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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Role of Aishah in the History of Islam (volume Three) Part Three : the Rule of Mu'awiyah and Allegiance For Yazid Cautious treatment of enemies Mu 'awiyah adopted the policy of compromise. Mu'awiyah managed by all possible means to assume the position of the ruler of the Islamic realm. With the martyrdom of Imam 'Ali, and the truce of Imam al-Hasan al-Mujtaba, all the major resistance against his influence and domination were removed.

But there existed another problem for him for the solution of which he felt it necessary to carry out a new plan.

The whole of the Islamic realm was shaken by the savage onslaughts and plunders of ash-Shami raiders who had been mobilized by his order, and people's hearts were palpitating with rancor and enmity since Mu'awiyah had killed thousands of Muslims in Siffin to be followed by other massacres in the name of avenging 'Uthman's blood, bereaving many families, mourning for their fathers, brothers and sons.

In these conditions Mu'awiyah adopted a new policy which could be summed up in a brief phrase, namely "lenient and cautious treatment even towards the enemies." For, this danger was always present that the extensive Muslim lands of Iraq and Hejaz might start a revolt and thus nullify all the constant efforts of Mu'awiyah and the Umayyad party which had been made for assuming the reign of affairs.

al-Ya'qubi, the great history writer, writes: In the year 41 of the Hijrah, Mu'awiyah returned to ash-Sham and there he heard an unpleasant news. A large unit of Roman army was proceeding towards the Islamic lands, and a great danger threatened the government of Damascus. What should he do in the face of this danger, in view of the difficulties with which he was involved and the dangers, which threatened him from within?

He chose the simplest way Out of this difficulty by sending an envoy as representative of the caliph of the Muslims to the emperor of Rome offering one hundred thousand dinars of gold as a tribute to persuade him to recall his army from the frontiers of Islamic lands.(196) What a shame and disgrace!