He would let the public know that on his death...

He would let the public know that on his death, there would be no nomination, except that his son, Yazid would become the Caliph .

This would be done regardless of Hasan’s consent or not , and in face of acceptance or rejection by all and sundry.” He concludes thus: “So that they should continue to stay in their positions, most of his governors strongly supported this idea despite the fact that it was un-Islamic…” After the martyrdom of Imam Hasan that resulted from him being poisoned, Muawiya planned his strategy to establish his son Yazid’s succession. But to do this was not easy. According to what Sheikh Abdallah S.

Farsy states in his book The Biography of Sayyidina Husayn on page 18, “(Muawiya) perceived the difficulties in breaching the covenant and planned to execute his stratagem stealthily by prompting his governors to air this view and thus create an impression that this idea was not his but that of his governors .

He instructed his governors to promote this idea in their domains of authority casually, in the initial stage.” Having done so, he then assembled them all at one venue and as preplanned, made each of them, one after the other, propose Yazid’s succession. However, all of them did not comply; among those who opposed this idea was Al Ahnaf bin Qays, who, according to Sheikh Abdallah S. Farsy (refer his book Page 20), said: ‘No!

We, the people of Iraq, and the people of Hijaz, too, are not in agreement with this. We are not satisfied with the prospect of having Yazid as the Caliph of Muslims . And you, more than any one else, know that your son is unfit (for this position). Do not purposely condemn yourself to Hell. As for us, we shall not be satisfied unless we see this position goes to one from the progeny of Ali.” There ensued a commotion.

Sheikh reports (page 20): “Abu Khunayf unsheathed his sword …Addressing Muawiya, he said, ‘Let him who opposes me taste this: he will then come to his senses.

’ Preparing to go away, Muawiya said: ‘Indeed, this is a true patriot , one who is man of action, not mere words, one who is the best of all who are present here.’ The assembly then dispersed.” Sheikh Farsy continues (page 21) saying that when Bibi Aisha, the Prophet’s wife, came to know about this, “ she was very angry because Muawiya was going back on his promises given to Sayyidnal Hasan…” This matter ended at that, and no further action was taken.