THE DEATH OF THE COMMANDER OF THE FAITHFUL
It was shortly after concluding this peace agreement that three of the Kharijites: ‘ Abdur-Rahmaan Ibn Maljam, Al-Barak Ibn ‘Abdellah and ‘Ann* Ibn Bakr met. They discussed people’s affairs, criticized their ruler’s policies, grieved the death of those killed in Al-Nahrawaan battle and prayed that they be forgiven. They then said to one another: “They were our fellow brothers who used to call on people to worship Allah (for such were the false claims of the Kharijites) and who never hesitated to do what is right in the eyes of Allah. If we kill those masters of evil, we will rid the state of them and avenge our brothers’ death.” Therefore, Ibn Maljam said: “I will rid you of ‘Ali Ibn AbiTalib.” Al-Barak Ibn ‘Abdellah said: “I will rid you of Mu’awiyah Ibn Abi Sufyati.” ‘ Amr Ibn Bakr said: “1 will rid you of ‘Amr Ibn Al-‘ As.” They then made a solemn pledge and agreed to put their plan into effect on Ramadan 17th, 40 A II.
As for Ibn Maljam, he succeeded in murdering ‘ Ali Ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him, when he ambushed him as the latter stepped out of his house to perform the dawn prayer at Al-Jami’ Mosque. However, Al-Barak Ibn ‘ Abdellah and ‘ Amr Ibn Bakr missed their targets. That way ‘ Ali was martyred at the age of sixty three, ending a turbulent period of rule that lasted for four years and nine months.
It is indeed amazing to note that the death of this revered companion who enjoyed a dignified status in Islam ushered a new era of stability in the Muslim state, after a long period of sedition that resulted in having people bear grudges against one another. Right upon the death of ‘Ali, people pledged loyalty to his son, Al-IIassan, as the new caliph. AI-Hassan was a devout Muslim who genuinely wished to avoid Muslim bloodshed. He hated the idea of fighting Mu’awiyah and declared his stance as regards his father’s opponent. AI-Hassan was well-aware that people of Iraq were mainly responsible for what his father was made to go through during his strife with Mu’ awiyah. He was convinced that they were not the kind of people who could bring about victory, whose vows could be trusted or whom any leader could take pride in. Owing to all these reasons, Al-Hassan immediately started exchanging messages with Mu’awiyah concerning handing over Muslims’ affairs and pledging allegiance to him on a set of conditions which they agreed on during their meeting in Al-Kufah in Rabee’ Al-Awal, 41 All, which came to be known as the Jama’ ah (the union) year since all Muslims unanimously agreed on a single caliph, namely Mu’awiyah Ibn Abi Sufyan. This therefore brings to an end one of the saddest episodes in Muslim history. No sooner did Muslims reunite under the leadership of Mu’awiyah than they resumed Muslim conquests anew, spreading Islam in yet new parts of the world.
(Source: Biographies of the Rightly Guided Caliphs )
Comments
John Doe
23/3/2019Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
John Doe
23/3/2019Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
John Doe
23/3/2019Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.