Bahanad
The intention of the Kharijites towards Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) was malicious, as they sought an opportunity to accuse Hazrat Ali and, in accordance with their custom, rebel against another caliph.
During the Battle of Siffin, which took place in 36-37 AH, the Kharijites found an excuse, which was that Muʿāwiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) raised the Qur’an and demanded from Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) that the war should now come to an end.
The Kharijites immediately threatened Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) to accept the request of the Syrians; otherwise, they would do to him what they had done to Hazrat Uthman (may Allah be pleased with).
Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) accepted this due to political expediency.
When this excuse slipped from their hands, the issue of arbitration arose, and Amr ibn al-As (may Allah be pleased with him) and Abu Musa al-Ash’ari (may Allah be pleased with him) were appointed as arbitrators.
The Kharijites took advantage of the situation and raised the objection that «The decision belongs to Allah alone»; arguing how they can leave this decision upto Humans
Furthermore, the Kharijites issued a fatwa of disbelief against Hazrat Ali, Hazrat Muʿāwiyah, and other senior companions (may Allah be pleased with them) and declared them deserving of death (God Forbid).
Twelve thousand people separated from Hazrat Ali’s (may Allah be pleased with him) ranks and rebelled at such a critical juncture when many Muslims had already been martyred in this war, and people were saying, «Now where will we find people to defend the borders and for jihad?»
And this group, which did not accept the arbitration, raised the slogan «The decision belongs to Allah alone» to incite chaos and discord and to foster hatred among people against Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him).
For this reason, Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) stated that the slogan itself is good, however they are misusing it to sow discord.
To be continued…
