He adopted this attitude because he considered himself under...

He adopted this attitude because he considered himself under obligation to enforce Islamic principles and at the same time the path of solving the political problems in the manner in which his contemporary politicians and those of later ages reflected upon was closed before him and he was not neglectful of it. However, he was on his guard against treachery, deceit and bargaining and as his conduct was peculiar to himself he did not pay attention to the political behaviour and policies of others.

For this reason and taking into account the rule and principle which he had in view he did not agree to allow Mu'awiya to retain Syria and as a matter of principle his action with regard to Mu'awiya was based on the same rule and principle according to which he had rejected Mu'awiya's request previously and had said: "I am not going to seek help from the seducers.” He also knew very well that the observance of this rule and principle was not compatible with the spirit of his time and following this policy would create the greatest difficulties for him.

Nevertheless the only factor and cause which made him persevere and consider the exigencies of time to be insignificant was that, he wished that there should be ‘Ali and not Mu'awiya. Imam ‘Ali was struggling to safeguard and enforce this principle and rule and not to attain to ruler ship and kingdom. He did not desire a transient victory but wished to achieve a permanent and eternal victory.

The clearest proof of the correctness of this claim and of his careful attention towards these things is that he said to some of his companions who were showing much humiliation before him: "I know with which factor and means I should make you obey me.

However I tell you that I am not the man who would spoil and corrupt his faith so that your material desires may be fulfilled.” Yes, the crux of the matter is that ‘Ali was campaigning against immorality, mischief, indecency and corruption and in this struggle which he had undertaken against moral vices and to uproot indecency and uncleanness from the souls of the people, he did not exempt even those of his friends and kinsmen in whose nature this ailment had penetrated.

In short in this campaign friends and enemies were equal in his eyes and in the circumstances it is evident that for Mu'awiya, who was drowned in intellectual and practical evils, there was no place in this organization and he was a man who could not succeed by any other way except evil.