Conclusion of a treaty by Imam Hasan Mojtaba (AS) with the Omayyad rebel, Mu'awiyah ibn Abu Sufyan

Compiled By: Syed Ali Shahbaz
On 26th of the Islamic month of Rabi al-Awwal in 41 AH, Imam Hasan Mojtaba (AS), the elder grandson of Prophet Mohammad (SAWA), on conclusion of a treaty with the Omayyad rebel, Mu'awiyah ibn Abu Sufyan, relinquished the caliphate or the political rule of the Islamic realm, because of the fickleness of faith of the Iraqis – rather than risk the unnecessary shedding of Muslim blood.
By this masterstroke of diplomacy, he not only showed that his God-given spiritual authority was far above and beyond the reach of any usurper, but also exposed Mu'awiyah in his true heathen colours. Mu'awiyah, an archenemy of the Prophet, until 8 AH when he reluctantly accepted Islam at the fall of Mecca, continued to be a bitter enemy of the Ahl al-Bayt as was clear by his rebellion against the model government of social justice of the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (AS), and the shedding of Muslim blood in the War of Siffeen.
On seizing the political power of the Muslim state, he violated every clause of the treaty and subjected the people of Iraq, Hejaz, Yemen, Iran, and Egypt to oppression, much to the regret of the Muslims who had been deceived by his propaganda and bribes. Imam Hasan (AS), who was well aware that the Byzantine emperor was planning to attack Bayt al-Moqaddas in case of civil war among Muslims, thus showed his wisdom and foresight in protecting the message of his grandfather, Prophet Mohammad (SAWA) and the mission of his father, Imam Ali (AS). As per the terms of the treaty, Mu’awiyah was to stop his adverse propaganda tirade against Imam Ali (AS); was to abstain from un-Islamic ways; provide the revenues of certain Iranian provinces for the bereaved families of the martyrs of the Battles of Jamal and Siffeen; did not have the right to nominate anyone as his successor; and the caliphate was to return to Imam Hasan (AS) on his death, and in case the Prophet’s elder grandson predeceased him, it was to be handed over to the Prophet’s younger grandson, Imam Husain (AS). Mu’awiyah brazenly breached the treaty and went on to martyr Imam Hasan (AS) through a fatal dose of poison in 50 AH. In 60 AH, while in his last days, he named his libertine son, Yazid as successor, instead of returning the caliphate to Imam Husain (AS).