Tarikh Islam

The Kufan people were the most important companions and friends of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) during his five-year Caliphate, but after the great battle of Siffin they became less obedient to Imam Ali. This is ascribed to the extreme thoughts which they held and which rapidly influenced their attitude towards the fight against the Syrians. Before going to war with Syrians and Mu'awiyah's army, Iraqi people were nearly unanimous to fight against Qasetin (deviators) and their dignitaries gave rousing speeches about the necessity of fight against the survivors of the parties who had opposed the Holy Prophet. The people were nearly unanimous and the opponents who were very few did not dare to oppose. After the battle of Siffin, however, the situation was otherwise and the very people changed their position. The present paper seeks to explore the reasons why people changed their attitude, such that Imam Ali's friends accepted arbitration and forced him to elect such a personality as Abu Musa Ash'ari as arbitrator, who opposed such wars.