Chapter 10: Peace Deal with Mu’awiyah
Initial Measures of Al-Hasan ibn Ali:
When Al-Hasan ibn Ali began his role as Caliph, he organised government workers, appointed commanders, recruited troops and distributed stipends.
He increased the salaries of the army, giving each soldier an additional one hundred dirhams.
Although Al-Hasan could have chosen to fight Mu’awiyah, he was more concerned with a reconciliation to bring peace to the Ummah.
Desire For Reconciliation:
His main priority was to prevent bloodshed and unite the Muslim community.
Al-Hasan ibn Ali led the reconciliation of the Muslims, which ultimately resulted in the Ummah being united once again.
Al-Hasan ibn Ali once said: The skulls of the Arabs were in my hand, fighting whomever I fought and making peace with whomever I made peace with.
Ibn Taymiyyah said: Al-Hasan could have fought Mu’awiyah with the support of those who were with him, even if they were fewer than those who were with Mu’awiyah, like any group who fought their opponents despite the small number of helpers and supporters they had. However, Al-Hasan was a man of high calibre who was inclined towards peace and who hated turmoil and division. Allah made him a means to put an end to internal fighting and to unite the Ummah.
Al-Hasan had a clear vision for reconciliation, and this became one of his greatest achievements.
The Prophet’s Words:
This action of Al-Hasan was foretold by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, as previously mentioned in the narration of Abu Bakrah where he said: I heard the Prophet when he was on a pulpit with Al-Hasan. He said: This son of mine is a sayyid, and perhaps through him Allah will reconcile two groups of Muslims. (Bukhari)
Al-Hasan’s peace treaty with Mu’awiyah is one of the most significant events in the history of the Muslim Ummah.
This is because, not only was it prophesied by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, but it prevented Muslim bloodshed and it united the Muslims behind one leader after years of conflict.
Goal to Avoid Bloodshed:
Al-Hasan ibn Ali reconciled with Mu’awiyah at a time when he was surrounded by thousands of loyal supporters. He did not want a single drop of blood to be shed or for any Muslim to be harmed in the slightest because of his actions and he had no desire for worldly benefit, power or leadership.
Al-Hasan ibn Ali was focused on the Hereafter and wanted to preserve the unity of the Ummah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Al-Hasan al-Basri said: When Al-Hasan became Caliph, not even the slightest amount of blood was shed because of him.