Chapter 13: Decision to Step Down
Al-Hasan’s Decision to Step Down as the Caliph:
Abdullah ibn Ja’far, the cousin of Al-Hasan ibn Ali, said: By Allah, while I was sitting with Al-Hasan and wanted to stand up, he pulled my garment and said: Sit down.
Abdullah ibn Ja’far then sat down and Al-Hasan said: I have decided something, and I want you to join me in it. Abdullah ibn Ja’far asked: What is it?
Al-Hasan said: I have decided to go to Madinah and stay there, and let Mu’awiyah take charge. This turmoil has gone on for too long and too much blood has been shed. Ties of kinship have been broken, roads have become unsafe and borders have been neglected.
Abdullah ibn Ja’far replied: May Allah reward you with good on behalf of the Ummah of Muhammad. I am with you on this matter.
Abdullah ibn Ja’far reported that Al-Hasan then said: Call Al-Husayn for me!
Al-Husayn then came to Al-Hasan, who said: O my brother, I have decided something and I would like for you to join me in it. Al-Husayn asked: What is it?
Al-Hasan ibn Abi Talib repeated what he had previously told Abdullah ibn Ja’far.
Al-Husayn replied: Allah forbid that you should reject Ali in his grave and accept Mu’awiyah!
Al-Hasan said: By Allah, I never decided anything but you differed from me. By Allah, I thought of throwing you in a house and locking the door until I finish what I want to do!
When Al-Husayn realised how angry his brother was, he said: you are the oldest son of Ali and you are his successor, so we will follow you. Do as you see fit!
Who Initiated the Peace Process, Al-Hasan or Mu’awiyah?
Both Al-Hasan ibn Ali and Mu’awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan wanted to resolve their issues with peace.
Al-Hasan wanted reconciliation and had this intention from the moment he accepted the pledge of allegiance from the residents of Iraq.
On the other hand, Mu’awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan also agreed to establishing a peace treaty.
However, it was Al-Hasan who played the more significant role in making the reconciliation actually happen.