ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Role of Aisha in the History of Islam (volume 3) Abu Musa and 'amr Ibn Al-'as You are like a dog which on being attacked, breathes hard with its tongue hanging out, and in being left alone, it does the same thing. Abu Musa addressing 'Amr ibn al-'As You are like a donkey laden with books. 'Amr ibn al-'As addressing Abu Musa As we saw, the Imam was eventually compelled to accept the view of the rebels of his army who demanded arbitration.

The matter led to the choice of arbitrators. The people of ash-Sham chose 'Amr ibn al-'As, and al-Ash'ath and his Kufan supporters, who after this event formed the party of Khawarij (namely outsiders, leaving 'Ali's side as a successor to the caliphate), declared that Abu Musa was their nominee.

The Imam said: "I do not think Abu Musa is the right man for such an important task." Al-Ash'ath and his supporters said: "We choose no one but him, since it was he who warned us against this war from the beginning." The Imam said: "I could not be pleased with him and his judgment. He stayed away from me and forbade the people from aiding me. Then he fled from me until I granted him grace. I nominate Ibn 'Abbas for this affair." They said: "By God! Ibn 'Abbas is not different from you.

We accept none from the army of Iraq unless his family ties with you and Mu'awiyah is on an equal footing." The Imam said: "In that case I nominate Malik al-Ashtar." Al-Ash'ath said: "It was none but Malik who set fire to the land under our feet.

Is it not true that we are under al-Ashtar's verdict?" The Imam said: "What is his verdict?" They said: "His verdict is that we and the army of ash-Sham give each other so many blows of the sword until what you desire and what he wishes to be fulfilled." The Imam said: "But you see, 'Amr ibn al-'As will deceive Abu Musa." They said: "We will be satisfied with Abu Musa's arbitration." Then Imam said: "Is he your only choice?" They said: "Yes." The Imam said: "Then do what you wish." They sent after Abu Musa, and when he arrived, al-Ashtar suggested to Imam 'Ali: "O Imam, let me go with him." This suggestion was presented to the Kufans, but again they showed obstinacy and rejected it.

Then they wrote a letter of agreement making God a witness over the two arbitrators to deliver a judgment only in accordance with the Qur'an the Prophet's tradition. Then they added that if they judge contrary to the Qur'an and the Prophet's tradition, the Muslims would not heed to it.