BATTLES - INFIGHTING

 SIFFIN

Companion’s Aversion to Infighting amongst Muslims

Hudybia Treaty mentioned & Peace efforts by Ibn Umar

Bukhari Volume 5, Book 64, Number 4189:

Narrated Abu Wail:

When Sahl bin Hunaif returned from (the battle of) Siffin, we went to ask him (as to why he had come back). He replied, "(You should not consider me a coward) but blame your opinions. I saw myself on the day of Abu Jandal (inclined to fight), and if I had the power of refusing the order of Allah's Apostle (s) then, I would have refused it (and fought the infidels bravely). Allah and His Apostle (s) know (what is convenient) better. Whenever we put our swords on our shoulders for any matter that terrified us, our swords led us to an easy agreeable solution before the present situation (of disagreement and dispute between the Muslims). When we mend the breach in one side, it opened in another, and we do not know what to do about it."

Translator’s note;

1. Battle of Siffin was a battle between 'Ali and Mu'awiya.

2. They blamed Sahl for not fighting properly in that battle, but he blamed them for fighting their Muslim brethren.

3. During the peace treaty of A1-Hudaibiya, Abu Jandal, a new convert, sought refuge with the Prophet (s) from the infidels who had persecuted him, but the Prophet (s) abiding by the conditions of the Treaty, returned him to the infidels. The Companions of the Prophet (s) wished that he had not returned him and were prepared to fight the infidels.

Bukhari Volume 5, Book 64, Number 4108:

Narrated Ikrima bin Khalid:

Ibn 'Umar said, "I went to Hafsa while water was dribbling from her twined braids. I said, 'The condition of the people is as you see, and no authority has been given to me.' Hafsa said, (to me), 'Go to them, and as they (i.e. the people) are waiting for you, and I am afraid your absence from them will produce division amongst them.' “So Hafsa did not leave Ibn 'Umar till we went to them. When the people differed, Muawiya addressed the people saying, "'If anybody wants to say anything in this matter of the Caliphate, he should show up and not conceal himself, for we are more rightful to be a Caliph than he and his father." On that, Habib bin Masalama said (to Ibn 'Umar), "Why don't you reply to him (i.e. Muawiya)?" 'Abdullah bin 'Umar said, "I untied my garment that was going round my back and legs while I was sitting and was about to say, 'He who fought against you and against your father for the sake of Islam, is more rightful to be a Caliph,' but I was afraid that my statement might produce differences amongst the people and cause bloodshed, and my statement might be interpreted not as I intended. (So I kept quiet) remembering what Allah has prepared in the Gardens of Paradise (for those who are patient and prefer the Hereafter to this worldly life)." Habib said, "You did what kept you safe and secure (i.e. you were wise in doing so)."

(5) CHAPTER. The Statement of Allah; "...When they gave their Baia (pledge) to you (0’ Muhammad) under the tree..." (V.48:18)

Bukhari Volume 6, Book 65, Number 4844:

Narrated Habib bin Abi Thabit:

I went to Abu Wail to ask him (about those who had rebelled against 'Ali). On that Abu Wail said, "We were at Siffin (a city on the bank of the Euphrates, the place where the battle took place between 'Ali and Muawiya) A man said, "Will you be on the side of those who are called to consult Allah's Book (to settle the dispute)?" 'Ali said, 'Yes (I agree that we should settle the matter in the light of the Qur'an)." ‘Some people objected to 'Ali's agreement and wanted to fight. On that Sahl bin Hunaif said, 'Blame your own selves! I remember how, on the day of Al-Hudaibiya (i.e. the peace treaty between the Prophet and the Quraish pagans), if we had been allowed to choose fighting, we would have fought (the pagans). At that time 'Umar came (to the Prophet) and said, "Aren't we on the right (path) and they (pagans) in the wrong? Won't our killed persons go to Paradise and theirs in the Fire?" The Prophet replied, "Yes." Umar further said, "Then why should we let our religion be degraded and return before Allah has settled the matter between us?" The Prophet said, "O the son of Al-Khattab! No doubt, I am Allah's Apostle and Allah will never neglect me." So Umar left the place angrily and he was so impatient that he went to Abu Bakr and said, "O Abu Bakr! Aren't we on the right (path) and they the (pagans) on the wrong?" Abu Bakr said, "O the son of Al-Khattab! He is Allah's Apostle, and Allah will never neglect him." Then Sura Al-Fath (The Victory) was revealed."

Companion’s Differences to join SIFFIN
Battle between Ali and Muawiya

Bukhari Volume 9, Book 92, Number 7110:

Narrated Harmala:

(Usama's Maula) Usama (bin Zaid) sent me to 'Ali (at Kufa) and said, "'Ali will ask you, 'What has prevented your companion from joining me?' You then should say to him, 'If you ('Ali) were in the mouth of a lion, I would like to be with you, but in this matter I won't take any part.' “Harmala added: "'Ali didn't give me anything (when I conveyed the message to him) so I went to Hasan, Hussain and Ibn Ja'far and they loaded my camels with much (wealth)."

Bukhari Volume 9, Book 96, Number 7308:

Narrated Al-A'mash:

I asked Abu Wail, "Did you witness the battle of Siffin between 'Ali and Muawiya?" He said, "Yes," and added, "Then I heard Sahl bin Hunaif saying, 'O people! Blame your personal opinions in your religion. No doubt, I remember myself on the day of Abi Jandal; if I had the power to refuse the order of Allah's Apostle, I would have refused it. (Note 1)

We have never put our swords on our shoulders to get involved in a situation that might have been horrible for us, but those swords brought us to victory and peace, except this present situation.' "Abu Wail said, "I witnessed the battle of Siffin, and how nasty Siffin was!"

Translator’s Note 1: SahI and the other Companions of the Prophet (s) obeyed the Prophet (s) regarding the conclusion of the Hudybia Treaty with Al-Mushrikun, although some of them thought that it was not in the favor of the Muslims. Thus, one should not follow one's own opinion if it disagrees with that of the Prophet (s)

Bukhari Volume 4, Book 58, Number 3181:

Narrated Al-Amash:

I asked Abu Wail, "Did you take part in the battle of Siffin?" He said, 'Yes, and I heard Sahl bin Hunaif (when he was blamed for lack of zeal for fighting) saying, "You'd better blame your wrong opinions. I wish you had seen me on the day of Abu Jandal. If I had the courage to disobey the Prophet's orders, I would have done so. We had kept out swords on our necks and shoulders, for a thing which frightened us. And we did so; we found it easier for us, except in the case of the above battle (of ours).' "

Bukhari Volume 5, Book 64, Number 4189:

Narrated Abu Wail:

When Sahl bin Hunaif returned from (the battle of) Siffin, we went to ask him (as to why he had come back). He replied, "(You should not consider me a coward) but blame your opinions. I saw myself on the day of Abu Jandal (inclined to fight), and if I had the power of refusing the order of Allah's Apostle then, I would have refused it (and fought the infidels bravely). Allah and His Apostle know (what is convenient) better. Whenever we put our swords on our shoulders for any matter that terrified us, our swords led us to an easy agreeable solution before the present situation (of disagreement and dispute between the Muslims). When we mend the breach in one side, it opened in another, and we do not know what to do about it."

Translator’s note;

1. Battle of Siffin was a battle between 'Ali and Mu'awiya.
2. They blamed Sahl for not fighting properly in that battle, but he blamed them for fighting their Muslim brethren.
3. During the peace treaty of A1-Hudaibiya, Abu Jandal, a new convert, sought refuge with the Prophet (s) from the infidels who had persecuted him but the Prophet (s) abiding by the conditions of the Treaty, returned him to the infidels. The Companions of the Prophet (s) wished that he had not returned him and prepared to fight the infidels.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Companions were truly reluctant to fight against Muslim brother and exercised constraint as far as possible though they were really sad about making truce with infidel Quraysh, known as Treaty of Hudybia. 

Kharijites revolt in Basra

Bukhari Volume 9, Book 92, Number 7112:

Narrated Abu Al-Minhal:

When Ibn Ziyad and Marwan were in Sham and Ibn Az-Zubair took over the authority in Mecca and Qurra' (the Kharijites) [Note] revolted in Basra, I went out with my father to Abu Barza Al-Aslami till we entered upon him in his house while he was sitting in the shade of a room built of cane. We sat with him and my father started talking to him saying, "O Abu Barza! Don't you see in what dilemma the people has fallen?" The first thing heard him saying "I seek reward from Allah for myself because of being angry and scornful at the Quraish tribe. O you Arabs! You know very well that you were in misery and were few in number and misguided, and that Allah has brought you out of all that with Islam and with Muhammad till He brought you to this state (of prosperity and happiness) which you see now; and it is this worldly wealth and pleasures which has caused mischief to appear among you. The one who is in Sham (i.e., Marwan), by Allah, is not fighting except for the sake of worldly gain: and those who are among you, by Allah, are not fighting except for the sake of worldly gain; and that one who is in Mecca (i.e., Ibn Az-Zubair) by Allah, is not fighting except for the sake of worldly gain."

Translator’s Note: Kharijites The people who dissented from the religion and disagreed with rest of the Muslims.

Ali wanted avoid bloodshed stop the battle & consult Quran

Bukhari Volume 6, Book 65, Number 4844:

Narrated Habib bin Abi Thabit:

I went to Abu Wail to ask him (about those who had rebelled against 'Ali). On that Abu Wail said, "We were at Siffin (a city on the bank of the Euphrates, the place where the battle took place between 'Ali and Muawiya) A man said, "Will you be on the side of those who are called to consult Allah's Book (to settle the dispute)?" 'Ali said, 'Yes (I agree that we should settle the matter in the light of the Qur'an)." ‘Some people objected to 'Ali's agreement and wanted to fight. On that Sahl bin Hunaif said, 'Blame yourselves! I remember how, on the day of Al-Hudaibiya (i.e. the peace treaty between the Prophet and the Quraish pagans), if we had been allowed to choose fighting, we would have fought (the pagans). At that time 'Umar came (to the Prophet) and said, "Aren't we on the right (path) and they (pagans) in the wrong? Won't our killed persons go to Paradise and theirs in the Fire?" The Prophet replied, "Yes." Umar further said, "Then why should we let our religion be degraded and return before Allah has settled the matter between us?" The Prophet said, "O the son of Al-Khattab! No doubt, I am Allah's Apostle and Allah will never neglect me." So Umar left the place angrily and he was so impatient that he went to Abu Bakr and said, "O Abu Bakr! Aren't we on the right (path) and they the (pagans) on the wrong?" Abu Bakr said, "O the son of Al-Khattab! He is Allah's Apostle, and Allah will never neglect him." Then Surah Al-Fath (The Victory) was revealed."

Hassan Bin Ali & peace efforts predicted by Prophet 

Bukhari Volume 4, Book 58, Number 3181:

Narrated Al-Amash:

I asked Abu Wail, "Did you take part in the battle of Siffin?" He said, 'Yes, and I heard Sahl bin Hunaif (when he was blamed for lack of zeal for fighting) saying, "You'd better blame your wrong opinions. I wish you had seen me on the day of Abu Jandal. If I had the courage to disobey the Prophet's orders, I would have done so. We had kept out swords on our necks and shoulders, for a thing which frightened us. And we did so; we found it easier for us, except in the case of the above battle (of ours).' "

Bukhari Volume 5, Book 64, Number 4189:

Narrated Abu Wail:

When Sahl bin Hunaif returned from (the battle of) Siffin, we went to ask him (as to why he had come back). He replied, "(You should not consider me a coward) but blame your opinions. I saw myself on the day of Abu Jandal (inclined to fight), and if I had the power of refusing the order of Allah's Apostle then, I would have refused it (and fought the infidels bravely). Allah and His Apostle know (what is convenient) better. Whenever we put our swords on our shoulders for any matter that terrified us, our swords led us to an easy agreeable solution before the present situation (of disagreement and dispute between the Muslims). When we mend the breach in one side, it opened in another, and we do not know what to do about it."

Translator’s note;

1. Battle of Siffin was a battle between 'All and Muawiya.

2. They blamed Sahl for not fighting properly in that battle, but he blamed them for fighting their Muslim brethren.

3. During the peace treaty of A1-Hudaibiya, Abu Jandal, a new convert, sought refuge with the Prophet (s) from the infidels who had persecuted him. But the Prophet (s) abiding by the conditions of the Treaty, returned him to the infidels. The Companions of the Prophet (s) wished that he had not returned him and prepared to fight the infidels.

Bukhari Volume 9, Book 92, Number 7109:

(20) CHAPTER. The statement of the Prophet (s) about Al-Hasan bin 'Ali, "This son of mine is a chief, and Allah may make peace between two groups of Muslims through him." And the Statement of Allah; "... Then make peace between them both.. ." (49:9)

Narrated Al-Hasan Al-Basri:

When Al-Hasan bin 'Ali moved with army units against Muawiya; 'Amr bin Al-Aas said to Muawiya. "I see an army that will not retreat unless and until the opposing army retreats." Muawiya said, "(If the Muslims are killed) who will look after their children?" 'Amr bin Al-As said: I (will look after them). On that, 'Abdullah bin 'Amir and 'Abdur-Rahman bin Samura said, "Let us meet Muawiya and suggest peace." Al-Hasan Al-Basri added: No doubt, I heard that Abu Bakra said, "Once while the Prophet was addressing (the people), Al-Hasan (bin 'Ali) came and the Prophet (s) said, 'this son of mine is a (Sayed) chief, and Allah may make peace between two groups of Muslims through him."

Bukhari Volume 9, Book 92, Number 7110:

Narrated Harmala:

(Usama's Maula) Usama (bin Zaid) sent me to 'Ali (at Kufa) and said, "'Ali will ask you, 'What has prevented your companion from joining me?' You then should say to him, 'If you ('Ali) were in the mouth of a lion, I would like to be with you, but in this matter I won't take any part.' “Harmala added: "'Ali didn't give me anything (when I conveyed the message to him) so I went to Hasan, Hussain and Ibn Ja'far and they loaded my camels with much (wealth)."