Peace Treaty of Imam al-Hasan (a): Difference between revisions

'''The peace treaty of Imam al-Hasan (a)''' points to a peace treaty between [[Hasan b. 'Ali b. Abi Talib (a)]] and [[Mua'wiya]], Abu Sufyan's offspring, in 41 AH, after Imam 'Ali (a)'s death. This treaty was made after the war whose cause was Mu'awiya's greed and his rejection to pledge allegiance to Imam al-Hasan, who had become caliph of Muslims. This war remained unfinished due to people not supporting Imam al-Hasan (a), the disloyalty of some commanders, protection of shi'as, and the hazard of khawarij. Consequently, Imam al-Hasan (a) had to accept a peace treaty according to which the caliphate handed on to Mu'awiya. This treaty contained some provisions, the most important of which was Mu'awiya not assigning a successor, not to conspire against Imam al-Hasan (a), and to protect Muslims' lives. Mu'awiya conformed to none of these conditions.

=== The Situation of Kufah and Other Regions after Imam 'Ali (a) ===

After entombing Imam 'Ali (a), his followers (shi'a) pledged allegiance to his son Imam al-Hasan (a); however, it was apparent from the first day of his caliphate that he had to confront many difficulties. First, he had to calm Kufah down, then to elect ruler of Egypt and Hijaz and Eastern regions (Khurasan, Adharbayjan, and other areas of Iran). The most important of these was enlightening the final situation of Sham, either throwing Mu'awiya away or hampering his access to Iraq.

During this short period, divisions among Muslims had become plainer. Imam al-Hasan (a) did not expect Basrah people and 'Uthmaniyyun, since they would not put Mu'awiya aside. Khawarij did not agree with him as well. They demanded caliphate in contrast with their previous-year request to eliminate any denier. The only supporters of him were those claiming to be shi'a, yet most of them were pretending to be, in fact. Those inviting Imam 'Ali (a) to come to Iraq from Hijaz, either ultimately abandoned him, or confronted him or behaved towards him hypocritically.

Mu'awiya's people were devising schemes and attempting to provoke people against Imam Hasan (a). They conciliated the great men of tribes and families, offered them bribe or murdered them, spread rumors and lies in rumor-developing Iraq, plundered the frontier cities and scared their inhabitants, and made up exaggerated stories about Mu'awiya's generosity, and his tact in governing the country. These evil efforts were tools to pave Mu'awiya's path to reach Iraq.

Mu'awiya arrived in Iraq along with his army and got settled in Maskin. Imam 'Ali (a) had prepared an army in the last days of his lifetime to attack Sham (but this had not been accomplished). This army had to continue its unfinished path, who could be the appropriate commander? Qiys, son of Sa'd b. 'Ubada or 'Ubiyd Allah b. Abbas? Qiys got ready to set off to Sham. Meanwhile, Imam Hasan (a) went to Mada'in. Nevertheless, every day the camp of settled army was undergoing a new incident. Once, it was said that Qiys had been killed. After this rumor was spread, an uproar was risen among the army. The soldiers attacked their Imam's tent and plundered whatever existed in the tent, even the rug on which he sat. They tore his thigh with a pick when he was trying to find a shelter. According to Muhammad b. Jarir Tabari, when Imam al-Hasan (a)'s tent was plundered, he went to Sa'd b. Mas'ud Thaqafi (Mukhtar's uncle). Sa'd had been elected as the ruler of Mada'in by Imam (a).  Mukhtar, who was young then, asked him:

- Do you wish to gain opulence and honour?

Mukhtar is the one who took the leadership of shi'a rebellious group against 'Umawiyyun 25 years later. Perhaps Abdullah b. Zubayr's supporters had made up these stories to accuse Mukhtar; however, it also is possible to be authentic. Anyhow, a fact is notable among these reports and that is there was a group in Kufah who prioritized their personal benefit to Muslim's goodness. This is a reality present beside every revolution and movement.