The Guidance of the Prophet
Ali ibn Abi Talib (d. 661), the fourth rightly guided caliph, was
succeeded by his son, Hasan ibn Ali, on whose hands people took
the oath of allegiance. But the Muslims of those times had divided
into two groups, one supporting Hasan, the other Muawiya. The
difference between the two groups escalated to such an extent that
they almost went to war with one another. At that time Hasan had
an army of 40,000. Had a war been started, most of them would
have been killed. But Hasan did not approve of a course of clash and
confrontation. Therefore, by his own decision, he stepped down
from the post of caliph, surrendering it to Muawiya. This stand
taken by Hasan was disapproved of by his own Muslim people, and
they started to speak out against him. One Muslim addressed him
thus: “O, one who is a shame for Muslims!” Hasan said in reply:
“Humiliation is better than fire.” (Al-Bidayat wan Nihaya, vol.8, pp.
18-19)
This constructive stand taken by Hasan was not liked by the
common Muslims, for to them this reeked of humiliation and
surrender. But the Prophet of Islam had foreseen that he would take
this stand and he approved of it.According to traditions, whenHasan
was young (he was the Prophet’s grandson) the Prophet had made
this prediction: “This son of mine is a leader. God may reconcile two
large warring groups of Muslims through him.”
This incident tells us of a very important reality of life.We learn
from this that a stand which the common Muslims viewed as one of
humiliation and surrender, was in the eyes of the Prophet an excellent
example of the right kind of leadership. The truth is that in such
matters such terms of opprobrium—humiliation and surrender—
belong to the days of ignorance (prior to Islam). The Islamic way is
to look upon such matters in terms of their result. According to the
teachings of Islam, in controversial matters only that way is the right
way which keeps one from stooping to confrontation and violence.
The way which leads one to war and violence is indubitably the
way of ignorance. In such matters, it is incumbent upon believers
to opt for the way of avoidance rather than confrontation, even if
that may, to the shallow-minded appear to be one of humiliation and
surrender.
