With the signing of this agreement...

With the signing of this agreement, 'Amr ibn al-'As, the cunning adviser of Mu'awiyah was chosen for arbitration by the people of ash-Sham, and the thick head and faithless Abu Musa by the Iraqis.146 In the first meeting of the two arbitrators of Dumat al-Jandal, 'Amr ibn al-'As tried to show a deep respect to Abu Musa and cunningly gave him priority over himself.

He said to him: "You have been the Prophet's companion a long time before me, and you are older than me." After sitting down for discussion, Abu Musa said to him: "O 'Amr!

Are you not in favour of the good of the Ummah and satisfaction of God?" 'Amr ibn al-'As asked: "What is the good of the ummah?" Abu Musa said: "Let us give the caliphate to 'Abd Allah bin 'Umar 147 who has taken no part at all in these wars." 'Amr said: "Why have you forgotten Mu'awiyah?" Abu Musa said: "What business has Mu'awiyah with the caliphate? He has no merit for it at all." The discussion lasted long, and neither of them reached any agreement.

At last Abu Musa said: "In my opinion we should reject both 'Ali and Mu'awiyah, and let a council of Muslims choose anyone they like as caliph." 'Amr ibn al-'As said: "This is exactly what I had in mind, and I approve of it.

This is the kind of verdict which contains the good of the people." In the morning of next day they appeared before the people, and Abu Musa said to 'Amr: "Climb the pulpit and announce the verdict." 'Amr ibn al-'As, in accordance with his pre-arranged plan, said: "I shall never allow myself priority over you. You are superior to me, and excel me in both the matters of age and wisdom." So Abu Musa rose and climbed the pulpit and after offering his praises to God, he announced: "O people!

We have thought of the way of bringing back the unity and friendship of the Islamic ummah, and we have found no better way than denouncing both 'Ali and Mu'awiyah, so that we may leave the choice of the caliph to the Muslims' council, that they may choose anyone they choose. I hereby announce the deposition of both 'Ali and Mu'awiyah, and you can start your task of appointing as your ruler anyone you elect." Saying this he descended from the pulpit, 'Amr ibn al-'As was next to climb the pulpit.

After praising God, he said: "You heard what this man said.