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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Islamic Teachings in Brief Were the Polices of Al-'imam Al-hasan (as) and Al-'imam Al-husayn (as) Different? Although these two great leaders are, according to the explicit statement of the Holy Prophet (SA), rightful Imams, their policies apparently seem different.

Some have even said that the difference of opinions of these two brothers was so great that one of them, having 40 000 combatants, accepted the peace offer, while the other, with only 40 friends and companions (other than his relatives) fought the enemy and lost all of them including his suckling child for this cause.

However, close investigation proves the contrary, as we see that al-'Imam al- Hasan (AS) lived for about nine and a half years during the reign of Mu'awiyah and did not oppose him overtly. After the martyrdom of his brother, al-'Imam al- Husayn (AS) also lived for about nine and a half years during the reign of Mu'awiyah and never thought of rising in rebellion against him and did not challenge him.

Hence, the main cause of this superficial difference in the policies of the two Imams (AS) lies in the difference of opinion between Mu'awiyah and Yazid, rather than the difference of opinion of these two great Imams (AS). The policy of Mu'awiyah was not based on lack of discipline and restraint and he did not deride the religious precepts by its overt opposition. Mu'awiyah called himself a "companion" of the Holy Prophet (SA) and the "writer of Revelation".

Through his sister (who was the wife of the Holy Prophet (SA) and who was Umm al-Mu'minin (the mother of the believers), Mu'awivah was called "Khal al-Mu'minin" (the maternal uncle of the believers) and was greatly favoured by the Second Caliph in whom the common people had total confidence and special attachment.

Furthermore, Mu'awiyah, in a majority of cases, had appointed the of the Holy Prophet (SA) who were respected and honoured by the people (such as Abu Hurayrah,' Amr al-'As, Samrah, Yusr, Al-Mughirah ibn Shu'bah, and others) as governors of provinces and had put them in charge of the key positions of the country. These governors used to work for the favourable opinions of the people towards Mu'awiyah.

Many ahadith were fabricated and narrated among the people regarding the virtues and the religious immunity of the of the Holy Prophet (SA) and that they were not questionable for whatever they did.