There were people
who became hostile and contradicted and developed enmities with Hazrat
Murtaza (RADI ALLAHO ANHO). As a consequence thereof there had been armed
encounters for example, the battle of Jamal in which Hazrat Talha, Hazrat
Zubair and Bibi Ayesha Siddiqa (Radi Allaho A'nhum) fought against Hazrat
Ali (Radi Allaho Anho) and the battle of Saffain in which Hazrat Moa'awiya
(Radi Allaho Anho) faced Hazrat Ali (Radi Allaho Anho). In respect of these
armed conflicts, We the followers of Sunni Sect, regard Hazrat Ali (Radi
Allaho Anho) to be just and on the right side in his Cause. We also think
his opponents to be victims of misunderstanding or rather wrong decision
in their Ijtihad. Further, We think that Hazrat Asadullah (Radi Allaho
Anho) happened to be more exalted and superior to the others who fought
against him. However, paying due regard to the Ahadith about the ranks
and bounties of the opponents of Hazrat Ali (Radi Allaho Anho) we do not
dare to use our tongue to reproach or rebuke them. We therefore pay due
respect to them, which they deserve according to their ranks and status
already attained by them. So we do not distinguish between them or in any
way prefer them upon one another. We regard it to be unlawful to interfere
in their contradictory matters and conflicts. We think that their difference
were very much like the differences between Hazrat Abu Hanifa and Hazrat
Shafai. For us, the followers of Sunni faith it is not permissible to taunt
or rebuke any of the Holy Companions (Radi Allaho A'nhum) of even lower
ranks. So how can it be possible for us that we can dare to condemn the
Mother of Momins Bibi Ayesha Siddiqa (Radi Allaho Anha)? In what way can
we reproach a lady of such reverence and exalted rank? Let Allah forbid
us to do any such thing because such action will be insolence in the presence
of Allah and His HOLY PROPHET (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam). Allah has
revealed versed relating to her purification and exoneration from the false
accusation made about her chastity by the hypocrites. Allah has given severe
warning of painful torments unto the culprits. The HOLY PROPHET (Sall Allaho
Alaihe Wasallam) loved her most among his pious wives. Where she used to
touch the tumbler of water to satisfy her thirst he used to put his lips
there to quench his thirst. Though all the pious wives of the HOLY PROPHET
(Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) are wholly his wives both in this world and
Hereafter but he loved Bibi Ayesha (Radi Allaho Anha) so much that it had
been said specially about her that she happened to be his wife both in
this world and Hereafter. The HOLY PROPHET (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam)
ordered his beloved daughter Bibi Fatima Zohra (Radi Allaho Anha).
"Fatima if you love me than be in love with Ayesha as well because
I love her". It is laid down in the (authentic) collection of Ahadith
namely "Sahih Muslim" that so said the HOLY PROPHET (Sall Allaho
Alaihe Wasallam) to Syeda Fatima:
"O daughter Do not you love one whom I love?"
She replied "Why not".
Then he said:
"Then love her (Bibi Ayesha)".
The HOLY PROPHET (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) was asked, "Who
is your affectionate person among the human beings?"
He replied: "Ayesha".
She was that Ayesha Siddiqa binet Siddique (Radi Allaho Anho), Mother
of Momins who was the most admirable lady of the Rab of the worlds.
She was that Siddiqa whose portrait attired in silk of paradise was
brought to the HOLY PROPHET (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) by Holy Spirit
(Hazrat Jibrael/ Gabriel).
She was that Mother of the Momins that the most reverend and exalted
angel Hazrat Jibrael (Gabriel) used to salute her and did not enter her
parlor without her prior permission. She was that Siddiqa that except in
her bed sheet in none other's bed sheet (of other Mothers of the Momins)
Allah had ever sent His revelation. She was such beloved of the HOLY PROPHET
(Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) that if she did not accompany the HOLY PROPHET
(Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) in any journey then he used to remember her
saying "WA Urusa" (O'Bride).
She was that Siddiqa that for her amicable exoneration and proof of
her purity and chastity the verses of Quran had been revealed. Whereas
Ruhullah Kalmatullah (Spirit of Allah, the Word of Allah) had certified
the chastity of Hazrat Yusuf (Joseph) had witnessed a child of the people
of Zulekha and the chastity of Bibi Marium (Mary).
She was that Mother of the Momins that the HOLY PROPHET (Sall Allaho
Alaihe Wasallam) used to watch her while she used to drink water from the
pot and to note the spot from where she drank the water and thereafter
he used to put his lips at the very spot to quench his thirst.
Every body can consult his heart and imagine that in case any body humiliates
his mother or accuses her (of adultery) or rebukes her then how badly he
will feel and become hostile to such a person? No doubt he will become
bloodthirsty of such a culprit. Then how can it be that the Mothers of
the Momins be so disliked that even after reciting the Kalimah (The Word
of faith) and embracing Islam one can dare to taunt or accuse them and
still he claims to be a Muslim?
"There is no power and no force except of Allah, the Ali (Radi
Allaho Anho) (Exalted) Azeem (Great)".
As regards Hazrat Zubair and Hazrat Talha (Radi Allaho A'nhum) who happened
to be more superior/eminent to us being the members of Ashrah-e-Mubash-Sharah
the most pious ten companions of the HOLY PROPHET (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam).
Hazrat Zubair bin ul Awam (Radi Allaho Anho) was the son of the paternal
aunt of the HOLY PROPHET (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam), a comrade and an
assistant.
And Hazrat Talha (Radi Allaho Anho) stood like a shield to save the
Holy Countenance of the HOLY PROPHET (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) in the
true hour of need and Hazrat Moa'awiya (Radi Allaho Anho) was next in rank
to all others. He lagged behind Moula Ali (Radi Allaho Anho) in rank because
the latter was established on such elevated position and enjoyed such grandeur
that thousands of thousands of swift horses possessing the speed of lightning
would exhaust to cover the breach between his rank and that of Hazrat Moa'awiya
(Radi Allaho Anho) enjoyed such favour of companionship of the HOLY PROPHET
(Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) which can not be cursorily ignored. Therefore
we Muslims can not close our eyes to such facts and tolerate any humiliation
and condemnation of Hazrat Moa'awiya (Raid Allaho Anho). How can we Muslims
dare to think that whatever he did against Moula Ali (Radi Allaho Anho)
was merely due to his selfish motives. No faithful Muslim therefore can
even guess or imagine like that.
We are, on the other hand, by grace of Allah are the true bondmen of
the Household of the HOLY PROPHET (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) and regard
ourselves to be his hereditary servants; So for what reason do we Muslim
side Hazrat Moa'awiya (Radi Allaho Anho) unjustly against Hazrat Ali (Radi
Allaho Anho)? But for the sake of supporting the cause of Our HOLY PROPHET
(Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) and in the interest of truth we support and
favour him by exonerating him from any kind of accusation or rebuke.
We believed that our crown prince, the grandson of the HOLY PROPHET
(Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) Hazrat Imam Hassan (Radi Allaho Anho) laid
down arms deliberately during the battle and handed over the administration
of the country to Amir Moa'awiya (Radi Allaho Anho) and took the oath of
his allegiance because the period of 30 years of pious caliphate had ended
by the time Hazrat Imam Hassan (Radi Allaho Anho) completed six months
in the office of caliphate. So as inspired by a tiding of the HOLY PROPHET
(Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) Hazrat Hassan (Radi Allaho Anho) willingly
gave in to Hazrat Moa'awiya (Radi Allaho Anho) not because he was weak
but because it was according to the holy inspiration. Allah forbid it,
if Hazrat Moa'awiya (Radi Allaho Anho) would have been a disbeliever, disobedient,
sinner and tyrant or he would have been cruel usurper then how could a
man of the caliber and rank of Hazrat Imam Hassan (Radi Allaho Anho) could
hand over the administration of the Muslim empire to such a person on his
own accord and personal responsibility in the absence of any compulsion
whatsoever. Had he not paid any attention to the interest of the welfare
of Muslims and did something against the cause of Islam? Absolutely not.
If the period of pious caliphate had ended and Hazrat Imam Hassan (Radi
Allaho Anho) did not like to become a king himself then why he did not
select a person from Hijaz who possessed greater experience of administration
than him and took the oath of allegiance on his hand-Allah forbid it? The
fact was that it was according to the prophecy of the HOLY PROPHET (Sall
Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) who liked such an action and regarded it to be
a consequence of Siyadat (leadership) (As recorded in Sahi Al-Bukhari).
The truthful and the Affirmed, Our HOLY PROPHET (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam)
said about Hazrat Imam Hassan (Radi Allaho Anho):
"This son of mine is a Syed (leader), per adventure Allah shall
cause reconciliation between two big Muslim parties on his account".
According to verse of Quran Allah says:
"And We have dragged out malice (rancour) from their hearts which
they had between them in the worldly life and whatever strained relation
and animosities they had in their natures have been changed in friendship
and affection, and nothing except the love and liking (for each other)
remained among them."
And it is quoted as to have been said by Hazrat Ali Murtaza (Radi Allaho
Anho) that:
"If Allah so will I and Usman, Talha and Zubair are among those
about whom Allah said".
We longed for and mentioned for them.
After this instruction of Hazrat Moula Ali (Radi Allaho Anho) still
to blame Hazrat Talha and Hazrat Zubair (Radi Allaho A'nhum) is wrong saying
that their armed conflict with Hazrat Ali (Radi Allaho Anho) was a war
or an act against their common sense and wisdom. And it is also wrong to
think that it was a war against Moula Ali (Radi Allaho Anho) himself and
in fact a war against Allah and His HOLY PROPHET (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam)
as well. (Let Allah forbid us from making accusations). The pages of history
are evident that no sooner Hazrat Zubair (Radi Allaho Anho) realized his
mistake he withdrew from the war immediately. According to another tradition
Hazrat Talha (Radi Allaho Anho) took the oath of allegiance of Moula Ali
(Radi Allaho Anho) on a later date through some agency or an assistant.
And when the war of Jamal came to an end then Moula Ali (Radi Allaho Anho)
ordered Hazrat Muhammad bin Abu Bakr (Radi Allaho Anho) to go and see whether
by chance Bibi Ayesha (Radi Allaho Anha) had suffered any harm or injury.
And soon after this he called on Bibi Ayesha (Radi Allaho Anha) and inquired
"How are your?" To which Bibi Ayesha (Radi Allaho Anha) replied
"Praise is for Allah. I'm fine." And Moula Ali (Radi Allaho Anho)
said "Let Allah pardon you". Then Bibi Ayesha (Radi Allaho Anha)
remarked: "So you be (pardoned)".
After the burial of those who were killed in the battle Hazrat Moula
Ali (Radi Allaho Anho) arranged for the return of Bibi Siddiqa (Radi Allaho
Anha) to Hijaz with full honour and esteem under the supervision of Hazrat
Muhammad bin Abu Bakr (Radi Allaho Anho) accompanied by forty (40) respectable
ladies. Hazrat Ali (Radi Allaho Anho) himself accompanied her for a long
distance to see her off and Hazrat Imam Hassan (Radi Allaho Anho) went
alongwith her for several miles.
While going back Bibi Ayesha (Radi Allaho Anha) confessed before a crowd:
"I neither had any kind of resentment against Ali (Radi Allaho
Anho) before nor have it at present. However between son-in-law and mother-in-law
sometimes such things crop up which I do not deny".
Hearing this Hazrat Ali (Radi Allaho Anho) said:
"O people Bibi Hazrat Ayesha (Radi Allaho Anha) is telling the
truth I swear by Allah that our conflict is not more than that; come what
may. She is after all the wife of your HOLY PROPHET (Sall Allaho Alaihe
Wasallam) both in this world and also in Hereafter.
Allah, Allah, What a mutual affection and love and also esteem and respect
for each other actually existed between these truthful and pure friends!
And Lo! Some of our simpleton friends who are deprived of common sense
support Hazrat Ali (Radi Allaho Anho) by means of taunting and rebuking
the aforesaid people and regard this vicious practice to be a basis of
their religion. They think their resentment and enmity against these persons
is a proof of their affection and devotion towards Ali (Radi Allaho Anho).
And there is no power and no force except of Allah the Ali (Exalted):
We should remember that Allah is Azeem (Great). Therefore let the Muslims
of Sunni Sect refresh their faith and understand that if there existed
any kind of animosity and hatred in the hearts of Holy Companions (Radi
Allaho A'nhum) or if they had any ill intentions and any disorder or miscreancy
in their affairs then there would have been no meaning in the fact to remember
them by the words "Radi Allah A'nhum".
When we say, "Allah is pleased with them", it means that Allah
is pleased with their inner and outer intentions and their consciences.
In fact their manners and performances are laudable in the Divine presence
of Allah. Therefore Allah reveals: "But Allah has made faith to be
dear unto you and ordered it in your hearts and has made infidelity, and
non compliance of command and disobedience to be hateful.
So whomever disbelieves or says anything against it then he spoils his
faith and ruins his life in Hereafter (Let Allah forbid it).