There is no doubt that Mu’awiya paid no attention to Uthman’s murder...

There is no doubt that Mu’awiya paid no attention to Uthman’s murder, because Uthman had sought his help when he was besieged, but he did not respond or help him with anything.

If he wanted to avenge Uthman, then his advisor, Amr bin al-Aas, would be the worthiest of being punished, for it was he who kindled the fire against Uthman, and he used to say: “By Allah, if I found a shepherd, I would provoke him against Uthman as well as the heads and the prominent people.”[^2] Therefore, his avenging Uthman was for nothing except that he used it as means for achieving his purpose and obtaining the power which he had dreamed of.

These are some of the reasons that moved Mu’awiya to fight against Imam Ali. [^1] Al-Mas‘udi ‘ala Hamish bin al-Athir, vol. 6, pp. 78-79. [^2] Sharh Nahj al-Balagha, vol. 1, p. 163. Delegation of Jareer When Mu’awiya declared his mutiny against Imam Ali’s government, the companions of the Imam asked him to lead…