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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Biography of Imam `alĪ Ibn AbĪ-tĀlib The Battle of Siffin Part 1 Syria was the cradle of Umayyad power and the capital of Mu`awiyah ibn Abi-Sufyan. He was occupying the region since the times of the second caliph. Because of this long period in the position of the governor, he had entrenched himself and was ruling from Damascus like an autocratic monarch.

When Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s) assumed the office of the caliph, he wanted to bring about a total change in the administration. Hence, he put all the governors under notice of change. Therefore, Qays ibn Sa`d was sent as the governor to Egypt, `Ubaydullah ibn `Abbas to Yemen, `Uthman ibn Hunayf to al-Basrah as the new incumbents. They took charge of the provinces without any problems. The Imam (a.s) sent `Imarah ibn Shihab towards al-Kūfah and Sahl ibn Hunayf to Syria.

While going to al-Kūfah, when `Imarah stopped at Zabalah, Talhah ibn Khuwaylid al-Asadi intercepted him and asked him to return from there or else he would be killed. Therefore, he returned from there. When Sahl ibn Hunayf reached the valley of Taboo on his way to Syria, a unit of men appointed by Mu`awiyah stopped him and asked who he was and where he was headed to? I am the governor for Syria appointed by `Ali Ibn Abi-Talib (a.s).

They said that besides Mu`awiyah they would not accept anyone as the ruler of Syria. They warned him to return to the place from where he came, or else their swords will settle the matter! Sahl could not have fought with the patrol consisting of a large number of men. Therefore, he was forced to return back. He returned to the presence of Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s) and reported the matter to him. Amir al-Mu'minin (a.s) knew from the outset that Mu`awiyah would not vacate the position easily.

He also knew that one day the flames of battle would rise between the Syrians and people of al-Kūfah. But he did not want to precipitate matters and wished to make all possible efforts for a peaceful settlement. Therefore, he sent al-Hajjaj ibn Ghaziyah al-Ansari with a letter to Mu`awiyah and asked him to come with a delegation of Syrians to al-Madinah to owe his allegiance to the Imam (a.s). Mu`awiyah read the letter but did not give it any importance and asked al-Hajjaj to go back.

He gave one package to Qabisah al-`Absi and sent him to Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s).