Although Islam tried to change this evil trait in people...

Although Islam tried to change this evil trait in people, but the trait that remained with them for centuries could not be removed so fast. The farsighted eyes of `Umar were seeing that the spirit of hatred and revenge can raise its evil head in the form of war. It was possible that the circumstances changed and the power shifted to the hands of `Ali (a.s). In such an event the influence of Mu`awiyah might wane.

Forecasting such a scenario he advised people to migrate to Syria and assemble under the flag of Mu`awiyah. This, he thought would strengthen the hands of Mu`awiyah. In fact, such a thing did happen. As soon as `Ali (a.s) assumed power, people started moving towards Damascus in numbers. They looked like moving at the slightest hint of his eyebrows! If this dissent was not in the mind of `Umar, how was he advising people to assemble under Mu`awiyah so far ahead of that time.

What sort of dissent he was forecasting that he advised people to gather under Mu`awiyah at Damascus and not in al-Madinah, to strengthen it, the original Dar al-Hijrah! When it was not hidden from `Umar the type of lifestyle that Mu`awiyah had adopted was certainly the emulation of Caesar and Khusrow which had nothing to do with the Spartan Islamic Lifestyle! Therefore, once `Umar was in Syria. He saw the pomp and pageantry of Mu`awiyah and said, “You look the Khusrow of the Arabs!

I have heard that the needy come to your door standing there for long hours and you remain relaxing at home! “Mu`awiyah replied, “We are in such a land that where the sleuths of the enemy keep an eye on every move of ours and conveying the intelligence to their center. We want to frighten them with our pomp and show!

“Hearing this reply, `Umar said, “This is the talk of a clever person!” Al-Tabari writes that `Umar used to say: “You talk of the cunning exploits of Caesar and Khusrow, although Mu`awiyah is living amongst you!”[1] But, despite this he paved the way for Mu`awiyah and put it in his mind that he should take advantage of the mutual differences and to usurp the caliphate Thus, psychologically he made him a candidate for the caliphate.

Therefore, Ibn Abil-Hadid writes with reference to the book, Al-Safinah, by Abū-`Uthman al-Jahiz quoting what `Umar told the members of the Shūra: [1] Tārīkh al-Tabarī, Vol 4, Page 244 “If you act with the spirit of mutual cooperation and help and thoughtfulness, then you and your progeny will taste the caliphate.