ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Events and Circumstances Surrounding the Martyrdom of Al-husain Bin Ali The Abdication of al-Hasan When in 40 A.H. 'Ali b. Abi Talib had been murdered in Kufa, his son, al-Hasan succeeded him to the caliphate. 'Ali had collected a force of 40,000 men to march on Syria in an attempt to put down Mu'awiya1 . The latter on the pretext of avenging the death of his uncle 'Uthman had been steadily increasing his power and authority at 'Ali's expense.

When 'Ali was killed, confusion rapidly developed among the forces which he had assembled. It soon became apparent to al-Hasan that the situation had reached the point where any continuation of hostilities against Mu'awiya would result in catastrophic defeat. In order to avoid this and the useless bloodshed that such a defeat would involve, al-Hasan came to terms with Mu'awiya. A version of the settlement made between al-Hasan and Mu'awiya has been preserved by Ibn A'tham2 .

These are (the terms) on which al-Hasan b.'Ali b. Abi Talib settled with Mu'awiya b. Abi Sufyan. The latter would make peace with the former provided that he handed over to him authority for ruling the believers on condition that: He (Mu'awiya) governed them according to the Book of God and the sunna of His Prophet, Muhammad, and the practice established by the righteous Caliphs (sirat al-khulafa 'al-salihin)3 ; Mu'awiya was not to make a bequest (of the caliphate) to anyone after him.

Rather the matter should be (settled by) a shura (deliberative council) of the Muslims after him; The people (al-nas) would be guaranteed security wherever they were in the land of God, Syria, Iraq, Tihama or Hijaz; The followers of 'Ali and his shi’a were guaranteed security with regard to their persons, property, women and children; Accordingly Mu'awiya would take up the covenant and compact of God (ahd Allah wa-mithaquh); what God barred from any of His creatures would be compensated by what He gave of His own accord; He (Mu'awiya) would not oppress al-Hasan, nor his brother al-Husayn nor any of the family of the Prophet (ahl bait al-nabi) with any evil (gha’ila) either secret or public, nor cause any of them to be afraid anywhere.

Then follow the names of witnesses to the document. The document, if genuine presents several points of interest. It demonstrates that succession to political authority was to be decided by the Muslims and was not to lie in the hands of Mu'awiya.