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Peace Treaty of Imam al-Hasan (a): Difference between revisions
Peace Treaty of Imam al-Hasan (a) (view source)
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'''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]]/661, after [[Imam 'Ali (a)]]'s demise. This treaty was made after the war whose cause was Mu'awiya's greed and his rejection to pledge allegiance to Imam al-Hasan (a), 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 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]]/661, after [[Imam 'Ali (a)]]'s demise. This treaty was made after the war whose cause was Mu'awiya's greed and his rejection to pledge allegiance to Imam al-Hasan (a), 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. | ||
Imam al-Hasan (a): "If I had had a supporter, I would not have handed the caliphate on to Mu'awiya, for the caliphate is prohibited for Bani 'Umayya." | Imam al-Hasan (a): "If I had had a supporter, I would not have handed the caliphate on to Mu'awiya, for the caliphate is prohibited for Bani 'Umayya." | ||
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This great mission required faithful, tactful, courageous, and most important of these disinterested Muslims; however, the majority of the people around Imam al-Hasan (a) were not in possession of a high-degree faith, and Mu'awiya's purposeful generosity had caught their greedy eyes. These people where those who tormented Imam 'Ali (a). | This great mission required faithful, tactful, courageous, and most important of these disinterested Muslims; however, the majority of the people around Imam al-Hasan (a) were not in possession of a high-degree faith, and Mu'awiya's purposeful generosity had caught their greedy eyes. These people where those who tormented Imam 'Ali (a). | ||
During this short period, divisions among Muslims had become plainer. Imam al-Hasan (a) did not expect [[Basra]] people and 'Uthmaniyyun, since they would not put Mu'awiya aside. | During this short period, divisions among Muslims had become plainer. Imam al-Hasan (a) did not expect [[Basra]] 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. | ||
The pure faithful shi'as, his and his father's true friends, were sometimes deceived by Mu'awiya's people, since they were not used to hypocrite and lie, and did not imagine that much enthusiasm and passion was only for mundane purposes, not for God's satisfaction. | The pure faithful shi'as, his and his father's true friends, were sometimes deceived by Mu'awiya's people, since they were not used to hypocrite and lie, and did not imagine that much enthusiasm and passion was only for mundane purposes, not for God's satisfaction. | ||
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=== People's Negligence in Supporting Imam al-Hasan (a) === | === People's Negligence in Supporting Imam al-Hasan (a) === | ||
To evaluate people's readiness to fight, Imam al-Hasan (a) told them: "If you are ready to take arms against Mu'awiya, we will reject the peace and will take his life; however, if you would like to stay, we will accept the peace and will demand safety for you." At this point, people repeated vehemently the phrase "al-baqiyyah" (means staying), signing the peace treaty. | To evaluate people's readiness to fight, Imam al-Hasan (a) told them: "If you are ready to take arms against Mu'awiya, we will reject the peace and will take his life; however, if you would like to stay, we will accept the peace and will demand safety for you." At this point, people repeated vehemently the phrase "al-baqiyyah, al-baqiyya" (means staying), signing the peace treaty. | ||
"It was obvious for Imam al-Hasan that people had abandoned him. Khawarij insulted him, regarded him a kafir, were suspicious of him, thought it was mubah to take his life, and plundered his properties. Apart from these people, no one was Imam's supporter who would be free from negative thoughts towards him. It was not except from some of his relatives, either they were his father's shi'a or his, a few number who could not confront the large army of Sham", Shaykh Mufid states in al-Irshad. | "It was obvious for Imam al-Hasan (a) that people had abandoned him. [[Khawarij]] insulted him, regarded him a [[kafir]], were suspicious of him, thought it was [[mubah]] to take his life, and plundered his properties. Apart from these people, no one was Imam's supporter who would be free from negative thoughts towards him. It was not except from some of his relatives, either they were his father's shi'a or his, a few number who could not confront the large army of Sham", [[al-Shaykh al-Mufid]] states in ''[[al-Irshad]]''. | ||
Sulaym b. | [[Sulaym b. Qays al-Hilali]] states: "When Mu'awiya came to kufa, Imam al-Hasan (a) got on the pulpit and after praising God said: "I take oath to God, if people pledged allegiance to me and assisted me, the sky would generously grant them its rain and the earth would give them its bless, and you Mu'awiya would never be tempted to take over caliphate." | ||
Imam al-Hasan (a) pointed to disloyalty and lack of support from people in a | Imam al-Hasan (a) pointed to disloyalty and lack of support from people in a [[khutba]]: "If I had a friend or a companion, I would never hand the caliphate on to Mu'awiya, since the caliphate is prohibited to Bani 'Umyya." Moreover, he replied to the person protesting the peace: "I handed the caliphate on to Mu'awiya on account that I did not have companions to fight with him. If I had some, I would fight with him day and night to finally defeat him." | ||
=== Preventing Bloodshed === | === Preventing Bloodshed === | ||
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He also said: "I had all Arabs' heads in my hand, if I established peace, they would do so, and if I fought, they would take arms, but I disregarded it because of God's satisfaction and saving Muslims' lives." | He also said: "I had all Arabs' heads in my hand, if I established peace, they would do so, and if I fought, they would take arms, but I disregarded it because of God's satisfaction and saving Muslims' lives." | ||
He replied to Sulayman b. | He replied to Sulayman b. Surad's protest: "I see something apart from what you observe, and I did not do so only to prevent bloodshed." Imam al-Hasan (a) explained somewhere else: "I thought preventing bloodshed is better than the opposite." | ||
After establishing peace, Mu'awiya asked Imam al-Hasan (a) to take part in combat with khawarij. He did not participate and sent Mu'awiya a letter saying: "If I wanted to fight with any Muslim, the first one of them would be you. But I did not make a war against you for Muslims' goodness and protection of their lives." | After establishing peace, Mu'awiya asked Imam al-Hasan (a) to take part in combat with khawarij. He did not participate and sent Mu'awiya a letter saying: "If I wanted to fight with any Muslim, the first one of them would be you. But I did not make a war against you for Muslims' goodness and protection of their lives." | ||
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=== Protecting Religion === | === Protecting Religion === | ||
One of the primary reasons of accepting peace by Imam al-Hasan (a) is protecting the religion, since fighting with Muslims would have exposed the Islamic territory to the hazard of elimination of the religion. Making war against Mu'awiya was beneficial for neither | One of the primary reasons of accepting peace by Imam al-Hasan (a) is protecting the religion, since fighting with Muslims would have exposed the Islamic territory to the hazard of elimination of the religion. Making war against Mu'awiya was beneficial for neither Kufa nor Sham. It only paved Rome Empire's path to attack Islamic territory. [[Ya'qubi]] writes: "Mu'awiya returned to Sham in [[41]]/661. Having been notified about Rome large army, Mu'awiya sent an ambassador to them and established peace by offering 100 thousand dinars. | ||
On the other hand, war and bloodshed would have brought about suspicion to religion and sacred things due to the weak culture of people in that time. Perhaps it was one of Imam al-Hasan (a)'s reasons for accepting peace. He said: "I was afraid Muslims be eradicated and no one remain. Therefore, I consented to peace in order to save God's religion. | On the other hand, war and bloodshed would have brought about suspicion to religion and sacred things due to the weak culture of people in that time. Perhaps it was one of Imam al-Hasan (a)'s reasons for accepting peace. He said: "I was afraid Muslims be eradicated and no one remain. Therefore, I consented to peace in order to save God's religion. | ||
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=== Fatigue of War === | === Fatigue of War === | ||
Due to 40 years of fighting in different wars, there had not remained any spirit of fighting among Muslims except for some pure shi'as and some warlike youths. After establishing Islamic government, Muslims participated in | Due to 40 years of fighting in different wars, there had not remained any spirit of fighting among Muslims except for some pure shi'as and some warlike youths. After establishing Islamic government, Muslims participated in [[ghazwa]] and [[sariya]] at prophet's presence, then they had to fight with soldiers of Rome, [[Iran]], and some neighboring nations of [[Jazirat al-Arab]] in the caliphate of the three caliphs, and after that, they suffered from three great civil wars when Imam 'Ali (a) was ruling the Islamic territory. Considering all these factors, a few people volunteered to take part in war when Imam al-Hasan (a) and his close friends such as [[Hujr b. Adi]] and [[Qays b. Sa'd Ansari]] invited people to unify and make an army against Mu'awiya. | ||
Imam al-Hasan (a) told the people who had pledged allegiance to him and promised to give him a hand: "If you are honest in what you have said, join me at Mada'in garrison." Then, Imam (a) set out for Mada'in. Those who had really decided to fight set off along with Imam, yet a large number of them broke their promise and were not loyal to their appointment. They deceived Imam al-Hasan (a), just like before when they had deceived his father Imam 'Ali (a). | Imam al-Hasan (a) told the people who had pledged allegiance to him and promised to give him a hand: "If you are honest in what you have said, join me at Mada'in garrison." Then, Imam (a) set out for Mada'in. Those who had really decided to fight set off along with Imam, yet a large number of them broke their promise and were not loyal to their appointment. They deceived Imam al-Hasan (a), just like before when they had deceived his father Imam 'Ali (a). | ||
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=== Inconsistent army === | === Inconsistent army === | ||
Shaykh Mufid in Al-Irshad writes: "The people accompanying Imam Hasan (a) were from different groups and directions; a number of them were his or his father's shi'a, a group of them were supporters of [[hakamiyyat]] (khawarij) that intended to fight with Mu'awiya with applying any kind of subterfuge. Some of them were seeking for uproar and riots or booties. Some were suspicious and had dogmatic tribe beliefs who were the followers of their tribe leader and did not have mundane motivations." | |||
An army consisting of these people would break into pieces when encountering any incident. "Khawarij accompanied with Imam al-Hasan (a) to establish stratagem, they fought (jihad) but by the purpose of corruption." | An army consisting of these people would break into pieces when encountering any incident. "Khawarij accompanied with Imam al-Hasan (a) to establish stratagem, they fought ([[jihad]]) but by the purpose of corruption." | ||
Imam Hasan (a) answered to the person who protested his agreement with peace: "People of Iraq will bring anyone trusting them to failure, since they are not concurrent with each other in thoughts and demands. They are not decisive neither in goodness nor in badness." | Imam Hasan (a) answered to the person who protested his agreement with peace: "People of Iraq will bring anyone trusting them to failure, since they are not concurrent with each other in thoughts and demands. They are not decisive neither in goodness nor in badness." | ||
Shaykh Mufid believes: "Imam al-Hasan (a) had no alternative but to accept peace and abandon war, since his followers had weak beliefs and determinations and did not had much faith in Imam al-Hasan (a). As it happened, they tended to disagree with him and regarded taking his life halal, they wanted to give him up to his enemy, his cousin | Shaykh Mufid believes: "Imam al-Hasan (a) had no alternative but to accept peace and abandon war, since his followers had weak beliefs and determinations and did not had much faith in Imam al-Hasan (a). As it happened, they tended to disagree with him and regarded taking his life halal, they wanted to give him up to his enemy, his cousin Ubayd Allah b. Abbas gave up assisting him and joined his enemy, and generally people turned their faces to the transitory world and disregarded blesses of [[Akhira]]." | ||
Among Imam al-Hasan (a)'s army, there were those who seemingly were obedient of Imam's orders. "A group of | Among Imam al-Hasan (a)'s army, there were those who seemingly were obedient of Imam's orders. "A group of Kufa great men wrote a letter to Mu'awiya secretly saying: we are totally obedient of you". Then, they encouraged him to travel to them, promising to give Hasan up to him when his army approached, or kill him surprisingly and all of a sudden." [[Zayd b. Wahab Juhani]] explains: "When Imam al-Hasan (a) was injured and was confined to bed in Mada'in, I visited him and said: what is your decision? People are confused. He replied: I take oath to God that I see Mu'awiya better for myself than these people who suppose are my shi'a, at the same time devise schemes to kill me, plunder my furniture, and steal my property." | ||
== What Happened to the Peace Treaty? == | == What Happened to the Peace Treaty? == | ||
After peace, Mu'awiya made a speech in | After peace, Mu'awiya made a speech in Kufa mosque and declared: "I violate every provision I promised to Hasan." He mentioned Imam 'Ali (a) by abusive language, then he insulted Imam Hasan (a). After that, Imam al-Hasan (a) stood up and made a long sonorous speech. | ||
Although Imam al-Hasan (a) was under his friends' pressure for the first clause of the treaty, he remained loyal to his promise, but if he wanted, he was free to alter or transform his provisions. Because caliphate was conditional, yet Mu'awiya was loyal to none of the provisions he was supposed to wield. Ilhaq zina ila al-nasab (means when a woman gets pregnant by adultery, and the baby is regarded as his husband's offspring. So, the orders and principles between a father and an offspring come true in this situation. It is against Islamic ahkam), saying Friday Prayer on Wednesday, suspending divine limits, declaring riba as jayiz, announcing adhan for | Although Imam al-Hasan (a) was under his friends' pressure for the first clause of the treaty, he remained loyal to his promise, but if he wanted, he was free to alter or transform his provisions. Because caliphate was conditional, yet Mu'awiya was loyal to none of the provisions he was supposed to wield. Ilhaq zina ila al-nasab (means when a woman gets pregnant by adultery, and the baby is regarded as his husband's offspring. So, the orders and principles between a father and an offspring come true in this situation. It is against Islamic ahkam), saying [[Friday Prayer]] on Wednesday, suspending divine limits, declaring [[riba]] as jayiz, announcing [[adhan]] for Eid prayer, making [[khutba]] before Eid prayer, declaring the obligation of paying [[zakat]] for gifts, debauchery and impudence, and forging [[hadiths]] were Mu'awiya's innovatory traditions which was completely against sunna of the prophet. Mu'awiya violated the second clause of the treaty by determining his son [[Yazid]] as his successor. | ||
Mu'awiya knew his government is strong only by insulting Imam 'Ali (a), so he violated the third clause as well. His people insisted so much on this odious action that regarded it as a part of Friday Prayer, and anyone refusing to do it would have been thrown away from his position. | Mu'awiya knew his government is strong only by insulting Imam 'Ali (a), so he violated the third clause as well. His people insisted so much on this odious action that regarded it as a part of Friday Prayer, and anyone refusing to do it would have been thrown away from his position. | ||
Those who believe paying Darabgard taxes to Imam al-Hasan (a) was one of the clauses of the peace treaty have written: "People of | Those who believe paying [[Darabgard]] taxes to Imam al-Hasan (a) was one of the clauses of the peace treaty have written: "People of [[Basra]] prevented from transferring the taxes of Darabgard to Imam al-Hasan (a) and said: This booty is ours. And this was done through Mu'awiya's order. | ||
Even though Mu'awiya had promised to secure shi'as, he sent a circular letter to all of his governors and rulers in Islamic cities stating: Be aware to omit anyone's salary and pension who is in favor of 'Ali. He also attached another letter to it and ordered: Anyone accused of loving this family must be imprisoned and his house have to be destroyed. | Even though Mu'awiya had promised to secure shi'as, he sent a circular letter to all of his governors and rulers in Islamic cities stating: Be aware to omit anyone's salary and pension who is in favor of 'Ali. He also attached another letter to it and ordered: Anyone accused of loving this family must be imprisoned and his house have to be destroyed. | ||
Mu'awiya intended to poison Imam al-Hasan (a) several times, but no success was achieved. Ultimately, he deceived Ja'da, Imam al-Hasan (a)'s wife, by putting forward some promises. Ja'da poisoned Imam Hasan (a), making him martyr. Mu'awiya violated the last clause of the treaty by killing Imam al-Hasan (a). | Mu'awiya intended to poison Imam al-Hasan (a) several times, but no success was achieved. Ultimately, he deceived [[Ja'da]], Imam al-Hasan (a)'s wife, by putting forward some promises. Ja'da poisoned Imam Hasan (a), making him martyr. Mu'awiya violated the last clause of the treaty by killing Imam al-Hasan (a). | ||
== Works Concerning the Peace Treaty of Imam al-Hasan (a) == | == Works Concerning the Peace Treaty of Imam al-Hasan (a) == | ||
Lots of books have been authored about the peace treaty of Imam al-Hasan (a). Only names of some of them have been remained in indexes: | Lots of books have been authored about the peace treaty of Imam al-Hasan (a). Only names of some of them have been remained in indexes: | ||
* Sulh al-Hasan wa Mu'awiya, written by Ahmad b. Muhammad b. Sa'id b. Abd al-Rahman al-Sabi' | * ''[[Sulh al-Hasan wa Mu'awiya]]'' , written by [[Ahmad b. Muhammad b. Sa'id b. Abd al-Rahman al-Sabi'i al-Hamidani]], passed away in [[323]]/935. | ||
* Sulh al-Hasan (a), written by Abd al-Rahman b. Kathir al-Hashimi (not from Bani Hashim family, but one of their mawali) | * ''[[Sulh al-Hasan (a)]]'', written by Abd al-Rahman b. Kathir al-Hashimi (not from Bani Hashim family, but one of their [[mawali]]) | ||
* Qiyam al-Hasan (a), written by Ibrahim b. Muhammad b. Sa'id b. Hilal b. 'Asim b. Sa'd b. Mas'ud al-Thaqafi, passed away in 283 | * ''[[Qiyam al-Hasan (a)]]'', written by [[Ibrahim b. Muhammad b. Sa'id b. Hilal b. 'Asim b. Sa'd b. Mas'ud al-Thaqafi]], passed away in [[283]]/896 | ||
* Qiyam al-Hasan (a), written by Hisham b. Muhammad b. al-Sa'ib | * ''Qiyam al-Hasan (a)'' , written by [[Hisham b. Muhammad b. al-Sa'ib]] | ||
* A book from Abd al-Aziz b. Yahya al-Juludi al-Basri about Imam al-Hasan's peace. | * A book from [[Abd al-Aziz b. Yahya al-Juludi al-Basri]] about Imam al-Hasan's peace. | ||
* Akhbar al-Hasan (a) wa | * ''[[Akhbar al-Hasan (a) wa wafatih]]'' , written by [[Haytham ibn 'Adi al-Tha'labi]], passed away in [[207]]/822. | ||
* Akhbar al-Hasan b. 'Ali (a), written by Abi Ishaq Ibrahim b. Muhammad al-Isfahani al-Thaqafi. | * ''[[Akhbar al-Hasan b. 'Ali (a)]]'' , written by [[Abi Ishaq Ibrahim b. Muhammad al-Isfahani al-Thaqafi]]. | ||
== External Links == | == External Links == | ||