He advises to Abu Sifyan and Abbas...

He advises to Abu Sifyan and Abbas: "Squelch the waves of mischief by a boat of safety, and do pace the path of argument and crown yourselves with distinction and honor." Abbas and Abusifyan treated the matter with a parochial view, which did not go beyond a tribe. Therefore, surrendering to a fellow man of Teem -- a small district in Quraish did not appear to them a matter of any complexity. But, Ali made them to comprehend the prestige and the honor -- an issue far beyond the myopic tribal one.

Ali in his letter to Mawiya says: "Lowliness is not for a Muslim. If one is armed with Faith he can not remain a victim." According to Abil Hadeed(3:1)Omar told Abubaker that he did not take the funds from Abu Sifyan and asked him to keep it for himself (i.e. Abusifyan). This he had to do to avoid his mischief. Abusifyan had recently returned having had collected ZAKAT (charity tax) from the surrounding districts.

Ali was aware of this fact that Islam had not yet spread its roots into the soil of the hearts. Every neck had lengthened itself to overlook where a chance resides and to overpower the circumstance for personal fulgor and eclat. He feared not upon his life but for the life which was yet infancy to Islam. He saw in the officing every evil and mischief had he to contest for his right. He did what was the best -- not to him but to the newly introduced religion.

According to him; "I never doubted the right ever since I saw it." He saw the right and he was a boy often years. Hence, he was well qualified to protect the right and the cost whatever dear to him was cheap. "One who is sure of water will not become thirsty." Once Abusifyan told Ali: "By God, if you want I will fill the grounds with men and horses." Ali replied to him "By God, you purport a mischief out of this.

You had rebelled against Islam and we do not need your sympathy." This shows the straightforwardness of Ali. He rejects the help in order to avoid the bad for Islam. 4. HIS BEHAVIOUR WITH THE CALIPHS As we told he persuaded the path of patience. He remained to respond where the need called him and the interests of religion obliged him.

Some historians, among the ancients and among the recent ones, have interpreted his stand as a total surrender to the existing authority and with an absolute willingness and desires. The facts are ignored. In a review let us see the facts. He did not recognize Abubaker as long as Fatima was alive.