THE KHARIJITES' SEDITION
It is ironic that the very individuals who forced the Imam (a) to respond to Mu'awiyah's trick of the Qur'an's arbitration mutinied against him climing that he should not have responded to that trick. They formed a political movement, which was called 'Khawarij (plural of Kharijite; dissidents).' They were extremists; they killed numerous innocent people, such as 'Abdullah ibn Khabbab, the decent companion of the Prophet(s), and camped in al-Nahrawan.
The Imam (a) intended to direct towards Syria for fighting the mutinous Mu'awiya, but his companion consulted him to fight, first, against the Kharijites whose danger on the Islamic ummah had been more serious than Nahrawan, fought against the Kharijites, and could kill them all except nine individuals only.1
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1- That conflict was called 'Battle of al-Nahrawan.'
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Then, the Imam's soldiers wearied of wars; therefore, they did not respond to him when he intended to fight against the disobedient Mu'awiyah despite urgings.
DECLINE OF THE HONEST GOVERNMENT
If truth be told, the Orient has never known the like of Imam 'Ali's government in honesty, justice, and impartiality. Unfortunately, the evil and opportunist powers of his time spared no efforts for stopping against his political and social plans of reformation. They forced him to enter wars that exhausted his military forces and occupied him from doing the reformative schemes of the state.
By the slowdown of the Imam's soldiers, it was the best opportunity for Mu'awiyah to strengthen and arm his forces. Moreover, he began to wage campaigns aganist the Islamic provinces that were under Imam 'Ali's ruling so as to make the public believe that the Imam (a) lost the ability to protect his people. Meanwhile, all the Imam's attempts to arouse his soldiers' determination failed. He therefore supplicated to Almighty Allah to save him from such a frozen society whose individuals could not recognize his principles and policies of spreading justice and equality.
THE ASSASSINATION OF IMAM 'ALI
Groups of the Kharijites held a secret meeting in Mecca and discussed the current issues of the Islamic ummah. They agreed that Imam 'Ali (a), Mu'awiyah ibn Abu Sufyan, and 'Amr ibn al-As stood beyond the catastrophes of the ummah. They therefore decide to assassinate the three. 'Abd-al-Rahman ibn Muljim, the cursed, took upon himself the assassination of the Imam(a), while two others took among themselves the assassination of the others. They specified a definite hour at which they would implement their plans. It was after the Fajr -dawn Prayer on the nineteenth of Ramadan. Hence, 'Abd-al-Rahman ibn Muljim, the cursed, returned to Kufa, which was the capital of the islamic state, to do his mission. There, he met a Khafijite lady whose father and brother were killed during
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the Battle of al-Nahrawan. As he asked for her hand, she specified as dowry three-thousand dirhams, a slave, a bondmaid, and the killing of Imam 'Ali (a). The cursed 'Abd-al-Rahman agreed and promised her of arranging for all these things.1
On the night of the eighteenth of Ramadan, Imam 'Ali(a) had strange feelings. He anticipated the imminent occurrence of a horrifying matter. It was Friday, and the Imam, that night did not sleep. He spent it with recitation of the Holy Qur'an and offering prayers. When dawn was about to fall, he intended to leave for the Masjid, but some swans cried in his face. This happening gave a signal to the Imam (a) who said, "All power and might belong only to Allah. These cries will be followed by wailings."2
He then came towards the door, but could difficulty open it. That was another sign he alone could understand. When he reached in the mosque, he, as usual, awoke people for offering the prayer. He then began his prayer. When he sat after the first Sajdah,3the cursed ibn Muljim stroke him with the sword so heavily that the Imam's forehead was cleft and the sword reched his brain. As soon as the Imam felt the stroke, he raised his voice with the statement:
فزت و رب الكعبة.
"By the Lord of the Kaabah, I have won."
People hurried from every side and began to mourn the Imam (a) with melted hearts. They then carried him to his house and arrested the murderer. He however asked his son, Imam al-Hasan (a), to treat the murderer kindly. When the son wondered, the Imam (a) answered, "O son, we are the household of mercy and forgiveness. Feed him (i.e. your prisoner) from the food you eat and water him from the drink you take. If I will die, you may then retaliate upon him (according to Allah's law of retaliation) by killing him.
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1- See al-Hakim's al-Mustadrak; 3:143.
2- See al-Mas'udi's Muruj al-Dhahab; 3:291.
3- Sajdah is the obligatory prostration of the ritual prayers.
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But, never do anything to his dead body. for I heard your grandfather the Messenger of Allah (s) say: "Never do anything to the dead bodey of even biting dogs." If I will survive, I know what I will do with him. It is however better for me to pardon him, for it is my ethics to forgive. We, the Ahl al-Bayt, return on those who do wrong against us in forgiveness and generosity".
LADY ZAYNAB WITH HER FATHER
Lady Zaynab hurried to her injured father with rearful eyes and broken heart. She asked him whether the Prophet's report, related by the righteous lady Ummu-Ayman, regarding the adversities and misfortunes that the Ahl al-Bayt would have to encounter in the futuer was true or not.
The Imam (a) said:
الحديث كما حدثتك أم أيمن. و كأني بك و بنساء أهلك سبايا بهذا البلد, اذلاء خاشعين تخافون أن يتخطبكم الناس. فصبرا صبرا, فوالذي فلق الحبة وبرأ النسمة ما لله علي ظهر الأرض يومئذ ولي غيركم و غير محبيكم و شيعتكم. و لقد قال لنا رسول الله, صلي الله عليه و آله , حين أخبرنا بهذا الخبر: إن إبليس لعنه الله في ذلك اليوم -أي يوم قتل الحسين- يطير فرحا فيجول الأرض كلها بشياطينه و عفاريته, فيقول : يا معاشر الشياطين, قد أدركنا من ذرية آدم الطلبة و بلغنا في هلاكهم الغاية و أورثناهم النار. ألا من اعتصم بهذه العاصبة فاجعلوا شغلكم بتشكيك الناس فيهم و حملهم علي عداوتهم وإغرائهم بهم و أوليائهم حتي تستحكم ضلالة الخلق و كفرهم و لا ينجو منهم ناج.
ولقد صدق عليهم إبليس و هو كذوب , أنه لا ينفع مع عداوتكم عمل صالح و لا يضر مع محبتكم و موالاتكم ذنب غير الكبائر.
Ummu-Ayman has told the truth. I see coming that you. as well as your prople's harem, will be captives in this country. You will be submissive and terrified, fearing lest people might carry you off by force. At
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that time, be patient and adhere to patience , for, on that day, there will be no disciple (of Allah) on the earth except you, your followers, and your partisans. I swear this by Him Who split the grains and created the souls.
When he foretold us of these news, the Messenger of Allah (a) added: "On the same day as al-Husayn will be slain, Eblis1 the cursed will be overjoyed and will wander about the earth with his devils and afreets2 to declare: O devils, only today have we revenged ourselves on the descendants of Adam, attained our objective of wiping them out, and led them to the fire of Hell. Now, you must turn all your efforts towards filling people's minds with doubt towards al-Husayn and his companions, inciting them to bear hostility against them, and provoking them against anybody who shows loyalty to them (i.e. al-Husayn and his companions) in order that people's straying and atheism would be so guaranteed that none of them would be saved (on the Day of Resurrection)"
Even though he is the biggest liar, Eblis said the truth in that question. It is quiet true that the good deeds of anyone who bears hostility against the Ahl al-Bayt are of no avail (no matter how great they are), and the sins, not the grand ones, of any one who loves them and is loyal to them are of no harm.3
THE IMAM'S FINAL ADVICES
In his final hours, Imam 'Ali (a) advised his sons and daughters to cling to the high moral standards an abstinence from the transitory pleasures of this world.
To his two sons, Imam al-Hasan and Imam al-Husayn (a), he said:
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1- Eblis is the name of the Devil.
2- Afreet is a powerfull, evil jinnee. (See The Oxford Talking Dictionary; item: afreet.)
3- See Kamil al-Ziayarat; 266.
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I advise you (both) to fear Allah and that you should not hanker after the (pleasures of this) world even though it may run after you. Do not be sorry for anything of this world that you have been denied. Speak the truth and act (in expectation) for reward. Be an enemy of the oppressor and helter of the oppressed.
I advise you (both) and all my children and members of my family and everyone whom my writing reaches, to fear Allah, to keep your affairs in order, and to maintain good relation among yourselves for I have heard your grandfather (the Holy Prophet) saying, "improvement of mutual differences is better than general prayers and fastings."
Fear Allah and keep Him in view in the matter of orphans. So, do not allow them to strave and they should not be ruined in your presence.
Fear Allah and keep Him in view in the matter of your neighbors, because they were the subject of the Prophet's advice. He went on advising in their favor until we thought he would allow them a share in inheritance.
Fear Allah and keep Him in view in the matter of the Qur'an. No one should excel you in acting upon it.
Fear Allah and keep Him in view in the matter of prayer, because it is the pillar of your religion.
Fear Allah and keep Him in view in the matter of your Lord's House (the Kaabah). Do not forsake it so long as you live, because if it is abandonded you will not be spared (or you will be deprived of your Lord's grace). Fear Allah and keep Him in view in the matter of jihad with the help of your property, lives, and tongues in the way of Allah.
You should keep to a respect for kinship and spending for others. Avoid turning away from one another and severing mutual relations. Do not give up bidding for good and forbidding from evil lest the mischieveous
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gain positions over you, and then if you will pray, the prayers will not be granted.
Then the Imam (a) said:
O sons of 'Abd-al-Muttalib, certainly I do not wish to see you plunging harshly into the blood of Muslims shouting that Amir al-Mu'minin has been killed. Beware; do not kill on account of me except my killer.1
Wait until I die by his ('Abd-al-Rahman ibn Muljim) existing stroke. Then strike him one stroke for his stroke. But never do anything to his dead body, for I heard your the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him and his family, say: Never do anything to the dead body of even biting dogs.2
The final will of Imam 'Ali (a), however, was narrated by Lady Zaynab.
Afterwards, the Imam (a) began to recite Verse of the Holy Qur'an and suffer death agonies, Then, his pure soul elevated to the Supreme Comrade and joined the endless joy with the prophets, saints, and righteous people. Excellent is the companionship of such ones.
Imam al-Hasan (a), accompanied by his brothers, assumed responsibity for his father's funeral ceremonies, and at the last part of night, they carried Imam 'Ali's pure body to the fianl resting-place in al-Najaf. Lady zaynab,3 while she was shedding tears heavily, participated in that funeral ceremony.
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1- This is an indication to the seditions that 'A'ishah and Mu'awiyah aroused because of 'Uthman's assassination.
2- See Nahj al-Balaghah; 3:85.
3- See Zaynab al-Kubra; 60.
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IMAM AL-HASAN'S REIGN
On the second day, Imam al-Hasan, surrounded by his brothers and the Hashemites youths, directed towards Kufa Masjid and delivered a funeral orations in which he used words as glorious as his father. He showed that his father had been such a unique personality that none from the past and coming generations can be his like.
In the field of justice, Imam al-Hasan (a) declared the following fact about his father:
"He (i.e. Imam 'Ali) has not left behind him a single yellow (golden) nor white (silver) piece except seven hundred dirhams with which he had intended to have bondmaid for his family. yet, he ordered me to return them to the public treasury."
As Imam al-Hasan (a) finished his speech, the publics hurried to swear allegiance to him, even though the majority of them were not honest.
At any rate, Mu'awiyah realized the reality of Imam al-Hasan's army whose individuals were controlled by weakness, looseness, and determination of rebel; he therefore challenged him to fight. Moreover, he led his army whose individuals, quite the opposite, were completely obedient and submissive to camp in al-Mada'in. Once they heard of this news, the hearts of Imam al-Hasan'a soldiers were filled up with horror and panic. Thus, they refused the Imam's call to fight against Mu'awiyah. The Imam (a) still did not stop; he exerted all efforts for urging people to fight. Finally, a farrago of people of different tendencies and thoughts responded to him and camped in al-Mada'in.
The commander in chief of the Imam's army, namely 'Ubaydullah ibn 'Abbas, joined Mu'awiyah's camp after he had received a seductive bribe and, as a consequence, disorder and sedition dominated the Imam's army and many celebrated individuals, as well as eight thousand soldiers
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and the tribes of Rabi'ah, insinuated themselves into Mu'awiyah's camp.1
The matter reached its climax when a gang headed for robbing Imam al-Hasan's baggage, the bribees attempted to assassinate him more than once, and, finally, a party in his army, most likely the Kharijites, accused him of atheism.
In view of this situation, Imam al-Hasan (a) had to make peace with Mu'awiyah, though unwilllingly, so as to save his party from distinction.2
After the truce, Imam al-Hasan (a) had to leave Kufa, the city whose people disappointed his father and him, for Medina whose people his father and him, for Medina whose people received him so delightedly because he was the branch of that pure origin, the Holy Prophet (s).
By the fading of the rightful governmet and the coming of the wrongful one, the life of Lady Zaynab entered a new stage that would carry new, yet more grievous, adversities.
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1- See Ansab al-Ashraf; 1:223 (part I)
2- See Shaykh Murtezha Al-Yasin's Sulh al-Hasan and Baqir Sharif al-Qarashi's Hayat al-Imam al-Hasan.
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MU'AWIYAH'S REIGN
By Mu'awiyah's coming to power, the pre-Islamic idol ruling replaced the democratic ruling of Islam. vice, in decency, and violation of god manners found themselves expansive places under the consent of the Umayyaad individulas.1
From his father who was the bitterst enemy of Islam, and from his mother who, out of her malice against the Holy Prophet (s). Furthermore, the son exceeded his parents; he could not hide his real feelings as the name of the Holy Prophet (a), during the five-time per day declaration of prayer, was annoying him.2
In sequence, he hated the Prophet's Household land offsprings as extremely as possible. He therefore issued the most malicious decision of condealing their virtues and merits,
Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shafi'i; the founder of the Shafiite Islamic school of law, answered those who asked him to say his opinion about Imam 'Ali Amir al-Mu'minin:
"What can we say about a person whose partisans have had to hide his merits because of fear, snd enemies have hidden his merits out of envy? But between these two, his merit that have become widely known are too numerous to be counted."
During the reign of Mu'awiyah, the partisans of Imam 'Ali and the Ahl al-Bayt had to suffer various sorts of persecution. For instance, the criminal Bisr ibn Arta'ah killed and burnt more than thirty thousand individuals, Samrah ibn Jundab killed eight thousand individuals from
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1- See Sayyid Amir 'Ali's Ruh al-Islam; 296.
2- See Ibn Abi'l-Hadid's Sharh(u) Nahj al-Blaghah; 2:297, and 10:101.
3- See al-Muhaddith al-Qummi's al-Anwar al-Bahiyyah.
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Basra, an Ziyad ibn Abih, who exceeded everyone else in criminality, cut the limbs of the Imam's partisans, Evne the women who showed loyalty to Imam 'Ali (a) and the Ahl al-Bayt were not saved from the inhuman procedures of Mu'awiyah's criminal authorities. Furtheromore, Mu'awiyah gave the order of destroying the house of the Imam's partisans and leaving them homeless. He also deprived them of their shares from the public trasure1 and refusing their testimonies in the official courts. Eventually, Mu'awiyah exiled more than fifty thousand of them to Khurasan, northeast Persia.
By the way, those exiles propagandized Shiism in that provnice whose people, later on, changed into a strong front of oposition against the Umayyad rulign until they, under the leadership of Abu Muslim al-Khurasani, could overthrow their oppressive state.
ASSASSINATION OF IMAM AL-HASAN
Anyhow, the gravest crime of Mu'awiyah was assassinating Imam al-Hasan (a) after he had pledged, through a famous truce with the Imam, to hold the position of leadership to the Imam. Thus, he could establish an Umayyad royal state.
As he looked in the long list of the criminals whom may do this mission so completely, he could not find anyone more qualified than Ja'dah daughter of al-Ash'ath, even though she was the Imam's wife. This lady was brought up on betrayal and perfidy.
Mu'awiyah sent a lethal poison to Marwan ibn al-Hakam and asked him to seduce Ja'dah to poison her husband under promis of marriage to Yazid, Mu'awiyah's son.
Due to her nature, Ja'dah did not hesitate; she poisoned the Imam's food.
The Imam (a) began to suffer the pains of poison and vomit piece of blood in a bahtub. When Lady Zaynab
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1- See Ibn Abi's-Hadid's Sharh(u) Nahjal-Balaghah; 11:44.
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visited him, he ordered to take away that washtub so that she would not see that hurting view. yet, she became very sad as she realized that her brother would depart her forever very soon.
The Imam (a) then advised his brothers and companions to adhere to the nobilities of character, good deeds, and fear of Allah. While he was reciting Verse of the Holy Qu'an, his soul exalted to the Heavens to join the endless world there.
Imam al-Husayn (a) undertook his brother's funeral ceremonies and intended to bury him next to his granfather, Prophet Muhammad (s). But 'A'ishah, owing to incitement of the Umayyads, rode a mule, shouted, "Do not take to my house those whom I do not like," and created a big seditious matter due to which the blood of huge numbers of Muslims was about to be shed. Evading such a matter, Imam al-Husayn (a) had to change his mind and bury his brother in another place.
ASSIGNING YAZID AS THE COMING CALIPH
Mu'awiyah sealed his criminal reign with imposing his son, Yazid, as his successor. Like his father and grandfather, Yazid was known of his hypocrisy, treachery, and enmity against Islam. He, publicly, slighted all human values and principles, He used to drink wine in every moment of his life that some historians have specified dipsomania as his death cause. He was also fond of breeding animals, especially monkeys.
In abstract, Yazid represented all vice and offenses and had nothing to do with Islam of leadership of the Islamic ummah.