ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Biography of Imam `alĪ Ibn AbĪ-tĀlib The Battle of Nahrawan Abū-Mūsa announced the deposing of `Ali (a.s) and with this `Amr ibn al-`As announced the appointment of Mu`awiyah. The way they played with the norms set by the Qur’an and Shari`ah, is a part of the history. Those who could not defeat Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s) in the battlefield, scored a point in stealth and treachery.

They turned their faces from the truth and honesty and became an instrument to comply with Mu`awiyah’s demands. The verdict of the referees was not a surprise for `Ali (a.s). He knew that the referees would do everything to protect the interests of Mu`awiyah. Although the Khawarij were forcing the Imam (a.s) to declare a war before the decision about the arbitration, he patiently awaited the outcome.

The referees bypassed their terms of reference and, instead of limiting their work to the inquiry about the killing of `Uthman, they pronounced their verdict about the caliphate. Further, they neither referred to the Holy Qur’an nor the Traditions of the Prophet (a.s) for their deliberations and decisions. In these circumstances Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s) had to decide to renew the fight with the Syrians.

For the Imam (a.s), they were only two alternatives—either to bow down his head to the forces of evil or to attack Syria once again. His duty demanded that he should adopt the second alternative. When Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s) decided to wage a war against the Syrians, he wanted to register the cooperation of the Khawarij who were themselves keen to settle scores with Syria.

Therefore, he wrote to `Abdullah ibn Wahab and Yazid ibn Husayn, “The two persons whom we had accepted as the referees, acted against the norms of the Qur’an and were overwhelmed with their selfish motives. They neither made access to the norms of the Qur’an nor the Sunnah of the Prophet (a.s). Now our position is the same as was there before the arbitration.

Therefore, you must cooperate with us and we shall make a joint and concerted move towards the enemy, until Allah decides between us and them; and Allah makes the best decisions!” The Khawarij wrote in their reply that he was now preparing for the fight to satisfy his own psyche and not to please Allah. They added that if he confessed about his infidelity and expressed his penitence, they would then consider cooperation with him.

They also threatened that if he did not express penitence, they would fight with him.