That is because he had no knowledge of that with which Imam...

That is because he had no knowledge of that with which Imam al-Hasan’s army was afflicted with. He thought that the members of the army were still in their first condition, that they still had their activity and strength, and that they were one thousand (fighters) from among the Muhajireen and the Ansar. He did not know that they suffered from weakness and troubles that divided them and put an end to their activity.

He also did not know that the great figures from among the Muhajireen and the Ansar were destroyed at the Battles of Siffin and al-Nahrawan, and that the army had few people from among those brave heroes. I (the author) swear by Allah that if Imam al-Hasan had summoned Ziyad, he would have betrayed him and would not have responded to him. The proof is that when he came to know about the weakness of the Imam’s army, he sided with Mu’awiya and deserted the Imam.

How was he not deceived while he was among the shaky consciences? Then the time showed his wickedness and his bad intention. He became one of the bitterest enemies to Imam Ali, the Commander of the faithful, his children, and his followers (Shia). That was after Mu’awiya had added him to himself. Anyway after his speech, Ziyad wrote a letter to Mu’awiya. This is the text of the letter: “Your letter came to me, O Mu’awiya. I have understood what is there in it.

I have come to know that you are like the drowned one covered with waves who catches the weeds and clings to the frogs’ legs as a sign of carving after life. The one who is ungrateful for the blessing is he who turns away from Allah and His Apostle, and makes mischief in the land. As for your cursing me, were it not for the clemency that withheld me from you and for that I called foolish, I would move against you disgraces no water would wash.

As for your reviling me because of Sumayya, then you are the son of a group (of men).[^1] As for your claiming that you can kidnap me with the weakest feather and capture me with the easiest effort, have you ever seen that a lark can terrify a falcon or have you ever heard that a lamb can eat a wolf? Now, carry out your plan and do your best, for I will not stop except at where you dislike, nor will I do my best except about that which displeases you!

You will come to know who will yield to his companion! With Greetings.” When Mu’awiya read Ziyad’s letter, he became terrified, so he summoned (al-Mughira bin Shu‘ba), the crafty person of the Arabs.