The significant points derived from

prophesies regarding Arbitration

          In the narrations, there are notable and significant points that should be studied carefully:

1. It can be concluded from the words of the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.) that he denied this issue that justice is for all the companions; and all the companions do not consider themselves as just; because his holiness clearly stated: ‘Two men from my companions will sit for making a judgement but their judgment will be based on oppression and injustice’.

Therefore, he did not consider them as two just judges but moreover, introduced them as oppressors and unjust.

2. Another point is that according to this narration, the Sunnis are not left with any logical reasoning that proves the justice of all the companions and their claim is void.
3. The third point which is also notable, is that the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.) declared the verdict of both the sides as false and regarded it as oppression and injustice.

Therefore, the verdicts made by Abu Musa and Amr e Aas, where former deprived Imam Ali (a.s.) of caliphate and latter allotted Mu’awiyah as the Caliph, were based on oppression and injustice, and resulted in the following:

1. Caliphate was proven for Imam Ali (a.s.) and depriving him was a sign of oppression and cruelty.
2. Mu’awiyah did not deserve the qualities of becoming a Caliph but he was allotted this position, which was another form of oppression and injustice.

Therefore, as per the saying of Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.), Imam Ali (a.s.) is his true caliph and Mu’awiyah usurped the right of his holiness, who dealt with injustice in the incident of Arbitration and eventually faced oppression.

4. The sayings of Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.) were always in the light of Quran and the Divine revelation. Just as the Almighty said:

(وَمَا یَنطِقُ عَنِ الْہَوَی *  اِنْ ہُوَ اِلَّا وَحْی یُوحَی )

‘Nor does he speak of (his own) desire; it is not save an inspiration that is inspired’[1].

          Hence, it is apparent that the Arbitration which was denounced by the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.), was not based on the verdict of Quran and both the sides gave verdict based on their inner desires, and not using the verses of the Holy Quran.

          Which verse of Quran implicates on the deprivation of Imam Ali (a.s.) from caliphate and the allotment of Mu’awiyah on that position?

5. The issue of Arbitration was not brought about to abide by the verdict of Quran, but was an excuse to end the battle and to prevent Mu’awiyah and Amr e Aas from a definite defeat.
6. If the issue of Arbitration was intended to abide by the verdict of Quran and not as an excuse of ignoring a definite defeat, then why did they not accept the invitation of Imam Ali (a.s.) towards accepting the Divine verdict and abiding by the Holy Quran, before the war had begun?
7. When there wasn’t any verdict given in the incident of Hakamiyyat from the Holy Quran, and they did not select any verse for reasoning their verdict, and as the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.) had also opposed the incident of Arbitration long before it occurred, then how does a group of Muslims consider Mu’awiyah the caliph of Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.)? It is when the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.) himself opposed the entire incident of Arbitration.
8. It was not just the incident of Arbitration that did not have anything to do with the verdict of Quran, but even the battle between Mu’awiyah and Imam Ali (a.s.) and his opposition of his holiness, was against the Quran; because with the death of Othman, neither did Mu’awiyah have the authority of ruling over Syria, nor was he entitled the next caliph. Hence, as he was not entitled the caliph, he could not avenge his blood.
9. Apart from this, as the sons of Othman were alive, Mu’awiyah could not possible avenge his blood, then how did he call himself the avenger of his blood? Therefore, his conflict and strife against Amir al-Momineen (a.s.), was also against the Holy Quran.
10.  Another significant point: Just like the removal of the word ‘Rasoolullah’ from the peace treaty of Hudaibiyah was against the truth and the Divine verdict, similarly, the removal of the title ‘Amir al-Momineen’ in the case of Arbitration was also against the truth and the Divine consent.

Therefore, just because Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) was the messenger of Allah, and this title should be read along with his holy name, similarly, the title of ‘Amir al-Momineen’ should be read along with the name of Imam Ali (a.s.). Just like the removal of word ‘Rasoolullah’ is an act of injustice with the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.), the removal of ‘Amir al-Momineen’ is also an act of injustice with regard to Imam Ali (a.s.).

11. As the removal of the title ‘Amir al-Momineen’ was an act of injustice with Imam Ali (a.s.) because he actually was the leader of the faithful, then there isn’t any claim left for Mu’awiyah because he is neither Amir al-Momineen, nor the caliph of Prophet (p.b.u.h.).
12. Because Mu’awiyah did not withhold the position of Amir for the believers or their caliph, then with the claim of such position, he proves that he is a misguided and misleading person, and all his followers are misguided as well.
13.  According to the third prophecy of Prophet (p.b.u.h.), not only Mu’awiyah was misguided, but both the judges who became the cause of his dominance, were misguided as well, and whoever follows them will also be considered misguided.

It is notable that Abu Musa Ash’ari himself heard and narrated this prophecy from the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.).

The Prophetic prophesies regarding the occurrence of the incident of Arbitration and its falsehood, come along with a large number of crucial points which clearly proves for all of us that Mu’awiyah did not have any right to sit on the chair of caliphate, and with the help of the plots that were designed by him from before, along with his own deceits and the treacheries of Amr e Aas, he was able to deviate a large number of Muslims from the right path.

Other prophesies of the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.), besides the ones on the issue of Arbitration, clearly prove that the behaviour and character of Mu’awiyah was against the sayings and commands of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.).