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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Black Thursday Part 8: Glimpses of Muawiyah’s Character After describing the life of Imam ‘Ali (a), there is no necessity to talk about his opponents because things can be judged by their opposites. Yet, I would like to have a glance at the character of the severest enemy of Imam ‘Ali (a), Muawiyah because the bright light of a day cannot be valued without the presence of a dark night.

If a person has not experienced burning hot sun it would be difficult for him to understand the value of cool shade. Similarly, if a person is not aware of the filth of Abu Jahl he cannot value the actual compassion of Muhammad. Therefore, unless Muawiyah’s character is put forward, it will be difficult to value of justice of Imam ‘Ali (a). Comparing Muawiyah with Imam ‘Ali (a) is like comparing two opposite things.

The difference between the character of Imam ‘Ali (a) and Muawiyah is like the difference between heaven and earth. In short, Muawiyah’s life was full of injustice as much as the life of Imam ‘Ali (a) was full of justice. Imam ‘Ali (a) was the true successor of the Prophet. Similarly, Muawiyah was the perfect inheritor of his father’s character. Imam ‘Ali (a) possessed the excellences of Lady Fatima bint Asad and Lady Khadija.

Muawiyah was the inheritor of the horrible activities of his mother, who chewed human liver. Muawiyah fulfilled his ambitions through deceit and Islamic Ummah is still suffering from its evil effects. Muawiyah revived the enmity between tribes. He enflamed evil thinking whose heat is still experienced by Islamic Ummah. I have presented a small picture of Muawiyah’s character so that justice-loving minds can distinguish between the politics of Imam ‘Ali (a) and Muawiyah.

Plight of Hujr ibn Adi Historian Ibn Athir writes in Tarikh Kamil: Hujr ibn Adi and his companions were martyred in 51 A.H. because Muawiyah had made Mughaira ibn Shoba the governor of Kufa in 41 A.H. and had advised him: “I want to give you many advices but I would not give you so many advices because of your good understanding. However keep one thing in mind. Do not keep away from troubling ‘Ali and do not avoid praying for Uthman’s salvation.

You should oppress the friends of ‘Ali and befriend the friends of Uthman and grant them lots of gifts.” Mughaira obeyed Muawiyah’s order. He always troubled Imam ‘Ali (a). Hujr ibn Adi used to criticize him saying: “You and your Amir are accursed ones.