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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Biography of Imam `alĪ Ibn AbĪ-tĀlib Unrest and Its Causes Amir al-Mu’minin’s bay`ah was still in process when disruptive activities commenced and a web of intrigue was created around him. Mischief raised its head from all sides. When one mischief was dealt with, another presented itself. His short reign was marked with these troubles.

Because of these intrigues some people have formed an opinion that the unrest was because of his political ineptitude and that Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s) was not capable of organizing the administration, law and order. No doubt, his period was faced with internecine warfare that did not allow any expansion in the realm. All this was the after effects of the earlier administrations. It is a fact the excess of wealth created a race for power.

Because of the conquests, lot of wealth came in and the minds of the people turned from caliphate to monarchy. This tendency poisoned the entire environment. Any one else in that situation must have thrown down the gauntlet. But Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s) faced all the odds with great courage and equanimity. Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s) assumed caliphate when al-Madinah itself was the epicenter of intrigues. Men with the idea of revolt assembled from many places in al-Madinah.

The functionaries of the previous administrations were conspiring to promote intrigue. Mu`awiyah was raring to declare himself independent in Syria. Al-Zubayr wished to establish himself in al-Kūfah and Talhah had his eyes focused on al-Basrah. All of them conspired to create hurdles at every point. They organized troops and threw challenge for fight.

It was the sagacity of `Ali (a.s) that despite all the trouble he was able to run the administration and crush the rebellion whenever it raised its ugly head. The disparate people who gathered under his banner were not sincere to him. Coordinating with such groups and contending with the guerilla tactics of the enemies was not an easy task. But he faced the enemies with the same army of disparate groups and defeated them.

The defeat of the Syrians too was almost certain but they created rift in the army of `Ali (a.s). Despite these intrigues and unrest, he introduced many long lasting reforms and kept an eye on the issues of the people’s welfare. That is the proof of his political acumen and capability of administration.