Rather...

Rather, I want to deal with one of the sides of his life, one of the signs of his miracles and the miracles of his signs. It is the side of his making peace with Mu‘awiya, the tyrant, son of the misguided father and mother. That is because this side has been complicated and worn the thickest gown of vagueness.

Doubts have guided it badly, all assumptions have failed, doubt has come into force, the pillars of faith have declined even those of his sincerest companions, those of his father’s, those of the most loyal of his followers and clients. This was when rage and anger moved that high mountain (a great figure) to misbehave. He had to say assalamu ‘alayka, O one who has made the believers mighty; however, he said something opposite.

Vagueness and confusion have covered this matter with the worst garment even to those who believe in his Imamate and infallibility. However, the sentiment and the shock of the misfortune have overcome prudence and reflection. If they carefully consider the matter and give place to reason, they will see it as clear as the sun. Surely the whole righteousness and the righteousness of all Muslims were accomplished through what he had done.

That is not because of worship, submission, and yielding to the accomplished fact good or evil. That is not because of the faith in infallibility and that the infallible Imam’s deed should agree with wisdom. No, if we carefully consider the event, its sides, conditions, circumstances, results, and its premises, we will definitely and certainly come to know that what he had done was the (religious) duty, and nothing other than it was right.

Yes, it was the determination itself and victory over his opponent. It was the attack itself against his enemy according to the military techniques and the timely policy. He performed the deed of someone worldly-wise, prudent, and experienced. That was when he warred against his enemy through peace and won a victory over him through making peace with him. He could put out his enemy’s fire, removed the curtain from him, and showed the people his defects and tricks.

It was right for him to war against him through making peace and not through weapon, to kill him through his deeds not through fighting against him and throwing arrows at him. This deed is the most perfect and definite of all proofs in putting an end to the excuses, and most decisive in repelling doubts and vague errors.