No doubt...

No doubt, in asceticism, piety and faith, these persons presented an ideal and the Muslims used to seek religious knowledge and learning from them only. But they were small in numbers as a large number from this group had been martyred in the unending wars during the caliphate of Hazrat ‘Ali (as). However, the remaining prominent personalities among them were still performing their duties honourably in the army of Imam Al-Mujtaba (as) to the best of their ability.

They tried their best in inducing people to join the army, but it seems they could not change the thinking of the majority of the people of Kufa, and could not win their support. They remained faithful to the members of the household of the Holy Prophet (saws) even after the martyrdom of Imam Hasan (as) and some of them joined the revolution brought about by Imam Husayn (as) and attained martyrdom along with him. The Supporters of Feudalism The Arab society was based on tribalism.

The war was also fought in accordance with the same system. The tribal chief would decide whether to fight or not to fight and the other members of the tribe had to follow him. One tribe, along with its chief would form a unit or a battalion. Islam was against this system of blind faith but it required a long time for the people to be educated, to acquire deep knowledge and to attain faith in the light of Islamic teachings.

It cannot be denied that during the time of Hazrat ‘Ali (as) itself, many prominent tribal members had changed their loyalties. According to the historian Masudi, a majority of the wealthy persons of Iraq had negotiated with Muawiya, but their survival depended on outwardly supporting Hazrat ‘Ali (as) in the war between him and Muawiya, while remaining neutral. On many occasions, they openly opposed the leader of the faithful, thereby adversely affecting the war.

During the time of Imam Al-Mujtaba (as) these persons had started to support Muawiya more openly and their number had also increased. Most of the army of Imam Hasan (as) was composed of such persons who would only accept the order of their tribal or party leader. In such circumstances, there was always a possibility that such leaders could force the majority of the army of Imam Husayn (as) to leave him at the slightest hint by Muawiya.