Therefore, it was farsighted to move the capital to al-Kūfah.

Therefore, it was farsighted to move the capital to al-Kūfah. (4) Al-Kūfah had the status of a cantonment and military center. Here traditionally the fighting classes were settled. And even their progeny had the same propensity. The people of al-Madinah, because of their affluence were easy going and submissive. Therefore, when the Imam (a.s) declared al-Kūfah as the capital, the people of al-Madinah did not react negatively.

In fact, they were happy that now on they might not have to take part in military campaigns! In circumstances when the clouds of war were hovering, peace-loving people may not be depended upon in the event of emergencies. (5) Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s) had already seen that after the demise of the Prophet (a.s), with the exception of a few persons, the people had shown lack of enthusiasm towards him.

When they noticed that even after 25 long years of caliphate the conditions were not improving, they opted for his ascension to the caliphate. But not much time had gone by when one group from them had recanted the bay`ah and prepared to fight a battle with him. Those who did not join that group also showed utter unconcern. Therefore, the Quraysh did not seem like cooperating, Banū-Umayyah migrated to Syria as partisans of their kinsman, Mu`awiyah. Banū-Taym wanted talah to become the caliph.

Banū-`Adi were in favor of `Abdullah ibn `Umar who had abstained from owing allegiance to the Imam (a.s). Thus many persons, for various reasons, were abstaining from giving him the required support. How could they be expected to rise like one if there was an attack from Mu`awiyah! (6) Al-Madinah, because of it’s religious sanctity was not so much exposed to outside dangers as was Iraq. Mu`awiyah’s sights were focused on Iraq. He wanted to capture it at any cost.

Therefore, it was necessary for the Imam (a.s) to stay in al-Kūfah until those dangers subsided. But neither the dangers lessened nor the mischief of Banū-Umayyah under Mu`awiyah. The Imam (a.s), therefore, had to spend the remaining years of his life in al-Kūfah only. Previous…