The clear lying and flagrant cunning appeared in his statement...

The clear lying and flagrant cunning appeared in his statement: “Most surely al-Hasan is corresponding with me about making peace.” When did the Imam correspond with him about making peace? Was that in his letters and notes containing his threatening him with declaring war if he did not obey him? Or Was that through his setting out to fight against him? Without doubt Ubaydillah firmly believed that this statement was false.

That is because if Imam al-Hasan had corresponded with Mu’awiya about making peace, then why had he (Mu’awiya) made Ubaydillah desire for this plentiful money, and what his value would have been if the Imam had responded to him? Perfidy and Treason Through his letter, Mu’awiya invaded the feelings of Ubaydillah, who thought for a long time of committing the crime and treason.

The seductive points Mu’awiya offered to him appeared before him, and are as follows: Al-Hasan corresponded with Mu’awiya according to the claimed statement. To join Mu’awiya’s camp while he was followed was better for him than to be a follower. Earning a million dirhams. He spent his night awake and thinking of the affair. He was fully perplexed.

The money for which Mu’awiya made him desire appeared before him, for he did not earn some of it during the Hashimite government, which established justice and equality. At last his sinful soul seduced him to desert (al-Hasan) and to break the pledge of allegiance. He responded to the world of Mu’awiya. He turned away from the truth and deviated from the right way. He betrayed Allah and His Apostle. He left the Prophet’s grandson and darling.

He joined the camp of oppression and tyranny and wore the garments of shame and disgrace. Ubaydillah slipped away in the night with eight thousand (fighters)[^1] from among the Army, from among the possessors of ambitions, on whose hearts the religion had no effect-and they joined Mu’awiya’s camp. Therefore, Ubaydillah, the sinful traitor, was responsible for destroying al-Hasan’s Army. That is because his treason led to shake the army, divide its units, and make it disordered.

[^1] Al-Ya‘qubi, Tarikh, vol. 2, p. 191. The plan Mu’awiya followed was the most important reason for paving the way to his success, winning a victory over the attitude, and overcoming the events. It brought about the defeat of the Imam’s Army, destroyed its determination, and opened a door to perfidy and treason.