ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Anecdotes of Pious Men The Prohibition of Water Moawiya was ruling over Syria as its governor for nearly sixteen years; and was secretly planning to grab the Caliphate taking advantage of every possible opportunity. The best excuse for him to revolt against the Central authority and declare his own caliphate was the Othman's murder. He had not done any thing concerning the appeals of Othman for help, during his life time.

In fact, he was waiting for him to be murdered, so that he could make it an excuse for his scheme. Othman got murdered and Moawiya immediately sought to exploit the situation for his own purpose. On the other hand, people after the murder of Othman rallied behind Ali (who because of various reasons, was reluctant to take the responsibility of Caliphate) and declared their allegience to him.

Observing that the responsibility was now formally turned to him, he accepted it and his Caliphate was 5 4 proclaimed in Medina, the capital and centre of Muslim world in those days. All provinces of Is- lamic government submitted to his obedience - with the exception of Syria which was under Moawiya. He refused allegience to Ali, accusing him of shel- tering the murders of Othman.

He recruited a large number of Syrian soldiers and made prepara- tion for the declaration of independence of his provinces. After settling the issue of the battle of Camel (JAMAL), Ali turned his attention to Moawiya. He wrote several letters to him, but in vain. Both sides moved their armies towards each another. Abul Aawar Salmi was leading Moawiya's advanced battalion and Malik Ashtar was in command of the advanced battalion of Ali. They met at the bank of the Euphrates.

Ali's directive to Malik was not to be the first to attack. But Abul Aawar made a severe attack to intimidate the soldiers of Ali. Malik then pushed the Syrians far behind. Salmi now thought of another tactics. He reached the 5 5 Ghat, i.e. the slope on bank of the Euphrates which was the only spot convenient to fetch water. He deployed his spearmen and archers to guard the spot and prevent Malik and his company from coming near it. Soonafter, Moawiya himself arrived with a large army.

Happy at the strategy of his commander he further increased the number of the soldiers guarding the approach to river. Soldiers of Ali were put in distress owing to the shortage of water.