THE ZENITH OF HUMANITY

Abu Sufiyan was the father of Muawiya. Abu Sufiyan led the majority of wars by the Polytheists of Makkah against the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.). The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) had to leave his place of birth-Makkah- to avert an imminent attack by the polytheists of Makkah, lead by Abu Sufiyan, on the eve of the Migration to Madinah. All the wars of defense were fought by the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) when he was in Madinah.

When the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) re-entered Makkah without any bloodshed, rightly called “Victory of Makkah”, the Polytheists reluctantly and outwardly accepted Islam so as to deceive the Muslims. They had witnessed that war-mongering did not pay off and the saw the Divine assistance was all along on the side of Muslims. As a last resort, they encouraged each other to enter the ranks of Muslims secretly keeping their hatred for Islam and Muslims.

When the “Lion of God”, the Commander of the Believers, the Infallible Imam Ali (a.s.) was stormed in his house and the multitude of disheartened Muslims pleaded him to accept the potent Khilafah, he reluctantly accepted to lead the Muslims. At that time, Muawiya was the governor of Syria, called Shaam”. He openly rebelled against the elected Khalifa, Imam Ali (a.s.). He falsely accused Imam Ali (a.s.) for the murder of the third caliph Usman son of Iffan and managed to gather 120,000 people to fight Imam Ali (a.s.). Muawiyah was a clever man. He used the force of false and baseless propaganda against Imam Ali (a.s.) and hypnotized the Shaamis in such a way that when the news of the martyrdom of Imam Ali (a.s.) in the mosque reached Shaam, people inquired if Imam Ali (a.s.) even read prayers!

Muawiya’s 120,000 men confronted Imam Ali (a.s.)’s army consisting of about 60,000 Muslims. The opposing armies gathered at the place called Siffeen in Iraq. Muawiya’s forces captured the banks of River Euphrates and refused to allow Imam Ali (a.s.)’s forces to take water. Imam Ali (a.s.), the symbol of peace and humanity, always believed in dialogue and used force only if attacked; never initiated any assault. He sent his representatives to allow every human being the basic right to access the free supply of water. But Muawiya wanted to use water as a weapon and wished to let Imam Ali (a.s.)’s army perish thirsty without fighting with sword. A cowardly and inhuman act! Ultimately, Imam Ali (a.s.)’s army attacked the water front and routed the Shaami forces and captured the river banks. The King of Martyrs Infallible Imam Husayn (a.s.) and the Commander Abbas son of Imam Ali (a.s.) were among the forces who captured the river Euphrates. Incidentally, after 25 years, Mauwiyah’s unlawfully appointed son Yazid played the same trick with Imam Husayn (a.s.) in Karbala where Imam Husayn (a.s.) and his 72 truthful  warriors were mercilessly deprived of water for 3 days and slaughtered them including an infant of 6 months Ali al-Asghar.

After the recapture of the water banks, the people in “Saqi-e-Kausar” Imam Ali (a.s.)’s army suggested the Imam to use the water weapon the same way as Muawiya planned to annihilate the Muslims. But the Tower of Humanity, the Divine Representative of Allah, the Conqueror of Khyber, the Self (Nafs) of Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.), the Spouse of the Lady of Paradise, Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) refused to return evil with evil and declared: “The river belong to God. There is no embargo of water on anyone. God has given you victory because of their injustice and aggression. Certainly the issue is more important than depriving them of water.” Imam Ali (a.s.) sent a message to Muawiya: “We shall not treat you as you treated us. Come to the water, we are equal!”