Part 11
Written by: Bahanad
Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) made a final attempt to steer the Kharijites away from their misguided beliefs.
In his endeavor, he dispatched a letter to them, outlining the plan to mobilize the army the following Monday and persevere in the struggle to eradicate the true adversary. He extended an invitation for them to unite with the cause.
Regrettably, the response from the Kharijites remained brazen and impolite, in keeping with their previous behavior. They conveyed their message to him:
If you consider yourself an infidel (Nauzubillah) based on your past actions and repent to the Lord, then we will accept continuing jihad with you. But if you do not acknowledge this, then know that Allah’s command is:
‘ان اللہ لا یحب الخائنین
Translation:
(Indeed, Allah does not like traitors).
Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) was then convinced that these individuals were beyond reform. Consequently, he opted to disassociate himself from them and redirect his energies towards combating the true adversary, in order to perpetuate his conquests and expand the Islamic Caliphate.
As preparations were being made to depart Kufa with his forces, sudden reports surfaced that the Kharijites had brutally martyred Abdullah bin Khabbab (may Allah be pleased with him) and his pregnant wife. Moreover, the Kharijites had initiated widespread havoc, resulting in the jeopardy of individuals’ possessions, lives, and dignity.
Upon hearing this, people advised Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) that if they went out to confront the infidels, everything here would be at the mercy of these troublemakers. Therefore, they urged that action should be taken against them as soon as possible.
Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) dispatched Harb bin Murra Al-Abdi to the Kharijites for the purpose of revisiting their demands.Tragically, the Kharijites martyred him and instigated a conflict.
Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) abandoned his intention to go beyond Sham (Syria) to wage jihad against the infidels, and in this, there was great wisdom from Allah (SWT).
To be continued…
