Basics of Religious Education — Page 242
242 242 242 242 242 B ASICS OF R ELIGIOUS E DUCATION - F IFTH E DITION But Hadrat Talhah ra and Hadrat Zubair ra did not agree with Hadrat Ali ra and started raising an army. Hadrat `Aa’ishah ra , who was not aware of the real situation, also joined them in an effort to punish the assassins. The three led a small army towards Basrah. Hadrat `Ali ra tried his best to avoid fighting and bloodshed, but all his efforts failed. Unfortunately, a battle took place between his forces and the forces of Hadrat `Aa’ishah ra. Hadrat Talhah ra and Hadrat Zubair ra left their forces even before the battle, and were killed by some opponent. Hadrat `Aa’ishah ra ’s forces were defeated, but Hadrat `Ali ra gave her due respect and ensured her safety. This battle was called the battle of Jamal (camel), because Hadrat `Aa’ishah ra rode a camel during the battle. Later, Hadrat Aa’ishah ra was regretful throughout her life to have fought against Hadrat `Ali ra. After the battle of Jamal, Hadrat `Ali ra once again urged Ameer Mu`aawiah to submit to him in the best interest of Islam. But Ameer Mu`aawiah again refused to submit on the pretext that the blood of Hadrat `Uthman ra , who also belonged to the family of Umayyah, must be avenged first. Ameer Mu`aawiah, with the help of 'Amar Bin Aa’s, started raising an army. Hadrat `Ali ra had no alternative but to advance towards Syria to fight Ameer Mu`aawiah. In July, 657 A. D. , the two armies met in a battle at Saffain. There were heavy casualties on both sides, but the battle ended in an accord that the matter be decided by an arbitration committee. This consisted of Abu Musa al-Ash`ari to represent Hadrat Ali ra and `Amar Bin al-`Aas to represent Ameer Mu`aawiah, but this arbitration also ended in failure because `Amar Bin al-`Aas deviated from the decision agreed upon with Abu Musa al-Ash`ari ra. A large group of people, who were basically against the proposal of arbitration, separated from Hadrat `Ali ra , and chose an independent Ameer for them. This group was called “Khawaarij” meaning outsiders. At first, Hadrat `Ali ra , tried to persuade them to submit to him, but failed. This led to a fierce battle in which most of the Khawaarij were killed. After their crushing defeat, the Khawaarij planned to murder Hadrat Ali ra , Hadrat Mu`awiah ra and `Amar Bin al-`Aas. The first two escaped from the attempts on their lives. Hadrat `Ali ra was fatally wounded by the attacker, while going to the mosque for Fajr prayer. Two days later, this courageous and pious Khalifa passed away. Undoubtedly, Hadrat `Ali ra sacrificed his life for the integrity of Khilafat and in the best interest of Islam. Battle of Saffain (July 657 A. D. ) Appearance of Khawaarij His Demise (Jan. 661 A. D. ) H H H H H OL OL OL OL OLY Y Y Y Y P P P P P ROPHET ROPHET ROPHET ROPHET ROPHET SA SA SA SA SA AND AND AND AND AND S S S S S UCCESSORS UCCESSORS UCCESSORS UCCESSORS UCCESSORS — H — H — H — H — H ADRA ADRA ADRA ADRA ADRAT T T T T `A `A `A `A `A LI LI LI LI LI RA RA RA RA RA 6. 6 6. 6 6. 6 6. 6 6. 6