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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Biography of Imam `alĪ Ibn AbĪ-tĀlib The Verdict of the Referees The Agreement of the arbitration was executed on 13 Safar 37 H and during Sha`ban 37 H both the referees, Abū-Mūsa al-Ash`ari and `Amr ibn al-`As met at the place of al-Adhruh lying between Ma`an and Wadi-Mūsa. As agreed earlier, four hundred men from each of the two groups also reached that solace.

The chief of the Syrian delegation was Abul-A`war al-Salami and the Iraqi team was led by `Abdullah ibn `Abbas and Shurayh ibn Hani’. Ibn `Abbas was leading the prayers and Shurayh was leading the delegation and had brought a message for Ibn al-`As from `Ali (a.s). Therefore, he met `Amr ibn al-`As and told him that Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s) had sent him the message that the best person is one who moves away from the path of vice and comes to the ways of virtue.

This he dies, in spite of the fact that there are worldly benefits in vice and hardships in adopting virtue. Therefore, he exhorted him not to close his eyes to the Truth and make compromises for the sake of power and pelf. He said that whatever he acquires in the world, is bound to go away from him one day.

He added that the day was not far away when he will be on the death bed, biting his hands, saying how he wished he had not cooperated with the unjust and had not given the wrong verdict accepting bribes. When `Amr heard this message, he said, “Did ever an occasion came when `Ali had given me advice and I had accepted it? Or ever I acted on his suggestion? Or given any weight to his suggestions?”[1] Shurayh said, “O son of al-Nabighah!

I you did not consider Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s) worthy of advising you, then how is it that Abū-Bakr and `Umar would not do anything important without taking his advice? Certainly, they were better persons than you! `Amr said, “A person of my status does not like to talk with you!” Shurayh rejoined, “This pride and conceit in you is because of your descent from al-`As ibn Wa’il or it is because of the infamy of your mother!” Saying this he stood up and came away from him.

[1] Al-Kāmil fit-Tārīkh, Vol 3, Page 167 Before this meeting, Mu`awiyah wrote to `Abdullah ibn `Umar, `Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr, Abū-Jahm ibn Hudhayfah and `Abd al-Rahman ibn `Abd-Yaghūth that they did not take part in the battle of Siffin, but they must attend the meeting at al-Adhruh as delegates from him. Therefore, the persons reached the venue before the proceeds of the meeting commenced.