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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Life of Imam Al-hasan Al-mujtaba Chapter Xv : Declaration of War When Mu’awiya’s fallacies and political plans failed, he thought that the best means to overcome the events was that he had to hurry to declare war lest the attitude should be clear and the chance should escape him. Most likely he hurried to declare war for the following reasons: He firmly communicated with the Iraqi leaders, the military commanders, and the chiefs of the tribes.

He bought their cheap consciences for money and made them wish for offices, and they secretly responded to him to betray Imam al-Hasan and to carry out his objectives. The proof of that is the note he sent to his leaders and governors asking them to help and join him. In this note, he expressed his firm communication with the commanders of the Iraqi army and their response to him. He came to know that the Iraqi Army was divided, defeated, and did not obey Imam al-Hasan.

That resulted from the affairs we will mention in detail when we talk about the reasons for the peacemaking. He came to know the local danger with which Iraq was afflicted and from which Sham (Syria) was safe. That was the Kharijites’ thought whose principles spread among the Iraqi circles.

Among their principles was the declaration of mutiny and rebellion against the then government and the spread of chaos in the country, that they might overthrow the government and undertake the leadership over the community. The murder of Imam Ali, the Commander of the faithful (a.s) made the Iraqis lose a leader, guide, and orator who directed them to the truth. After missing him, the Iraqis walked in utter darkness and were at random. They lost the pioneer and guide.

As far as we know that these are the affairs that urged Mu’awiya to declare war (against Imam al-Hasan). If Iraq had not been afflicted with such disasters and troubles, Mu’awiya would not have found a way to declare war, would have spared no effort to delay war and to conclude a timely truce, just as he did with the Romans, that the affair might become clear to him. We cannot forget his words showing his fear of the Iraqis when they were one rank and were not afflicted with discord and weakness.