The Biography of Hazrat Ali (May Allah Be Pleased with Him) – (Part 32):
The Stance of Hazrat Ali on the Issue of Arbitration
It is narrated that Emir Muawiyah was present at the location where the outcome of the arbitration was to be declared, or he was stationed nearby. He sent Yazid bin Hur al-Absi to Hazrat Ali to inform him of his presence at Dumat al-Jandal. The messenger approached Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) and extended an invitation, saying: “Your presence will foster reform, resolve the dispute, and extinguish the flames of discord.”
Hazrat Ali responded, “I want to control them. If I leave these individuals unchecked and do not remain here, a greater discord than their battle with the people of Sham will arise in this city. I will send Abu Musa, whom the people have chosen, as my representative, and I will also send Abdullah bin Abbas with him, who will act as my deputy. His presence will be like my own.” He then summoned the two of them and dispatched them with a group of horsemen.
It seems that the stay of the Commander of the Faithful allowed an opportunity for the enemies of peace to exploit the situation, spreading rumors that he had annulled and renounced the arbitration. For this reason, Ash’ath bin Qays went to him and said, “O Amir al Momineen! It is being said that you consider arbitration to be misguided and steadfastness in it to be disbelief, and that you have repented from it.” Hazrat Ali delivered a sermon and said, “Whoever claims that I have withdrawn from arbitration has lied, and whoever considers it to be misguidance is more misguided than the arbitration itself.”
Upon hearing this, the Kharijites left the mosque, chanting the slogan “There is no judgment but that of Allah.” It was said to Hazrat Ali, “They have rebelled against you.” He replied, “I will not fight them as long as they do not come to war, but they will eventually do so.”
From this text, it is clear how committed the Amir al Momineen was to arbitration. From the moment the Quran was raised, he expressed his satisfaction and, despite the opposition of the Kharijites, said, “I am more entitled to act in accordance with the Quran.”
His dedication to peace and his trust in Abu Musa (may Allah be pleased with him) was so profound that he said, “O Abu Musa, arbitrate, even if it results in my beheading.”
The extent of Hazrat Ali’s love for the Muslim community and his strong inclination toward peace can perhaps be understood from his stance on peace and his saying: «إن استطعت أن تكون السلم فافعل». If you can do anything to contribute to the creation of peace, do not hold back.
Also, the sufferings Hazrat Ali endured from his own army and the problems caused by the Kharijites, the Sabaites, and the agitators become evident.
The Outcomes of Arbitration:
We previously mentioned that the disagreement between Hazrat Ali and Muawiyah (may Allah be pleased with them) was not over the caliphate and rulership but rather the fundamental issue of carrying out punishment on the killers of Hazrat Usman (may Allah be pleased with him) and then having Emir Muawiyah pledge allegiance to Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). Therefore, those who assess the outcomes of arbitration from the perspective of these fundamental differences say: “The arbitrators reached no conclusion.”
That is to say, the arbitrators did not compel Hazrat Ali to punish the Kharijite Sabaites, nor did they compel Hazrat Muawiyah to pledge allegiance to the caliph. This was because these two issues were interrelated and separating them from one another was impossible, as addressing either was difficult or had serious consequences.
This point confirms the farsightedness of the arbitrators, and their awareness of the responsibilities entrusted to them, as well as their understanding of the crisis the Muslim community was facing.
The arbitrators can never be accused of failing in their duties, for they possessed the necessary qualifications, experience, trustworthiness, knowledge, patience, and skill.
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