Muawiya prepares his army Imam Hasan (as) is aware of the spy network and the infiltration into his army; he writes to Muawiya to stop this interference. Muawiya replies by saying that the office of Khalifa of the Muslims belongs to him and not Imam Hasan (as) as he (Imam Hasan (as)) is not suitable for this office. Muawiya writes to Imam Hasan (as) outlining his family genealogy and that he (Muawiya) is more suited to the office and that if Imam Hasan (as) does not step down, then Muawiya will assemble his Syrian army and do battle with Imam Hasan (as); the Syrian army is the best equipped and trained in the region at the time. Muawiya then writes to Imam Hasan (as) to come to some kind of agreement to avoid a war between the two armies (we see here that the idea of some kind of a peace agreement is initially suggested by Muawiya). Imam Hasan (as) replies by emphasizing his family genealogy and its services to Islam, and that he (Imam Hasan (as)) is better qualified than Muawiya to retain the office. There follows a series of correspondence between the two parties over a period of about five months in 40-41 AH (661 AD). Muawiya mobilizes his army of about sixty thousand soldiers to send to the open plains of Maskan (in present-day Iraq) which is a suitable base for such a huge army. As the direct route between Syria and Kufa is of unsuitable terrain for such a huge army, the army heads via Mousil in Iraq and then southwards towards Maskan. Muawiya instructs his commanders to proceed to Maskan slowly for three reasons. First, he wants to draw out Imam Hasan’s (as) army from Kufa and assess the strength of his army. Second, he wants to parade his superior and well equipped army as a show of strength and intimidate Imam Hasan (as) into submission. Third, he wants to make his intention to go to war known if Imam Hasan (as) chooses not to step down from the office.
Posted on: Mon, 02 Sep 2013 14:26:49 +0000
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