Part 12
Written by: Bahanad
After the large-scale riots initiated by the Kharijites, Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) summoned his army from other cities to put an end to this turmoil and set out towards the Kharijites with them.
Upon arriving there, Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) sent the first message to the Kharijites, asking them to hand over those who had martyred Muslims and caused the turmoil. However, the response given to Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) by the Kharijites was shocking.
This was because the Kharijites said, «Your blood is halal for us, and we are all involved in your killing.»
The second time, Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), along with Qais bin Sa’d and Abu Ayyub Ansari (may Allah be pleased with them), personally called them face to face and advised them to end this rebellion.
However, the leaders of the Kharijites shouted to their army not to listen to their words, to organize their ranks, to present their souls for meeting with the Lord Almighty, and to advance towards the heavens.
When Hazrat Ali’s (may Allah be pleased with him) effort in this invitation also yielded no result, he began to organize his army.
He appointed Abu Qatada, Hujr bin Adi, Shabith bin Rabi’i, Ma’qil bin Qais, and Abu Ayyub Ansari (may Allah be pleased with them) as commanders of the army and instructed them not to initiate the attack.
Along with this, he also announced that anyone from the Kharijites who came towards the flag would be granted safety, and anyone who went towards Mada’in and Kufa would also be granted safety.
With this announcement, many people separated from the ranks of the Kharijites and withdrew from the battle.
The remaining people initiated the attack, and the counterattack by Hazrat Ali’s (may Allah be pleased with him) army quickly brought the group of Kharijites to their end. All those who participated in the battle met their fate.
قبحھم اللہ تعالیٰ
