When the Imam (a.

📌When the Imam (a.s) saw that the Khawarij were adamant, he ignored them and started mobilizing his army. He addressed a sermon to the people of al-Kūfah: “O People of al-Kūfah! Remember! One who does not take part in jihad will certainly be confronted with destruction and damnation! Rise and tighten your belts to fight with those who are the enemies of Allah and His Prophet (a.s). They want to extinguish the Radiance of Allah. They are unjust, wayward and deviants from the Right Path.

They neither understand the Qur’an nor the Shari`ah! They are not qualified for the caliphate. By Allah! If they come to power, they will trample the Islamic norms and establish the Herculean and Khusrowite system! Rise and fight those enemies of the Faith! We have sought military help from al-Basrah as well. As soon as it arrives, we shall march towards Syria.” The Imam (a.s) wrote to the governor of al-Basrah, Ibn `Abbas, that he was starting for war with the Syrians.

He asked him to mobilize men and come expeditiously to al-Nukhaylah, their cantonment for the mobilization of troops. On receiving this message Ibn `Abbas and al-Ahnaf ibn Qays informed the people of al-Basrah about the Imam’s decision and asked them to get ready for departure. At this call, 1,500 men volunteered to join. When Ibn `Abbas saw this meager number of volunteers, he arranged a meeting of the people of al-Basrah and told them, “O people!

I have advised you the command of Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s)! He has ordered you to come for fighting with the enemy. I am disappointed that from this big city where sixty thousand warriors live, only 1,500 have volunteered to join! If you shirk participating in the war and keep sitting at home, you will repent your inaction! I have nominated Jariyah ibn Qudamah al-Sa’idi for the mobilization of troops.

Gather under his flag.” With this exhortation a further one thousand and seven hundred persons reported. This small contingent of three thousand and two hundred men marched towards al-Kūfah. When this contingent arrived, the elite of al-Kūfah came to the presence of the Imam (a.s). He told them that the cooperation extended by the people of al-Basrah was before them. You are my supporters and protectors. Every chief from you must persuade his tribe to come for fighting the jihad.

Every able-bodied man must join.

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