Vol. 3, Page 142)

    Ammar was with Ali, urging the people and pushing them to fight the enemy.  It so happened that he had a drink of milk just before being in the thickest of the battle.  He charged with several hundred fighters, calling, "To Heaven, to Heaven!"  When he was killed, a tremendous uproar took place in Mu'awiya's camp, since it became obvious that Mu'awiya's troops were the malicious offenders.  The people kept talking about this incident for a long time, many a man felt badly because he was on Mu'awiya's side.

A STIRRING SPEECH  

    Imam Ali delivered a stirring speech and then led an attack with his fighters penetrating deep into the body of Mu'awiya's troops.  The fighting was ferocious, the clang of the armor and swords were almost deafening.  Even the moaning of the wounded was drowned out by the noise of clashing arms.  Mu'awiya's troops began to flee, many in great disorder.

    Ali's daring fighters pushed on and on, they advanced close to the headquarters of Mu'awiya, and victory appeared very near.

    Mu'awiya was extremely tense and frightened, preparing to run for life.  The Umayya Clan were surrounding him to defend him from the powerful attacks of Ali's troops.  A sinking feeling of defeat was getting the best of them.  From not too far they could even hear the excited shouts of Ali's fighters, the trotting of the approaching horses, and the noise and confusion of Mu'awiya's fleeing men.

    At that time Mu'awiya was of the opinion to either surrender and ask Ibn Abbas to take him under his custody so that Ali does not kill him, or escape to the Byzantines.

A CUNNING TRICK THAT CHANGED HISTORY  

  At that moment Mu'awiya heard Amr Ibnil Aas suggesting to him to carry the Holy Qurans on the tips of the spears and ask for it to be the judge.  Mu'awiya seized on the idea immediately, since he knew how religious Ali's fighters were, and the hope to shock them thus avert his defeat.

    The idea was extremely clever, but deceitful.  Knowing how deeply religious Imam Ali and his fighters were, Mu'awiya thought it would be to his benefit to take advantage of this fact.  He thought that if they, the almost defeated soldiers of Mu'awiya, lifted Holy Qurans on the tips of their spears, it may jolt Ali's side and distract them, thus breaking the momentum.  This would avert Mu'awiya's defeat and may save the day.

    In other words, Mu'awiya now wanted to exploit the Holy Quran and use it as a tool to his advantage, as he had exploited Uthman, be it Uthman alive or dead.  The trick was clever, and it worked remarkably well.

THE QURAN BEING EXPLOITED  

    As Mu'awiya's forces were in disorder and near collapse, and about to surrender, Mu'awiya gave the orders to lift the Qurans at the tips of the spears.

    Like magic, the Qurans were raised into the air, and there was an immediate feeling of awe.  The troops of Imam Ali were stunned with the surprise.  That was an awesome thing to see and  utterly unexpected.  Who would dare fight someone who was carrying the Quran aloft?  This showed how extremely high the Quran was held in the hearts of Ali's supporters, and how much reverence they held for it.

    Seeing 500 Qurans on the tips of spears, and taken by the scene, Ali's fighters stopped the battle altogether, and they began to argue among themselves as to whether or not continue fighting.  Their drive to near victory was shattered by this time, not by the sword but by a deceptive trick, Mu'awiya successfully exploited Allah's Book, the Quran.

    The ones who lifted the Qurans were shouting loudly, "We want to have the Quran as a judge between us.  We want to negotiate now, we want peace!"  When Ali wanted to negotiate, Mu'awiya refused, even though Ali tried for over a month!  Now that Mu'awiya and his forces were almost defeated, they asked to negotiate.  The offer, naturally, had a tremendous impact on Ali's Generals and fighters—the Quran is paramount, even though it was used in such a manner by Mu'awiya.

 ALI WAS QUICK TO RECOGNIZE THE TRICK  

    Imam Ali knew well how conniving and deceitful Mu'awiya was.  He knew that Mu'awiya had literally lost the Battle of Siffin and that the lifting of the Qurans at the tip of spears was a deception to save Mu'awiya's neck.  Why did they want to negotiate at such a critical moment when Ali had already given them a full month to consider peaceful means?  Ali, therefore, urged his Generals to resume the battle, to continue fighting, that Mu'awiya was manipulating the Holy Quran to his advantage.

BUT ALAS  

    At that moment, Ali's Generals and fighters were in a psychological shock, the sight of the Holy Quran was too much.  They were not willing to complete the fight; and a paralyzing hesitation went through them.  Instead, they wanted to accept Mu'awiya's offer and halt the fight.  They willfully disobeyed Imam Ali, the Commander-in-Chief; this termination of the battle and its consequences proved to be a disaster of the greatest extent afterwards.

    In the heat of the arguments as to whether or not to resume the battle some leaders even threatened Imam Ali—they threatened him with his life—so emotional was the issue!  They told him that if he didn't stop urging them to fight, his end would not be different than Uthman's.

    Mu'awiya's trick was like a poison, it paralyzed the minds of Ali's fighters by simply taking advantage of their piety.  Mu'awiya used his genius for evil.

THE OPPOSING FORCES GO HOME  

    Half-hearted, Ali was forced to arbitration and negotiations in the future.  That was forced on Ali, although he knew it was not in the best interest of Muslim unity.

    Thousands upon thousands of people had lost their lives during the Siffin Battle.  Numerous families and tribes lamented the loss of a husband, father, or brother.  The scene was dismal and no firm or clear settlement was at hand—you can't call it victory or anything, can you?  There were no positive results and disappointment was felt among the people—all because they did not obey Ali, nay, they forced him instead to agree to their dictates.

    As usual, Ali