If these eight persons had also gone with those people...

If these eight persons had also gone with those people, such a flash of lightning would have struck Medina that none of its inhabitants would have remained alive.”[1] In the Battle of Siffin, Hasan and Husain (a.s) were present in the service of Imam Ali (a.s). When Imam Hasan (a.s) took up the sword and attacked the enemies, Ali (a.s) told his companions to stand before him and restrain him lest he is martyred in that battle and the progeny of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) becomes extinct.

[2] In the Battle of Jamal, Imam Ali (a.s) summoned Muhammad Ibn Hanafiyyah, handed him the sword and told him to go and slash the legs of Ayesha’s she-camel. So that if Ayesha were to fall to the ground, the heat of the battle could cool down and these foolish people would survive the massacre. However on the opposite side the rows of army were defending with such dexterity that Muhammad Ibn Hanafiyyah was compelled to return.

Imam Hasan (a.s) took up the sword from Muhammad Hanafiyyah and stepped into the battlefield. He cut through [1] Farogh-e-Hidayat Pg. 272 [2] NahjulBalagha, Vol. 2, Pg. 651 the rows with a speed of lightning till he reached the she-camel of Ayesha. Then he immediately cut off the legs of the animal. When Imam Hasan (a.s) returned victorious, the face of the battle had changed completely and the routed army gave up the fight. In this way the Battle of Jamal reached its conclusion.

Muhammad Hanafiyyah put his head on his knees and expressed regret that he were unable to perform the task entrusted by his father, Amirul Momineen (a.s) looked at Muhammad Ibn Hanafiyyah and said, “O my son! Do not be displeased with the victory of Hasan, because he is the son of Fatima and you are only my son.[1] [1] Manaqib Ibn Shahr Ashob Vol. 2, Pg. 21 Back Index Next Previous…