I shall decide about it in [1] Al-Akhbār al-Tiwāl...

I shall decide about it in [1] Al-Akhbār al-Tiwāl, Page 142 the light of the Qur’an and Sunnah.” When Jarir went with this letter to Mu`awiyah, he read the letter and told him: “You ask `Ali (a.s) to give the territory of Syria to me, then I shall do the bay`ah .”[1] After thinking for a while, he asked Jarir to wait there for a few days so that he would discuss the matter with the people of Syria and take their opinion. Therefore, he called his brother `Utbah ibn Abi-Sufyan to take his opinion.

`Utbah asked him to call `Amr ibn al-`As to his place and make use of his wisdom. Certainly, he said, `Amr will give good advice. Mu`awiyah liked this suggestion. He wrote a letter to `Amr ibn al-`As, “You must have learned what treatment `Ali (a.s) has given to Talhah, al-Zubayr and Umm al-Mu’minin. Now he is turning towards me. He has sent Jarir ibn `Abdullah al-Bujali to me seeking my bay`ah . I do not take any step without consulting you.

Therefore, come immediately to me.” `Amr read the letter and understood that Mu`awiyah did not need any advice about the bay`ah because the consequence of owing his allegiance would mean the loss of the Governorate of Syria and at any cost he would not like to give up the post. Certainly the consultation he wants to make is for opening up a front to fight against `Ali (a.s). `Amr must have decided whether to go or not to go.

But to get further opinion on his decision he called his two sons, `Abdullah and Muhammad, and asked for their advice. `Abdullah said that he had no chance of becoming the caliph, it would be better for him to sit quietly at home and do not compromise the Faith for a little worldly benefit. Contrary to this, Muhammad opined that he should not miss such a golden opportunity. He said that such opportunities do not come every day.

He added that he was not an unknown person in Arabia and that his opinion has certain weight. A new establishment is taking shape and his opinion would be of great help in the process. He insisted that when decisions are made about the caliphate, his being away from action was unimaginable. After hearing both the sons’ opinions, `Amr said: “O `Abdullah what you have said is beneficial for my Hereafter and my Faith too will remain firm! O Muhammad!