Chapter 17: Reuniting the Ummah
Protecting Muslims from Bloodshed:
Al-Hasan ibn Ali said: I was afraid on the Day of Judgement that seventy or eighty thousand would come, with their veins gushing blood, seeking vengeance from Allah and asking why their blood was shed. (Ibn Kathir)
Al-Hasan also said: The decree of Allah will inevitably come to pass even though the people dislike it. I would not want to be appointed to a position of authority over a mustard seed’s worth of the Ummah of Muhammad. If a drop of blood were shed because of that, I know what is good for me and what is bad for me. Disperse and go back home.
In the sermon in which he handed over the Caliphate to Mu’awiyah, Al-Hasan said: It is my right, but I have given it up to Mu’awiyah, seeking reconciliation among this Ummah and to spare them from bloodshed. (At-Tabarani)
Al-Hasan chose to protect the Muslims from bloodshed, even if it meant relinquishing the Caliphate, because he wanted to get closer to Allah SWT.
He also feared that he would be held accountable before Allah SWT on the Day of Resurrection for any blood that might have been shed.
Abdullah ibn Mas’ud narrated that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: The first matter that will be settled among the people will be bloodshed. (Bukhari)
Al-Hasan’s Eagerness to Unite the Ummah:
In one of the stages of the peace process, Al-Hasan ibn Ali addressed the people and said: O people, I have decided not to bear grudges against any Muslim. I care for you as I care for myself, and I have made a decision. Do not reject my decision, for what you dislike about reconciliation and unity is better than what you like of division.
Al-Hasan’s primary aim was the unity of the Ummah and for this exact reason, he chose to give up the Caliphate so that the Muslims’ blood would not be shed.
In doing so, Al-Hasan ibn Ali followed the teachings of the Quran:
‘And hold fast all of you together to the rope of Allah (this Quran), and be not divided among yourselves. Remember Allah’s favour on you, for you were enemies one to another, but He joined your hearts together so that by His grace, you became brethren. You were on the brink of a pit of fire, and He saved you from it’. (Quran, 3:103)