There was not even one aware and faithful individual among the opponents and enemies of the First Infallible Successor to the Prophet of Islam, Imam Ali (Peace be upon him).

The opponents and foes of the Infallible Imam were either those who were aware of the righteous path of the Infallible Imam, but were after their own political interests, worldly desires, or ethnical and tribal prejudices; or were those, who did not maintain an appropriate understanding, and looked at political and social topics of importance with narrow-mindedness, prejudice, and stupidity.

Today, in continuation of the discussion on Imamate, we study some of the important events throughout Imam Ali’s rule.

In the previous week, we referred to the opposition groups to Imam Ali and how Imam Ali treated opposition groups. Given that Imam Ali was committed to ethical virtues and principles, he did not neglect his opponents; because negligence of opponents was tantamount to partly negligence of the realities of the community and negligence of the human rights of opponents, which is in contrast to the principles of human rights in the sacred religion of Islam. On this basis, Imam Ali recognized the human rights of opponents, and granted them civil rights like other people.

The opponents and foes of Imam Ali were generally divided into a number of groups. A group of opponents were aware of the Infallible Imam’s righteous path, but maintained worldly and materialistic demands and desires. The other group was comprised of ignorant and illogical individuals, who did not have an appropriate understanding of the truth and looked at social and political issues with narrow-mindedness coupled with prejudice. Nonetheless, Imam Ali did not deny the right of freedom to the opposition currents. However, when his efforts to guide them failed and the opponents took up arms, Imam Ali addressed them and pointed out: “You cannot be reformed via the language of logic, and the only option left for your reformation is resorting to force.”

Undoubtedly, Imam Ali did not consider war as a means of domination, and considered battle as the last option for prevention of acts of sabotage. In treatment of enemies, Imam Ali made every effort to elaborate on the truth with clear logic and reason.

Other than those who broke their pledges, under the command of Talhe and Zobair, another group led by Moavieh confronted Imam Ali. This group comprised of unjust and power-thirsty individuals who dominated the region of Shaam. Upon the establishment of Imam Ali’s just rule, struggle against this unjust group began. Imam Ali, in the early days of his rule, sent representatives to Shaam, calling on Moavieh to swear allegiance with the Infallible Imam, and to leave Shaam in the first opportunity that arises. However, Moavieh decided to wage a battle against the Infallible Imam. Thus, Imam Ali was forced into getting prepared for battling Moavieh. Nonetheless, he also continued his efforts to reach a compromise with Moavieh.

To this end, Imam Ali wrote several letters to Moavieh, and sent a number of representatives to Shaam. But, Moavieh refused to submit and to terminate his rule over Shaam. Finally, after the troops of Imam Ali and Moavieh entered the battlefield, Imam Ali ordered his disciples and troopers not to start the battle. This battle was popularly known as Saffain Battle in history. In this battle, some of the disciples of the Prophet of Islam Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny); such as Ammar Yasser fought against the enemy troops, alongside the forces of Imam Ali. Meanwhile, Imam Ali’s forces advanced within the ranks of the enemy troops. However, Moavieh, who was on the verge of defeat, ordered his troops to place copies of Holy Quran on their lances in order to deceive the troops of Imam Ali. This trick deceived some of Imam Ali’s troopers. Although Imam Ali tried to enlighten his deceived troopers that Moavieh was a disbeliever; that group of gullible and unaware troopers piled up pressure on Imam Ali to accept to arbitrate between the two troops. These gullible individuals had lost their wisdom and insight. While Imam Ali’s forces were on the verge of a resounding victory, the pressures piled up by these gullible individuals and other hypocrites and opportunists, forced Imam Ali to halt the battle and to accept to arbitrate. Plans were set for both parties to introduce their representatives for arbitration. At first, Imam Ali considered individuals such as Abdullah ibn Abbas or Malek-e Ashtar as his representatives. However, upon the insistence of gullible individuals among his troops, Abu Mousa Ashari, was introduced as the representative of Imam Ali’s troops, while  Amr Aas was chosen by Moavieh as his representative.

The two arbitrators negotiated with each other and decided that the two parties should dismiss Imam Ali (AS) and Moavieh from caliphate, and to delegate a council the authority to elect the caliph. Initially, Abu Mousa dismissed Imam Ali from caliphate. However, Amr Aas, confirmed the dismissal of Imam Ali by Abu Mousa, and instated Moavieh to caliphate. In this manner, arbitration ended with an unacceptable outcome. After the arbitration, Moavieh’s troops escaped a crushing defeat.

At this point in time, a number of Imam Ali’s troops, who were dissatisfied with the results of arbitration left Imam Ali’s camp and confronted Imam Ali. They were referred to as Khawarej. This group comprised of gullible individuals, who were deceived by Moavieh troops’ deceitful act, piling up pressure on Imam Ali to accept ceasefire and arbitration. Now, the same individuals were criticizing Imam Ali for acceptance of arbitration, while blatantly and baselessly referring to Imam Ali (AS) as a disbeliever. Meanwhile, Imam Ali responded to their objections with clear reasoning, and upon reference to ayahs of Holy Quran and Prophet’s tradition. However, Khawaraj who were a group of ignorant individuals refused to accept the logical remarks of Imam Ali.

Violence was one of the features of Khawaraj. They were rude, insulting Imam Ali in public. They also spread baseless rumors and killed innocent individuals. Nonetheless, Imam Ali tolerated their misconducts and did not deny them of their social and political rights. Imam Ali made every effort to guide Khawaraj. He also personally attended their camp to guide them to the righteous path. But, his efforts to guide them were inconclusive.

Given the climate of fear that Khawaraj had shaped among people and massacre of innocent people by Khawaraj; Imam Ali decided to stand up against their seditious plots. Thus, he sent troops to Nahravan to confront Khawaraj forces. Upon arrival at Nahravan, Imam Ali still tried to guide Khawaraj by delivering a keynote speech. The enlightening remarks of Imam Ali were influential, while two thirds of Khawaraj troops left the battlefield. The rest of Khawaraj troops waged a battle against Imam Ali’s forces. The Infallible Imam’s forces courageously fought against Khawaraj in the Battle of Nahravan and imposed a crushing defeat on Khawaraj.

MR/EA