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Imam Mujtaba (as) had recuperated. He had thorough knowledge of the changes that had occurred and had complete control over the latest condition of the army. He knew about the secret plans of the officers of his army and their negative intentions. On the other hand, he had received the letter from Qais b. S'ad in which he had complained about the desertion by the army commanders. Anyhow, he ordered the prominent personalities in his army, officers and leaders to assemble at the governor house at Madain and addressed them, saying: "O men of Iraq! what action remains that you have not taken against me! This is the letter from Qais b. S'ad. He writes that your noble and respected men, by going to Moawiya, are giving allegiance to him. By God you have not done this today for the first time, but on a day in Siffin also you had forced my father to accept 'arbitration' and when he acceded to your demands, then you got divided among yourselves. Later, he ordered you to start war against Syria afresh, but you adopted an easygoing attitude till he breathed his last. Subsequently you paid allegiance to me without any pressure on the condition that you will fight whom I will fight and will make peace with whom I will make peace. That is how I had marched for war with you all. Almighty God is well aware of my intentions and my motive. But after that see what you did to me!!

O people of Iraq! what I have seen and endured from you is enough. Now do not deceive me any more in my religion as I intend handing over the rule to Moawiya." 18

"O men of Iraq! even if other issues are ignored for the time being, yet three of your actions are such which are sufficient for you to be set aside: The assassination of my father, the murderous attack on me; robbing my goods and belongings. 19

The address of Imam Mujtaba (as) to the special group of the army is very significant. If they had even the slighest disagreement with their behaviour as analysed by the Imam (as), they would have protested against the same. It was the limit of patience and humility of the grandson of the Holy Prophet (saww) that even after witnessing so much disobedience and breach of trust and bearing so much oppression, he addressed them in such a manner. He made it clear to them that they had been disobeying their caliph or Imam since the period of Hazrat Ali (as). So, if now Imam Mujtaba (as) wanted to end the war by handing over the outward rule to Moawiya, it were they who were responsible for the same.

After addressing the army officers and selected personalities, Imam Hasan (as) went and addressed the army personnel at large as well. Before accepting the peace offer, this sermon is very significant and there are so many aspects in it for those who are interested in a deeper study of the problem.

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18. Balazari - 'Ansaab al Ashraaf', vol.3 p.39; Ibne A'sam - 'Al Futooh', vol. 4, p.157; Baqar Qarshi - 'Hayat al Imam al Hasan bin Ali', vol. 2, p.127; Ibne Abee al Hadeed - 'Sharhe Nahjul Balagha', vol. 16, p.22.

19. Abu Maskooya - 'Tajarib al Umam', Tehran, Dar Sarosh, 1987, vol.1, p.338; Hafiz Zahbi - 'Tareekh al Islam' Khulfa-e-Rashideen period, p.7; Abdul Qadir Badran 'Tahzeeb-e-Tareekh-e-Damishq al Kabeer', vol.4, p.225; Ibne 'Asakir - 'Tareekh-e-Madina-e-Damishq, tarjuma al Imam al Hasan', p.183; Ibne Aseer - 'Al Kamil fit-Tareekh' vol. 2, p.46; Tabari - 'Tareekh al Tabari', vol. 3, p.165; Dayar Bakari - 'Tareekh al Khamees' p. 390; Mas'oodi - 'Murawwij az Zahab', vol.3, p.9.

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