The Arbitration at Adhruh: Abu Musa and Amr bin Al-Âs on Ali, Mu’âwiyah and the Caliphate

The Decision of the Arbitrators at Adhruh

When the end of the six-month period drew near, Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) sent for Abdullah bin Abbâs (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) from Basrah. He then appointed Shuraih bin Hâni Al-Hârithi in charge of four hundred men and Abdullah bin Abbâs (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) to lead the prayers. They were then sent to Adhruh along with Abu Musa Ash'ari (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ). Similarly, Mu'âwiyah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) also sent Amr bin Al-Âs (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) at the head of four hundred men. Some influential men from Makkah and Al-Madinah were also invited to join the peace efforts and they could not refuse to avail the opportunity of bringing the warring Muslims together and stopping the carnage. Several men including Abdullah bin Umar, Abdullah bin Zubair and Saad bin Waqqâs (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) came to Adhruh. The people were very curious to know the decision but the arbitrators held it back because they had to exchange views before making any announcement.

On the eve of the departure of Abu Musa Ash'ari (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) from Kufah to Adhruh, Hurqus bin Zuhair called on Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) on behalf of the Khawârij and submitted, "You have committed a blunder by accepting the arbitrator to give the decision in the matter. There is still time for you to back out from your promise and march on to attack your enemy. We stand by you." Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) said, "I cannot commit a breach of trust." This was the same Hurqus bin Zuhair who had headed the rioters against Uthmân (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) and had now joined hands with the Khawârij.

Since Abu Musa's departure, Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) would write letters to him daily without fail; and Mu'âwiyah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) too did the same, for the issue was too delicate and needed their undivided attention. Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) sent his letters and messages in the name of Abdullah bin Abbâs (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) while Mu'âwiyah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) addressed them to Amr bin Al-Âs (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ). But the two addresses had different working conditions. Mu'âwiyah's men were too disciplined to ask anything about the letters while Abdullah bin Abbâs (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) did not maintain secrecy because his men would sit around him and inquired about the contents of all the letters sent by Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ). They would grow angry when he kept anything secret. Gradually they turned against him and began to criticize him openly.

When Abdullah bin Umar, Abdur-Rahmân bin Abu Bakr, Abdullah bin Zubair, Abdur-Rahmân bin Al-Hârith, Abdur-Rahmân bin Abd Yaghuth Zuhri, Abu Jahm bin Hudhaifah, Mughirah bin Shu'bah, and Saad bin Waqqâs (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) and others reached Adhruh, a meeting of distinguished persons was convened to look into the matter. Amr bin Al-Âs (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) had Abu Musa (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) admit that Uthmân bin Affân (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) was put to death as an innocent man. Amr bin Al-Âs (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) also had him to admit that on account of common ancestry, Mu'âwiyah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) was within his rights to claim Qisâs (retaliation) of Uthmân (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ). These two issues were never denied by Abu Musa (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) and he accepted both unreluctantly.

Following this, Amr bin Al-Âs (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) raised the issue of the caliphate and said: "Mu'âwiyah belongs to a noble and renowned family of the Quraish. He is the brother of Umm Habibah, the wife of the Prophet (SAW) and the scribe of the revealed words."

Having heard all this, Abu Musa Ash'ari (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) raised his objection. He said, "Although I don't deny the excellence of Mu'âwiyah and how he was entrusted with the responsibility of ruling the Muslims in the presence of Ali and other such men and he commands high respect for all these qualities, Ali still has a far greater right. He is the closest to the Prophet (SAW) by the ties of relationship; he belongs to a very noble family and is reckoned among the chiefs of the Quraish. He also enjoys a distinct place in regard to learning, bravery, and piety."

Amr bin Al-Âs (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) argued, "Mu'âwiyah is superior in administrative ability and political vision." Abu Musa (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) replied, "These things are not worthy of consideration in comparison to piety and honesty." After such exchanges, Abu Musa Ash'ari (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) suggested that both Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) and Mu'âwiyah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) be deposed and Abdullah bin Umar (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) be chosen as caliph. Abdullah bin Umar (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ), who was present in the meeting, said in a loud voice, "I don't agree to this suggestion." Amr bin Al-Âs (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) said to Abu Musa (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ), "Why don't you choose my son, Abdullah?" Abu Musa (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) said, "Well, your son is very pious no doubt but you have put him to a great trial by plunging him into the battle."

Such inconclusive talks went on for sometime. After this, Amr bin Al-Âs (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) put forward his proposal and said, "Since hostile relations between Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) and Mu'âwiyah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) have brought untold miseries and sufferings to the Muslims as a whole, it is advisable that both should be deposed. Then the Muslims should choose a new caliph unanimously or by a majority opinion." With this suggestion agreed upon between the two, it was decided that the announcement should be made at the opening in front of the general assembly. They, however, anticipated rejection of the proposal by both Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) and Mu'âwiyah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ). Nevertheless, a call was sounded for the people to assemble which they did with the utmost curiosity. Both the arbitrators then appeared on the scene.