By Allah...

By Allah, none took part in killing him at the beginning and end except Talha, al-Zubayr, and ‘A’isha, for it was they who bore witness against him and provoked the people against him.

Abdurrahman bin ‘Awf, Ibn Mas‘ud, ‘Ammar, and all the Ansar shared them in that.” Mu’awiya became frightened, so he criticized Muhammad for that, saying: “Did that happen?” “Yes, by Allah,” replied Muhammad, “surely I bear witness that you have only one manner since I have known you in the pre-Islamic period and Islam. Islam has increased you nothing. The sign of that in you is clear. It is that you blame me for the love for Ali.

All those who prayed and fasted, the Muhajireen, and the Ansar went out with (Imam) Ali (to fight against you). The children of the hypocrites, the released (prisoners of war), and the emancipated went out with you (to fight against them). You deceived them as to their religion, and they deceived you as to your present life. By Allah, O Mu’awiya, what you did is not hidden to you, and what they did is not hidden to them. They displeased Allah through obeying you.

By Allah, I still love Ali for Allah and His Apostle. I hate you for Allah and His Apostle forever, as long as I remain alive.” Mu’awiya became afraid, so he said: “I see that you are still in your (old) error. Send him back to prison!” The police sent Muhammad back to prison, and he remained there until he died.[^1] Muhammad died while he was terrified in the dark prisons, just because he did not accept Mu’awiya’s evil deeds.

Such was the fate of those free and noble who opposed Mu’awiya’s government. They met torture, exemplary punishments, and life imprisonment. 2. Abdullah Bin Hashim al-Mirqal Among the leaders of the Shia and their great figures whom Mu’awiya terrorized was the ideal leader Abdullah bin Hashim al-Mirqal.

Mu’awiya harbored malice against him because of his obedience and loyalty to Imam Ali (a.s) and because of his father’s attitude at the Battle of Siffin; that immortal attitude which feared and terrified Mu’awiya to the extent that he decided to escape. For this reason Mu’awiya wanted to quench his thirst for revenge on him. He wrote his governor Ziyad a letter in which he commanded him to arrest Abdullah and punish him severely.

This is the text of his letter: “Search for Abdullah bin Hashim bin ‘Uttba. Tie his hands to his neck, and then send him to me.” When Ziyad received Mu’awiya’s letter, he looked for Abdullah.