Stories of the Salaf
Salam Alaykum warahmatullah, this is a continuation of last weeks story on Abu Musa, in order for us to know what happened during the adjudication that took place and complete the story of Abu Musa.
Adjudication nonetheless began with Abu Musa representing the side of ‘Ali and ‘Amr ibn al-‘Aas representing the side of Muawiyah. A possible version of their historic conversation has been recorded in the book “Al-Akhbar at-Tiwal” by Abu Hanifah Ad-Daynawawi as follows:
Abu Musa:
O Amr, what do you think of this suggestion in which there is the common good of the ummah and the pleasure of Allah?
Amr: What is it?
Abu Musa:
Let us nominate ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar as Khalifah. He himself has not intervened at all in this war.
Amr: What do you think of Muawiyah for the position?
Abu Musa:
It is neither opportune to have Muawiyah in this position nor does he deserve it.
Amr: Don’t you know that ‘Uthman was unjustly murdered?
Abu Musa:
Certainly.
Amr: And that his status among the Quraysh you know (is one of honor), and that Muawiyah is the wali of the blood of Uthman…. And God says in the Quran: “Whoever is killed unjustly, We have given his heir authority….” (The full verse of the Quran is: {Nor take life which God has made sacred except for a just cause. And if anyone is slain wrongfully, We have given his heir authority (to demand Qisas or to forgive). But let him not exceed bounds in the matter of taking life; for he is helped by the Law} Surah 17, verse 33 .) In addition to this he is the brother of Umm Habibah, the wife of the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, and he is one of his companions.
Abu Musa:
Fear God, O Amr.. Regarding what you have mentioned about the status of Muawiyah, if the position of the Khalifah is based on status, the person most deserving of it is “Abrahah ibn Sabbah”. He is a descendant of Yemeni kings whose domain extended to the east and the west. And what status has Muawiyah in comparison with ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib? Regarding your statement that Muawiyah is the wali of Uthman, the person who has the first right to this is his son, ‘Amr ibn Uthman. However, if you agree with me, we could revert to the memory of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab and appoint his son ‘Abdullah, the pious one.
Amr: What prevents you from appointing my son ‘Abdullah he is virtuous, upright, one of those who were first to perform the Hijrah and who has been a long-standing companion of the Prophet.
Abu Musa:
Your son is a man of honesty and truth. But you have plunged him deeply into these wars. Come let us appoint the Good One, the son of the Good One – ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar.
Amr: O Abu Musa! The only person who can set this matter aright is a man who has two wisdom teeth who eats with one and feeds with the other (referring to the political astuteness of Muawiyah).
Abu Musa:
Woe to you, O ‘Amr. The Muslims are depending on us to solve this matter. They have fought with swords and spears. Let us not return them to a state of fitnah (trial).
Amr: What are you suggesting then?
Abu Musa:
I suggest that we leave the two men-‘Ali and Muawiyah. Then we set up a shura (council) among Muslims to let them choose from among themselves whoever they like.
Amr: I agree to this suggestion for indeed the common good of the people rests in it.
The above exchange shows Abu Musa to be a man of integrity and intelligence. He showed up the weakness of ‘Amr’s claims for Muawiyah to be the Caliph of the Muslims on the grounds of honor and status and on the grounds that he was the ‘heir’ to ‘Uthman.
By his suggestion that the son of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab be appointed as Khalifah, Abu Musa showed that he was not prepared to stick uncompromisingly to the side he represented and that he was willing to consider an appropriate companion of the Prophet as an alternative, for the good of the Muslim community.
‘Amr finally agreed on Abu Musa’s suggestion for a shura and for letting the Muslims decide freely whom they should have as Khalifah. It did not occur to Abu Musa that ‘Amr would not honor the agreement they had come to and that he would resort to deceit.
Before the agreement was announced in public, Ibn’ Abbas warned Abu Musa saying,
“I fear, by God, that ‘Amr might deceive you. If you have both agreed on something, then let him announce it before you…”
Abu Musa, because of the gravity of the situation, felt that ‘Amr would honor the agreement. On the following day, before the assembled Muslims, Abu Musa and ‘Amr got together. Abu Musa is said to have invited ‘Amr to speak first but he declined saying, “I would not go before you for you are more honoured than I am, you performed the Hijrah before I did and you are older than I.” With this Abu Musa advanced and spoke:
“O people! We have considered how best God would bring together the Ummah for their common good. It seems to us that the best solution in this regard is that the two men ‘Ali and Muawiyah should withdraw and that a shura should be formed so that people could choose for themselves who they want as the Khalifah.
I have agreed that Ali and Muawiyah should withdraw. You now deal with the situation and appoint as you Khalifah whoever you want.”
It was now Amr’s turn to make the same announcement. He got up and addressed the people, “O People! Abu Musa has said what you have heard. He has abandoned his friend (‘Ali). Like him I abandon his friend (‘Ali) and I confirm my friend Muawiyah (as Khalifah) for he is the heir to the Amir al-Muminin, ‘Uthman, and the one most deserves his position.”
Abu Musa was shocked by what he heard. He could not imagine that ‘Amr would commit such treachery even though he was warned about it. Filled with anger and disgust, he lambasted ‘Amr for his deceit and for ruining the chances of peace and reconciliation among Muslims. ‘Amr had thus turned the arbitration process into a farce.
kabahgraphicAbu Musa continued to remain neutral in the conflict which was ended by ‘Ali when he made a treaty with Muawiyah confirming him as the one responsible for governing Syria and Egypt.
Abu Musa himself left for Makkah and spent the rest of his life near the Sacred Mosque. During his life he had remained devoted to the noble Prophet and his righteous successors. During the life of the Prophet, the Prophet had appointed him and Mu’aadh ibn Jabal as governor of Kufah.
Abu Musa was particularly attached to the Quran, reading it constantly, memorizing it, understanding it and putting it into practice. His advice regarding the Quran is full of wisdom,
“Follow the Quran,” he said, “and do not desire that the Quran should follow you.”
In ‘ibaadah (worship), he showed a great deal of strength and endurance. On days when the heat was intense and almost unbearable, Abu Musa would be found fasting and he would say,
“Perhaps the thirst of the midday heat would prove to be quenching for us on the day of Qiyamah.”
As his end drew near, the words which he kept saying were words which he has repeated throughout his life as a believer,
Allahumma antas-Salaam Wa minkas-Salaam
“O Lord, You are the Source of Peace And from You comes Peace…”
DeensisterS 