[^2] Shahi is a place near al-Qadisiya.

[^2] Shahi is a place near al-Qadisiya. there. He was face to face with the enemy. As for Mu’awiya, he practiced destruction and spoiling. He used all the means to put an end to the originality of the vanguard, to divide its unity, and to deaden its military activities. He spread among its members fear, rumors, rebellion, and mutiny.

We will deal with some of them as follows: Sending Spies The beginning of the dangerous plots Mu’awiya had made to spoil the vanguard was that he sent spies, that they might spread fear and terror and discourage the Army. One of the rumors was: “Most surely al-Hasan is corresponding with Mu’awiya for making peace, so why are you killing yourselves?”[^1] This wave of rumors left in the souls horrible disorders and strong fear and brought about a general mutiny among all the (military) units.

Bribing the prominent Personalities Mu’awiya not only used such acts of destruction but also he used something most dangerous. That was when he bought the cheap consciences of the commanders of the Army residing at Maskan. He gave them a lot of money and made them desire for jobs and offices. As a result they responded to him, slipped away in the night and in broad daylight to join his camp.

Ubaydillah wrote al-Hasan (a.s) their stories in detail.[^2] Seducing Ubaydillah Mu’awiya came to know that he was very successful in bribing (the prominent persons), so he actively acted to seduce those with upset consciences and sick souls. He extended the wires of his cunning to Ubaydillah bin al-Abbas. He attracted him towards him, and he became a puppet in his hand. Through that Ubaydillah betrayed the Prophet’s Household.

He left the camp of the truth and guidance and joined the camp of the treason and tyranny. As for the letter through which Mu’awiya deceived him, it reads: “Most surely al-Hasan is corresponding with me about making peace. He is going to hand the authority over to me. If you entered the obedience to me now, you would be followed; otherwise, you shall enter (into it) while you are a follower.

If you responded to me now, you shall have a million dirhams, half of which you shall have immediately, and the other half on my entry into Kufa.”[^3] [^1] Ibn Abi al-Hadeed, Sharh Nahj al-Balagha, vol. 4, p. 15. [^2] Ibn Abi al-Hadeed, Sharh Nahj al-Balagha, vol. 4, p. 28. [^3] Ibid.