Ali [BATTLE OF SIFFIN] Flashcards
Why did Muawiya refuse to recognize Ali as Khalifa?
- Muawiya refused to recognize Ali because Ali had deposed him as governor of Syria.
- Under his influence, no one in Syria took the oath of allegiance to Ali.
How did Muawiya justify his opposition to Ali?
Muawiya accused Ali of being an associate in the murder of Hazrat Usman and displayed Usman’s blood-stained clothes and the severed fingers of his wife Naila in the mosque in Damascus.
What claim did Muawiya make about Ali’s election as Khalifa?
Muawiya claimed Ali’s election was illegal because it happened under pressure from the rebels who had assassinated the third Caliph, Hazrat Usman
How did Muawiya use the Battle of Camel to gain support?
Muawiya presented Talha and Zubair as martyrs who had died seeking revenge for Usman’s murder and criticized Ali for his treatment of Hazrat Aisha.
What was the impact of Muawiya’s propaganda?
His propaganda won over Syria, Iraq, and Iran, strengthening his position against Ali.
How did Ali attempt to avoid war with Muawiya?
- Ali wrote to Muawiya, reminding him that the same people who had elected Abu Bakr, Umar, and Usman had chosen him, so Muawiya should accept his leadership.
What was Muawiya’s condition for accepting Ali as Khalifa?
Muawiya demanded that Ali hand over Usman’s assassins before any negotiations
What were the sizes of the armies of Ali and Muawiya at the Battle of Siffin?
- Ali’s army had 80,000 to 90,000 soldiers
- while Muawiya’s army had 50,000 soldiers.
Where did the armies of Ali and Muawiya meet for battle?
Both of the armies met at Siffin
How long did the armies remain at Siffin before full battle broke out?
- They faced each other for several months with only occasional skirmishes.
What was Ali’s final attempt to avoid war?
Ali sent messengers urging Muawiya to submit for the unity of Islam, but Muawiya insisted that Usman’s killers be punished first.
When did the main battle of Siffin begin?
the main battle of Siffin began on the 8th Safar 37 A.H.
What strategy did Muawiya use when his army started losing?
Muawiya, when his army started losing, on the advice of Amr bin Aas, ordered soldiers to fasten pages of the Quran to their lances and call for arbitration, saying:
- “Let the word of Allah decide between us and you.
- Who will defend the border towns of Syria if we are slain,
- and who will protect the people of Iraq after you are gone?
- Let the Book of Allah judge between you and us.”
How did Ali’s army react to Muawiya’s tactic of raising the Quran?
- Many of Ali’s soldiers refused to fight and threatened to rebel if the war continued, forcing Ali to halt the battle.
What was the outcome of the Battle of Siffin?
- Fighting stopped, and both sides agreed to arbitration to be conducted under the Quran and Sunnah.
Who were the arbitrators appointed to resolve the dispute?
The arbitrators that were appointed to resolve the dispute were:
- Abu Musa Ashari (for Ali)
- Amr bin Aas (for Muawiya)
When was the arbitration decision expected?
The arbitration decision was expected during the month of Ramadhan
What was the impact of the Battle of Siffin on Ali?
- Ali mourned the loss of many Muslims and felt distressed that within one generation after the Prophet (PBUH), the Muslim nation had lost its unity and Islamic character.
What was the long-term consequence of the Battle of Siffin?
The long-term consequence of the Battle of Siffin was that it led to the emergence of the Kharijites, the first sect of Islam.
