ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Brother of the : Imam ‘Ali Why did the reign of the Imam not last long? ================================================ Many historians and writers criticized the policy of the Imam and considered it extremely idealistic and unrealistic. At the same time these critics appeared to be so impressed with the intelligence of Muawiya and his wiliness that they considered him a statesman of the highest rank.

Critics of this kind usually look at consequences instead of looking at the circumstances which brought about those consequences. The best way to reach an objective judgement in comparing the two men is to suppose that they had exchanged their circumstances places and times as well as their posts and their qualities except wisdom intelligence and bravery.

Let us suppose: ‘Ali was a non -Hashimite Qureshite and he was not responsible for the death of many Qureshites at the Islamic defensive battles during the prophethood era. That he was the governor of Syria since the early portion of ‘Umar's caliphate. That he remained in his post for about eighteen years. Thus the roots of his authority and policy were spread and deepened in Syria. That the people of Syria were the same people at that time in their obedience and unity.

That he was an opportunist unconcerned with ideal principles and that he was concerned only with his selfish materialistic benefits allowing himself to acquire those benefits through any means including purchasing people's conscience with public funds assassination betrayals lies and killing righteous and innocent people. That the Qureshites who represented the influential aristocracy in the Muslim World loved and supported him.

On the other hand let us also suppose: That Muawiya was a Hashimite responsible for many Qureshite deaths. That he became caliph after the death of Uthman when the unity of the Muslims was broken. That Quraish hated him because he was responsible for the death of many Qureshites. That Ayeshah Talhah and Al-Zubayr accused him of the assassination of Uthman and turned a great number of Iraqi people against him and waged against him a costly war in which thousands died.

That he stayed in Kufa only a short period after that bloody war. That the people of Iraq were the same people at that time in arguments disputes extremism and disobedience.