Another Prophetic Prophecy regarding Mu’awiyah

          Yunus bin Khabab narrates from Anas bin Malik that he said: We were in the Holy Prophet’s company, Ali (a.s.) was also along with us, we passed by an orchard and Ali (a.s.) said:

          ‘O Messenger of Allah! Do you witness this beautiful orchard?’

          The Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.) said: O Ali! Your orchard in paradise is much more beautiful.

          And we passed by seven orchards, and Ali questioned the same thing and received the same answer. Then the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.) halted, and we halted along with him, then the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) placed his head on Ali’s shoulder and began to weep. Ali (a.s.) asked:

          ‘O Messenger of Allah! What made you cry?’

          He replied: There lies enmity in the hearts of this nation which will not be known to you until my demise.

          Ali (a.s.) asked: O Messenger of Allah! Shall I not raise my sword and destruct them?

          He replied: It is better for you to be patient.

          He asked: What will happen if I remain patient?

          He replied: You will face difficulties and hardships.

Moreover, the author of ‘Al Gharaat’ narrates from Aa’mash who narrates from Anas bin Malik that he said: I heard the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.) say:

          ‘In no time, a man from my nation will dominate the people, he will be broad necked and have a wide intestine, he will eat plenty but not be filled, will bear the sins of the Jinn and humans on his shoulder; one day he will rise for attaining power, wherever you find him, tear open his stomach’.

          He says: At that time, the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.) had his wooden stick in his hand with which he indicated towards Mu’awiyah’s stomach.

          Moreover, the author of ‘Al Me’yaar wal Mu’aazina’, Abu Ja’far Iskafi says: One day, the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.) arrived at the house of Lady Fatima (s.a.) while Imam Ali (a.s.) was asleep, Lady Fatima (s.a.) intended to wake him up; the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.) said:

          ‘Let him sleep as he will face a many lengthy and sleepless nights after me, and my household will face extreme oppressions and disloyalty due to the jealousy that people will have in their hearts for him’.

          Lady Fatima (a.s.) began to weep; the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.) said:

          ‘Do not weep, both of you will be with me and remain near me at all the blessed places’.

Abu Saeed Khadri says: One day, the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.) mentioned all the sorrows and difficulties that will be faced by Ali (a.s.) after his death, and explained it in detail; Imam Ali (a.s.) said to the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.):

          ‘O Messenger of Allah! I request you, for the sake of our relationship, to pray in the court of Allah asking Him to take away my soul before you’.

The Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.) said: How is it possible for me to ask for something related to your life that is destined and allotted?

          Ali (a.s.) said: O Messenger of Allah! On what grounds will I fight against the ones whom you have commanded me to fight?

          He replied: On the grounds of bringing changes in the religion.[1]

          As per this narration, Mu’awiyah will bear the sins of the Jinn and the humans on his shoulders and it was the people’s responsibility to tear off his stomach where ever they found him!

          We can conclude from the last part of the narration that the battle fought by Ali (a.s.) against Mu’awiyah will be on the grounds of the changes brought by him in the religion and his fight against Mu’awiyah will be as per the command of the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.).

          Imam Ali (a.s.), the fourth caliph of Muslims as per the Sunni sect, fought against Mu’awiyah. Why did the other three Caliphs not fight against him and why did the two former caliphs appointed him as the governor of Syria?

          Didn’t their act become a base for him to lay his hands upon Hijaz and sit on the Prophet’s pulpit?