Imam al-Husayn b. Ali (a): Difference between revisions

According to some Sunni sources, al-Hasan (a) and al-Husayn (a) participated in the Battle of Ifriqiyya in 26/646-7<ref>Ibn Khaldūn, ''al-ʿIbar'', vol. 2, p. 573-574.</ref> and in the Battle of Tabaristan in 29/649-50 or 30/650-1.<ref>Ṭabarī, ''Tārīkh al-umam wa l-mulūk'', vol. 4, p. 269.</ref> This report is not affirmed in any Shiite sources. Moreover, it is said that no fight occurred in those battles, and the two sides made peace.<ref>Ibn Qutayba, ''al-Maʿārif'', p. 568.</ref> Scholars disagree as to the authenticity of the reports that indicate the presence of the two Imams (a) in these battles. For instance, considering the weakness of their chains of transmitters and the disagreement of the Imams with the conquests, [[al-Sayyid Ja'far Murtada al-'Amili]] (d. [[2019 CE|2019]]) maintains that these reports are inauthentic. He mentions that the fact that Imam Ali (a) did not allow them to fight in the Battle of Siffin is further evidence that those reports are fabricated.<ref>ʿĀmilī, ''al-Ḥayāt al-sīyāsīyya'', p. 158.</ref> However, some other scholars hold that the participation of the two Imams (a) in those battles were for the greater good of the Ummah and in order to provide Imam Ali (a) with accurate information about the circumstances and also to acquaint people with Ahl al-Bayt (a).<ref>Zamānī, ''Ḥaqāʾiq-i pinhān'', p. 118-119.</ref>