History Books

We quote the sermon from authentic historical sources:

"By God, neither had we any doubt about fighting the Syrians nor did we have any remorse, because it was we who had fought the Syrians with confidence and humility. But enmity took the place of confidence and uncertainty replaced patience. Earlier, when you were marching towards Siffin, your religion dominated your worldly feelings, but today the worldly benefits are upper most in your mind, over and above religion. Beware that you have become divided between two types of slain persons - one who were killed in Siffin and whom you are mourning, and the other ones who were killed in Nahrwan, whose revenge you want to take. The others have run away from war. However, the mourners of those killed intend to fight on.

Beware, Moawiya has made us such an offer which is neither respectful nor is it based on justice! So, if you decide to fight till death then we will again attack Moawiya and force him, with the might of the sword, to turn to the right path as commanded by Almighty God. But if you choose worldly life, then we will accept his offer and get protection for you."

Hearing this, the cry of 'life, life' was heard from all directions. 20

So when the Imam (as) saw the low spirits of his companions and found them unwilling to such an extent to fight, he sent Abdullah b. Haris b. Noful b. Haras, the nephew of Moawiya, to him, and accepted the peace offer.Though the above historical sermon of the Imam (as) was most significant as he had also analysed their moral and political conditions, yet what is much more important is that the sermon had clearly vindicated the stand taken by Imam Mujtaba (as) about peace and war. History provides contradictory situations about peace and war but if someone wants to study the true ideas of the Imam (as) about peace and war, then he should concentrate on the above sermon. Imam (as) had shown his firm determination to fight on despite the disobedience, differences, treachery, many incidents, including the attack on his camp and the murderous attack on himself, provided the soldiers were willing to fight according to his command. This means that whatever has been publicised about Imam Hasan (as) himself wanting peace, is not correct!

The conclusion is that the true Islamic caliph, the grandson of the Holy Prophet (saww), being the Imam, did not deviate from the basic divine law which directs to fight the rebellious group till they return to the right path as commanded by Almighty Allah. In accordance with this very firm Islamic law, his father had fought with Moawiya and the Imam (as) also followed the same divine law step by step till the end.

Thus he was not satisfied with peace with Moawiya and had made it clear to the people that there was neither respect nor justice in it. However, when they wanted to accept it despite this explanation, the Imam (as) could not force them to fight on. So, he took the bitter pill of the offer of peace by Moawiya.
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20. Tareekh-e-Ibne Khaldoon, vol.2 p.187; Hafiz Zahbi, 'Tareekh Al Islam', p.6; Ibne Asakir - 'Tareekh Ibne 'Asakir', al Mahmoodi, p.178-9; Abdul Qadir Badran, 'Tahzeebe Tareekhe Damishq', vol 4, p.225; Ibne Aseer - 'Al Kamil fee al Tareekh', vol. 2, p.447; Baqar Qarshi - 'Hayat al Imam al Hasan bin Ali', vol 2, p.109.

Adpted from the book: "Imam Hasan and Caliphate" by: "Qurrat-ul-Ain Abidiy"