ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Life of Imam Al-hasan Al-mujtaba The Followers of Imam Ali (a.s) Among the most important conditions Imam al-Hasan made against his opponent Mu’awiya is the general security for his followers (Shia) and those of his father. He stipulated that Mu’awiya had not to subject them to evil and detested things. However Ibn Abi Sufyan (Mu’awiya) violated his covenant and did not fulfill it.

He regarded as among his most important objectives putting an end to this believing class that believed in the right of , peace be on them. He went too far in terrifying and exhausting them. He killed many of them and threw many others into dark prisons. The Shia suffered from hard tiredness, ordeals, and misfortunes. I think that no nation faced harm and persecution like that which the followers of had faced.

The most of them in trial, harm, and unhappiness were the people of Kufa, because that Mu’awiya had appointed Ziyad as a governor over them after the death of al-Mughira. Ziyad was aware of them. So he spread among them killing and execution. He killed them everywhere. He cut off their hands and legs. He knocked out their eyes. He crucified them on the trunks of the date palms. He drove them away and made them homeless.[^1] Mu’awiya sent a note to all his governors.

In the note he has mentioned: “Search for whoever it is proved that he loves Ali and his household. Omit him from the divan (register). Cancel his pay and his provision.” Then he sent them another copy in which he has mentioned: “Punish severely those whom you accuse of love for these people () and demolish their houses.” Imam al-Baqir (a.s) talked about the persecutions and the harms which and their followers suffered during the time of Mu’awiya.

He has said: “Our followers (Shia) were killed in all cities. Their hands and legs were cut off out of doubt. Those who loved and devoted themselves to us were imprisoned; their properties were plundered, and their houses were demolished.”[^2] When Mu’awiya, Hind’s son, became a ruler, a door to oppression and tyranny was opened against the followers of Imam Ali (a.s). They faced political and social problems.

They met abasement, torture, and severe punishments to the extent that none can imagine what horribleness and bitterness they faced. Showing love toward , peace be on them, became as disgrace, shortcoming, sin, and offense. Some Umayyads decided that showing love for was unbelief, and apostasy from the religion.