You were (nothing) but like a partridge in the claws of a falcon.

You were (nothing) but like a partridge in the claws of a falcon.” Amr bin al-‘Aas turned to Mu’awiya and said to him: “Oh, why did you not shoot those behind us?” “Therefore, I would be your partner in ignorance,” replied Mu’awiya, “Do I vie in glory with a man whose grandfather was Allah’s Apostle.

He is the master of those who passed away and those who have remained (alive), and whose mother was Fatima al-Zahra’, the mistress of the women of the world?” Then Mu’awiya turned to Amr bin al-‘Aas and said to him: “By Allah, if the people of Sham heard of that, it would be a deadly shortcoming.” So Amr bin al-‘Aas said: “He kept you.

However he destroyed Marwan and Ziyad.” Ziyad hurried to confirm the statement of Amr bin al-‘Aas about that Imam al-Hasan had defeated them, saying: “By Allah, he did. However, Mu’awiya refused (all things) except exciting (enmity) between them and us. Without doubt, by Allah, if I witnessed an assembly in which they were, I would be with them against him who vied in glory with them.” Ibn Abbas was alone with Imam al-Hasan. He kissed him between his two eyes.

He admired his speech and his answer to these rogues, saying: “May I be you ransom, O cousin! Your sea was still full, and you assaulted until you satisfied me (for revenge on) the children of the prostitutes.” Imam al-Hasan was absent from Damascus for some days. Then he came back to it and came in to Mu’awiya. In Mu’awiya’s assembly there was Abdullah bin al-Zubayr. When Mu’awiya saw Imam al-Hasan, he rose and received him.

After he had sat down, he turned to the Imam and said to him: “O Abu Muhammad, I think that you are tired, so go home and take a rest.” Imam al-Hasan left Mu’awiya. Mu’awiya turned to Abdullah bin al-Zubayr and urged him, saying: “Why do you not pride yourself on al-Hasan? You are the son of the disciple of Allah’s Apostle (a.s) and his cousin. Your father had done well for Islam.” Ibn al-Zubayr was deceived by Mu’awiya’s speech.

He showed him his readiness for debating with Imam al-Hasan and priding himself on him. He said to him: “I will challenge him!” Ibn al-Zubayr went away. He spent the night sleeplessly thinking about something with which he would disgrace the Imam. When he entered upon morning, he quickly came to Mu’awiya’s assembly, that he might debate with the Imam and to aggress against him to satisfy Mu’awiya’s feelings. Imam al-Hasan (a.s) came. Mu’awiya rose and welcomed him.