The corrupt among them would not reform – they had no...

The corrupt among them would not reform – they had no loyalty or responsibility in words or actions… They say that their hearts are with us, but, indeed, their swords are turned against us!”(7) Some key terms of the treaty were as follows: Mu’awiyah would hold political authority, on the condition that he acts in accordance with the Book of God and the Prophetic Tradition. Imam Hassan would resume political authority after Mu’awiyah.

If anything happened to Imam Hassan, Imam Hussain would assume political authority, and Mu’awiyah had no right to appoint anyone. Cursing Imam ‘Ali and supplication against him in prayers would have to stop. Only good would be mentioned regarding Imam ‘Ali. Money in the treasury would be distributed among the children of those men who were martyred while fighting alongside Imam ‘Ali in different battles against Mu’awiyah and other enemies.

People were to be safe, no matter where they were in Syria, Iraq, Hejaz, or Yemen. Mu’awiyah would not persecute others – including the followers of Imam ‘Ali – based on past conflicts. Mu’awiyah wrote down these terms himself and sealed the document. He swore to abide by it in front of all the chiefs in his region. But he did not abide by it.

Mu’awiyah said in front of a crowd in Kufah: “Indeed, every condition and thing that I yielded to Hasan, the son of ‘Ali, is beneath these two feet of mine!”(8) The groundwork for a Revival Mu’awiyah proceeded with a policy of terrorism and persecution against anyone who outwardly affiliated with Imam ‘Ali’s family. Ironically, it was only after seeing the ugliness of Mu’awiyah’s rule that many citizens awakened to the righteous demands for justice which Imam Hassan had called for.

Imam Hassan’s wise decisions were giving way to a mass revival, which would culminate years later. (9) It was not long, however, before the worry over Imam Hassan became unbearable to Mu’awiyah. Mu’awiyah was able to bribe Imam Hassan’s wife to poison him. At the age of 48, the noble Imam Hassan was buried in the Baqi cemetery of Madinah. (10) As the second immaculate Imam, Imam Hassan’s character and decisions demand our deep contemplation.

Let us consider these thoughts in the spirit through which Imam Hassan encouraged reflection upon the Book of God: “…and be mindful of it, if you hear it – mindfulness of comprehension…and do not be mindful of it with the mindfulness of pure narration.