At the beginning of the caliphate of Imam Ali (a.

At the beginning of the caliphate of Imam Ali (a.s) also a sizable minority in disagreement refused to pay allegiance. Among the most persistent opponents were Sa’id ibn ‘Ass, Walid ibn ‘Uqbah, Marwan ibn Hakam, ‘Amr ibn ‘Ass, Busr ibn Artat, Samurah ibn Jundab, and Mughirah ibn Shu’bah. The study of the biography of these two groups, and meditation upon the acts they have performed and stories recounted of them in history books, reveal fully their religious personality and aim.

The first group were among the elite of the of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a) and among the ascetics, devout worshipers and selfless devotees of Islam who struggled on the path of Islamic freedom. They were especially loved by The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a). The Prophet (s.a.w.a) said, “God has informed me that He loves four men and that I should love them also.” They asked about their names. He mentioned Imam Ali (a.s) and then the names of Abu Dharr, Salman and Miqdad.

(1) ‘A’ishah has recounted that The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a) of God said, “If two alternatives are placed before Ammar, he will definitely choose that which is more true and right.” (2) The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a) said, “There is no one between heaven and earth more truthful than Abu Dharr.” (3) There is no record of a single forbidden act committed by these men during their lifetime.

They never spilt any blood unjustly, did not commit aggression against anyone, did not steal anyone’s property, and never sought to corrupt and misguide people. History is, however, full of accounts of unworthy acts committed by some of the second group. The various acts committed by some of these men in opposition to explicit Islamic teachings are beyond reckoning.

These acts cannot be excused in any manner except the way that is followed by certain groups among the Sunnis who say that God was satisfied with them and therefore they were free to perform whatever act they wished and that they would not be punished for violating the injunctions and regulations existing in the Holy Book and the Sunnah.

The first war in the Caliphate of Imam Ali (a.s), which is called the “Battle of the Camel,” was caused by the unfortunate class differences created during the period of rule of the second Caliph as a result of the new socioeconomic forces which caused an uneven distribution of the public treasury among members of the community.