{"id":4841,"date":"2021-06-13T09:35:16","date_gmt":"2021-06-13T08:35:16","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2021-06-13T09:35:16","modified_gmt":"2021-06-13T08:35:16","slug":"malik-al-ashtar-the-brave-commander-of-the-army-of-imam-ali-a-s","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shiastudies.com\/en\/4841\/malik-al-ashtar-the-brave-commander-of-the-army-of-imam-ali-a-s\/","title":{"rendered":"Malik al-Ashtar, the brave commander of the army of Imam Ali (A.S.)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Malik al-Ashtar, the brave commander of the army of Imam Ali (A.S.)<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Malik al-Ashtar, the brave commander of the army of Imam Ali (A.S.): <\/strong>Al-Rabathah is a desert between Makkah and Madina. It is a barren land. No one inhabits it. But in the year 30 A.H., there was only one tent. In the tent there were an old man, an old woman, and their daughter.<\/p>\n

Why did the old man inhabit that distant area in the middle of the desert?
\nHe did not inhabit it of his on accord – the Caliph banished him to die there.
\nThe old man was ill. And his wife was always in tears. So, he said to her: Dhar\u2019s mother; why do you weep?
\nThe old woman said: Why shouldn\u2019t I weep and you\u2019re dying in this desert?
\nThe old man said: One day, my friends and I were sitting with Allah\u2019s Apostle [s]. And he said to us: “One of you will die in the desert. And a group of believers will attend his death.”
\nAll my friends passed away in their houses. And no one has remained but I. A person will come to your aid.
\nThe old woman said: The time of Hajj (Pilgrimage) is over. And no one has passed through this desert.
\nThe old man said: Don\u2019t worry! Go up the hill and look at the road of caravans.
\nThe old woman went up the hill and looked.
\nA long time passed, in the distance, the old woman saw a caravan coming towards her.
\nThe old woman waved a piece of cloth. The riders wondered and asked each other about that lonely old woman in the desert.
\nThey approached and asked about her condition. She said: My husband is dying. And no one is beside him.
\nAnd who\u2019s your husband?
\nWhile the old woman was weeping, she said: Abu Dhar, the companion of Allah\u2019s Apostle!
\nThe owners of the caravan were surprised. So, they said: Abu Dhar! The Prophet\u2019s companion! Come on! Let\u2019s see him!
\nThe men went to the tent. When they came into it, they saw Abu Dhar sleeping in his bed. They said: Assalamu Alaik, companion of Allah\u2019s Apostle!
\nWa Alaikum al-Salam, who are you?
\nOne of them said: Malik bin al-Haarth al-Ashtar. And there are some men with me from Iraq. We\u2019re going to Madina to tell the Caliph about the persecution we suffer from.
\nAbu Dhar said: My brothers, be cheerfull! Allah\u2019s Apostle [s] has told me that I\u2019ll die in the desert and that some believers will attend my death.
\nMalik and his friends rejoiced at that Prophetic good news. They sat down in Abu Dhar\u2019s tent. Malik al-Ashtar felt sorry for him. And he was sad to hear that the Umayyads mistreated the great companion, Abu Dhar.<\/p>\n

Al-Ashtar<\/strong>
\nMalik bin al-Haarth al-Nakhay belonged to an old Yemeni tribe. He became a Muslim in the time of the Prophet [s]. He was loyal to his Islam.
\nHe took part and fought bravely in the Battle of Yarmook. He had brave attitudes in stopping the Romans\u2019 attacks against the Muslim Army. So, his eye was split by a sword, namely, its lower lid was split. Thus, he was called al-Ashtar.
\nIn 30 A.H., the Muslims in Kufa and other Muslim cities were angry with their rulers\u2019 behaviour. For example, al-Waleed bin Akabah, the Caliph Uthman\u2019s brother, the ruler of Kufa, behaved contrary to Islam – he drank alcohol and spent his time in amusements.
\nOne day, al-Waleed entered mosque drunk. He prayed four Raka\u2019as during the morning prayers. Then he turned to the worshipers and said sarcastically: Shall I increase my prayers?
\nPeople were displeased with his behaviour. They criticized him in markets, houses and mosques.
\nPeople asked each other: Has not the Caliph found a good ruler to replace this bad one?
\nHe drank alcohol openly. He violated the teachings of the religion and the Muslims\u2019 rights.
\nSo, people thought about a way to solve the problem. Finally, they decided to ask the advice of the good people. So, they went to Malik al-Ashtar. Malik al-Ashtar said to them: First we\u2019d better advise him. Then we\u2019ll tell the Caliph about his bad behaviour.
\nMalik and some good people went to the ruler\u2019s palace. When they got into the palace, they saw him drinking as usual. They advised him to behave well. But he scolded and dismissed them.
\nSo, they decided to go to al-Madina al-Munawwara to meet the Caliph and to tell him about the problem.
\nThe delegation met the Caliph and told him about his ruler\u2019s bad behaviour. It was unfortunate that he scolded and dismissed them. Besides, he refused to hear their complaints. So, they became disappointed.
\nThey thought about going to Ali bin Abu-Talib, our Master Muhammad\u2019s cousin, because he was the only hope to reform the situation.<\/p>\n

The Delegation<\/strong>
\nIn the meantime, all people all over the Muslim cities complained of the rulers\u2019 bad behaviour.
\nThe companions went to Imam Ali\u2019s house. They told him about the rulers\u2019 persecution and corruption.
\nImam Ali [a] was sad to hear that. So, he went to the Caliph\u2019s palace. He met Uthman and advised him: Uthman, the Muslims are complaining of the rulers\u2019 persecution. And you know that very well I\u2019ve heard Allah\u2019s Apostle [s] saying: “On the Day of Judgement, the unjust imam will be brought to hell. And no one will support or excuse him. Then, he will be thrown into hell. He\u2019ll go round and round it till he gets into its intense heat.”
\nUthman thought for a while. He bent his head sadly. He admitted his mistakes. And he promised that he would ask Allah for forgiveness and that he would apologise to the Muslims.
\nImam Ali [a] went out to give the Muslims good news. They were all happy.
\nBut Marwan, the hypocrite, said to the Caliph: You\u2019d better threaten the people so as no one would dare to say bad words against the Caliph.<\/p>\n

The Revolution<\/strong>
\nUthman broke his promise. He did not behave well and did not change the rulers. In the meantime, he used strict policy against people. Mu\u2019awiyah, the ruler of Shaam, advised the Caliph to banish some companions from the land.
\nSo, the Caliph banished Abu Dhar, the great companion, to al-Rabathah Desert where he died alone. He hit the companion Ammar bin Yasir, the son of the first two martyrs in Islam.
\nThe Caliph whipped the companion Abdullah bin Masoud, too. So, people grumbled about Uthman\u2019s and his rulers\u2019 policy.
\nOur Master Muhammad\u2019s companions sent many letters to all Muslim cities. The letters read as follows: Muslims, come to us. And save the Caliphate. Allah\u2019s Book has been changed. And the Prophet\u2019s Sunnah has been changed. So, come to us if you believe in Allah and the Day of Judgement.
\nThe Muslim streamed into al-Madina al-Munawwara from everywhere. Malik al-Ashtar represented the revolutionaries. So, he held a meeting with Uthman to reform the affairs of the Muslim State.
\nThe revolutionaries asked Uthman to leave power. But the Caliph refused that. Imam Ali [a] tried to reform the matters. But all his efforts were in vain.
\nThe reason was that the Muslims were displeased with Uthman\u2019s and his rulers\u2019 persecution. In the meantime, Uthman stubbornly insisted on his policy.
\nThe revolutionaries besieged Uthman\u2019s palace.
\nThe revolutionaries climbed the walls of the palace. They broke into the Caliph\u2019s room and killed him. Marwan and other hypocrites ran away.
\nTalha and Zubair were ambitious to get the Caliphate. So, they helped the revolutionaries. But the people were thinking about only one person to be a Caliph. And the person was Imam Ali [a].
\nStreams of people came into Imam Ali\u2019s house. They asked him to be a Caliph. But the Imam refused.
\nMalik al-Ashtar and other companions insisted on Imam Ali\u2019s Caliphate. Malik addressed the people with enthusiasm: People, this is the Prophet\u2019s Regent. He has learnt the Prophet\u2019s knowledge. Allah\u2019s Book has mentioned his belief. Allah\u2019s Apostle [s] has told him that he will enter al-Ridhwan Garden. His personality is perfect The people in the past and present are certain of his behaviour and knowledge.
\nThus Malik al-Ashtar was the first to appoint Ali bin Abu-Talib as a Caliph. Then the Muslims followed him.
\nWhen Imam Ali [a] became the Caliph, a new time began. He dismissed all the unjust rulers. And he appointed good persons.<\/p>\n

The Battle of the Camel<\/strong>
\nSome people were ambitious for the Caliphate. Talha and Zubair were two of them. They went to Makkah and urged A\u2019isha, Abu Bakr\u2019s daughter, to revolt against Imam Ali [a].
\nMarwan took advantage of that situation. He began spending the Muslims\u2019 money, which he had stolen, to form a big army. He announced that he would revenge himself on Uthman\u2019s killers.
\nThe army headed for Basrah. There they uprooted the ruler\u2019s beard and dismissed him. They robbed the Public Treasury.
\nAmirul Mu\u2019mineen, Ali bin Abu Talib, was facing that mutiny strongly. He advanced towards Basrah to invite its people to strive against the rebels.
\nThe ruler of Kufa was Abu Musa al-Ashary. He discouraged people from striving against the rebels. In the meantime, he ordered people to disobey Amirul Mu\u2019mineen, Ali bin Abu Talib.
\nDays passed. But al-Hasan and Ammar bin Yasir did not come back. So, the Imam sent Malik al-Ashtar after them.
\nMalik al-Ashtar was a brave, determined man. He realized that the people of Kufa were always supporting the Imam against his enemies. And he understood that only Abu Musa al-Ashary obstructed them.
\nMalik al-Ashtar arrived in Kufa and began inviting its people to follow him. A numerous army obeyed him. So, he could attack the ruler\u2019s palace and to dismiss the guards from it.
\nAt that time, Abu Musa al-Ashary was in the mosque asking the people to stay in their houses and to disobey Amirul Mu\u2019mineen orders. The guards came and told him that Malik al-Ashtar occupied the palace.
\nAbu Musa al-Ashary asked Malik al-Ashtar for a day\u2019s time to leave Kufa. So, Malik accepted that. On the same day, Malik al-Ashtar hurried to the mosque to encourage the people to support Imam Ali [a].
\nHence, Malik could form a big army. The army was more than eighteen thousand fighters. Al-Hasan headed nine thousand fighters. They marched by land. The others crossed by river. The purpose of all was to join Imam Ali\u2019s army at Dhiqaar in the southern part of Iraq.
\nImam Ali [a] headed the army and advanced towards Basrah, where he met A\u2019isha\u2019s army. The leaders of the A\u2019isha\u2019s army were Talha, Zubair and Marwan bin al-Hakam.
\nMalik al-Ashtar was the leader of the right wing. Ammar leader of the left wing. Imam Ali [a] stood in the middle of the army. And Muhammad bin al-Hanafiyah, Imam Ali\u2019s son, carried the banner.
\nA\u2019isha\u2019s Army began attacking Imam Ali\u2019s army. They showered the Imam\u2019s Army with arrows. So, some fighters were killed and others were wounded.
\nThe Imam\u2019s Army wanted to return like for like. But the Imam stopped them and said: Who can take this Qur\u2019an and go to them to appeal to it? Surely they will kill him.
\nA young man said: Amirul Mu\u2019mineen, I\u2019ll take it.
\nA Muslim headed for the Army of the Camel raising the Qur\u2019an. A\u2019isha shouted: Throw arrows at him.
\nSo, the bow men threw arrows at him. He fell over the ground and became a martyr.
\nDuring those moments, Amirul Mu\u2019mineen raised his hands towards the sky. He prayed for Allah, the Almighty, to grant them a victory. Then he said: Allah, the eyes are gazing at you! And the hands are extended! Our lord, judge between our nation and us with justice! And you\u2019re the best judge!
\nThen the Imam ordered his fighters to launch a general attack. Malik al-Ashtar advanced. He was fighting bravely. Violent clashes took place around the camel.
\nThe Imam realized that killing the camel would end bloodshed and that it would end the fighting between the two parties.
\nMalik al-Ashtar launched a violent attack towards the camel. He was fighting bravely and honestly. He did not kill the wounded. He did not chase the runaway.
\nMalik al-Ashtar copied Imam Ali\u2019s good behaviour. He loved the Regent of Allah\u2019s Apostle [s]. The Imam loved Malik too, for he was God-fearing. And Allah loves those who fear him.<\/p>\n

The Victory<\/strong>
\nAfter violent fights, the Imam\u2019s Army could kill the camel So, the facing army was in low spirits and its fighters began escaping from the battlefield.
\nThe Imam ordered his fighters to stop the war operations. And he ordered them to treat A\u2019isha kindly and to bring her back to Madina.
\nThe Imam released the prisoners of war. He ordered his fighters to cure the wounded. And he forgave them all.
\nMalik al-Ashtar and Ammar bin Yasir visited A\u2019isha. She said: Malik, you were about to kill my nephew
\nMalik answered: Yes. I wanted to relieve Muhammad\u2019s nation from him. But I did not kill him because I was fasting for three days. And I\u2019m an old man.<\/p>\n

In Kufa<\/strong>
\nAfter some days stay in Basrah, the Imam headed for Kufa.
\nMalik al-Ashtar fought as bravely as a lion. So, the enemies were afraid of him.
\nBut on the normal days, he looked a poor man. He wore simple clothing. He walked humbly. Thus most people did not know him.
\nOne day, while Malik al-Ashtar was walking was walking in the street, a foolish person was eating some dates and throwing the stones about.
\nMalik al-Ashtar passed before the foolish person. He threw a stone at Malik. The stone hit him on the back. The foolish person began laughing at him.
\nA man saw the foolish person. He said to him: What are you doing? Do you know that man?
\nThe foolish person answered: No, who is he?
\nHe\u2019s Malik al-Ashtar!
\nMalik went on walking. He did not pay attention to the foolish person. He remembered how the polytheists treated our Master Muhammad [s] in Makkah. They threw dust and rubbish at him but he kept silent.
\nMalik came into mosque. He began praying for Allah to forgive the foolish person. The man ran quickly. He came into the mosque. He embraced Malik apologizing and saying: I want to apologize to you for my bad behavior! So, accept my apology.
\nMalik answered with a smile: Brother, don\u2019t worry. By Allah, I\u2019ve entered the mosque to pray for Allah to forgive you.<\/p>\n

The Battle of Siffeen<\/strong>
\nThe Imam chose the good persons to rule the cities. So, he appointed Malik al Ashtar ruler over Mousal, Sinjar, Naseebeen, Heet, and Anat. They are areas on the borders of Shaam.
\nMu\u2019awiyah disobeyed the Caliph. He became a dictator in Shaam.
\nThe Imam tried to persuade Mu\u2019awiyah to obey him. He sent him several letters, sent some delegates to talk with him. But all the Imam\u2019s efforts were in vain.
\nThus the Imam formed an army and gave its leadership to Malik al-Ashtar.
\nThe army advanced towards Shaam. It arrived in Kirkeesya, where it clashed with the Shamian Army headed by Abi al-Awar al-Salmy.
\nMalik al-Ashtar tried to persuade the leader of the army to end the mutiny and to obey Amirul Mu\u2019mineen, but he refused.
\nAt night, the Shamian Army took advantage of time and launched a surprise attack. That action was contrary to the religion and politeness because the two parties were in negotiations.
\nThe Caliph\u2019s Army resisted the surprising attack. It killed and wounded many attackers and forced the others to withdraw to their original places.
\nAgain Malik al-Ashtar showed his bravery. He sent a man to Abi al-Awar to invite him to duel with swords.
\nThe man said: Abi al-Awar, Malik al-Ashtar is inviting you to duel with him!
\nThe leader of Mu\u2019awiyah\u2019s Army became afraid and with cowardice said: I don\u2019t want to duel with him!
\nMu\u2019awiyah headed a big army to join the Shamian Army.
\nThe two armies met in the plain of Siffeen on the banks of the Euphrates.
\nSome units of Mu\u2019awiyah\u2019s Army occupied the banks and besieged the river.
\nThat action was also contrary to the laws of Islam and the laws of war.
\nThe Imam sent Sasaah bin Suhan, one of the companions of the Prophet [s], to Mu\u2019awiyah to talk with him.
\nSasaah came into Mu\u2019awiyah\u2019s tent and said: Mu\u2019awiyah, Ali says: “Let\u2019s take some water. Then we\u2019ll decide what\u2019s between you and us, otherwise we will fight each other till the victor drinks.”
\nMu\u2019awiyah kept silent and said: I\u2019ll answer you later on.
\nThe Imam\u2019s representative went out. Mu\u2019awiyah asked the advice of some men. So al-Waleed said with spite: Prevent them from drinking water to force them to surrender.
\nThey agreed on this opinion.
\nMu\u2019awiyah gathered all the evil persons around him. They violated the laws of Islam and of human rights.
\nMalik al-Ashtar was watching the military movements on the river banks. He saw military supplies. So, he realized that Mu\u2019awiyah would tighten the siege.
\nThe Imam\u2019s soldiers became thirsty. Malik became thirsty, too. So, a soldier said to him: There\u2019s only little water in my water-skin, please drink it.
\nMalik refused that and said: I won\u2019t drink till all soldiers drink!
\nMalik went to the Imam and said: Amirul Mu\u2019mineen, our soldiers are very thirsty. We\u2019ve nothing but fighting.
\nThe Imam answered: Yes.
\nThe Imam gave the soldiers a speech and urged them to fight bravely.
\nThen he said: Death is that man is pleased with abasement. And life is that man who dies and becomes a martyr.
\nMalik led the first attack at the Battle of Siffeen. And he began fighting bravely. So, he advanced towards the banks of the Euphrates.
\nAfter violent clashes, Malik could recapture the river banks and force Mu\u2019awiyah\u2019s Army to withdraw.
\nMu\u2019awiyah\u2019s Army became far from water. So, they thought of a trick to recapture its places on the River Euphrates.
\nOn the following day, an arrow fell among the Imam\u2019s soldiers. There was a letter tied to the arrow. The soldiers read the letter carefully. They passed on the news quickly to each other. The news was: From a loyal brother in the Shamian Army, Mu\u2019awiyah is going to open the river to drown you. So, be careful!
\nThe soldiers believed the news and withdrew. The Shamian Army took advantage of the situation and recaptured the river banks.
\nBut the Imam\u2019s Army launched a general attack and dismissed the Shamian Army from the region.
\nMu\u2019awiyah was so worried that he asked Amru bin al-Aas: Do you think Ali will prevent us from drinking water?
\nAmru bin al-Aas answered: Ali doesn\u2019t do as you do!
\nThe Shamian soldiers were worried, too. Immediately, the soldiers heard that Imam Ali [a] allowed them to come to the river to drink water.
\nSome people from Shaam realized the difference between Mu\u2019awiyah and Ali. Mu\u2019awiyah did every evil action for victory. But Ali did not think about that at all. He conformed to the human, good, ideal behaviour.
\nThus, the soldiers of the Shamian Army left Mu\u2019awiyah\u2019s front secretly at night. They joined Ali\u2019s front because it was always representing truth and humanity.<\/p>\n

Mu\u2019awiyah<\/strong>
\nMu\u2019awiyah was displeased with Malik al-Ashtar, for his bravery made Ali\u2019s Army fight with enthusiasm. In the meantime it dismayed the Shamian soldiers.
\nSo, Mu\u2019awiyah decide to kill Malik in a face-to-face duel with swords. He ordered Marwan to duel with him. But Marwan was afraid of Malik. Thus he apologised to Mu\u2019awiyah and said: Let bin al-Aas duel with him because he\u2019s your right arm.
\nThen Mu\u2019awiyah ordered Amru bin al-Aas to duel Malik. He reluctantly agreed to Mu\u2019awiyah\u2019s plan.
\nIbn al-Aas invited Malik to duel with him. Malik advanced towards him holding his spear. He hit him violently on the face. So, Amru bin al-Aas escaped with alarm.<\/p>\n

Ammar\u2019s Martyrdom<\/strong>
\nThe clashes became intense. Ammar was leading the left wing of the Imam\u2019s Army. He, though an old man, was fighting bravely.
\nWhen the sun was about to set, Ammar, may Allah be pleased with him, requested some food to break the fast.
\nA soldier brought him a cup full of yoghurt. Ammar became cheerful and said: Tonight, I may he martyred because Allah\u2019s Apostle [s] has said to me: Ammar, the unjust group will kill you, and your final drink in the world will be a cup of yoghurt.
\nThe companion broke his fast and advanced towards the battlefield. He fought bravely. Then he fell over the ground and became a martyr.
\nThe Imam came and sat near Ammar\u2019s head and said sadly: May Allah have mercy on Ammar on the day when he became a Muslim, may Allah have mercy on Ammar on the day when he became a martyr, may Allah have mercy on Ammar on the day when he will be raised from the dead! Ammar enjoy your garden!
\nAmmar\u2019s martyrdom in the battlefield affected the course of the battle very much. The Imam\u2019s Army was in high spirits. In the meantime, Mu\u2019awiyah\u2019s Army was in low spirits.
\nAll Muslims memorized the tradition our Master Muhammad [s] said to Ammar bin Yasir. The tradition is as follows: Ammar the unjust group will kill you.
\nAll understood that Mu\u2019awiyah and his soldiers were wrong and that Ali and his companions were right.
\nThus the Imam\u2019s Army attacked Mu\u2019awiyah\u2019s Army increasingly. Therefore, Mu\u2019awiyah and his army were getting ready to escape.<\/p>\n

A New Trick<\/strong>
\nMu\u2019awiyah thought about a new trick to cheat the Imam\u2019s Army. So, he asked the advice of Amru bin al-Aas. Amru bin al-Aas said: I\u2019m sure we can cheat them with the Qur\u2019an.
\nMu\u2019awiyah rejoiced at the trick and ordered his soldiers to raise the Qur\u2019an on their spears.
\nWhen the Imam\u2019s soldiers saw the Qur\u2019an, they thought about stopping the battle. Thus Mu\u2019awiyah cheated many soldiers.
\nThe Imam said: It\u2019s a trick! I was the first to invite them to Allah\u2019s Book. And I was the first to believe in It. They\u2019ve disobeyed Allah and broken His promise.
\nBut twenty thousand soldiers disobeyed the Imam\u2019s order and said:
\nStop fighting and order al-Ashtar to withdraw!
\nThe Imam sent a soldier to al-Ashtar to stop fighting.
\nBut Malik al-Ashtar went on fighting. Then he said: We\u2019ll get the final victory within few moments.
\nThe soldier said: But twenty thousand rebels are besieging the Imam. If you go on fighting they\u2019ll kill him.
\nMalik al-Ashtar was forced to withdraw. So, he said: There\u2019s neither might nor power but with Allah.<\/p>\n

The Arbitration<\/strong>
\nMalik al-Ashtar knew that Mu\u2019awiyah\u2019s action was only a trick. But he obeyed the Imam\u2019s order so as no disaster would happen. He was a brave leader and an obedient soldier.
\nThe fights stopped. And the two parties agreed to the arbitration according to Allah\u2019s Book.
\nMu\u2019awiyah sent Amru bin al-Aas to represent him in the negotiations. And the Imam wanted to choose an alert, wise man. A man who had a good knowledge of Allah\u2019s Book. So, he chose Abdullah bin Abbas, the religious scholar of the nation.
\nBut the rebels refused him and said: We\u2019ll choose Abu Musa al-Ashary.
\nSo, the Imam advised them and said: I disagree with you on him. And Abdullah bin Abbas is better than he.
\nAgain the rebels refused him. So, the Imam said: I\u2019ll choose al-Ashtar.
\nThey refused him too. They insisted on Abu Musa al-Ashary.
\nTo avoid a disaster, the Imam said: Do whatever you like!
\nThus the two representatives met to talk. Amru bin al-Aas thought about a way to deceive al-Ashary. He said to him: Abu Musa, Mu\u2019awiyah and Ali have caused all these troubles. So, lets dispose them and elect another man.
\nAbu Musa al-Ashary did not like Amirul Mu\u2019mineen, Ali bin Abu-Talib. So, he agreed to the plan. He said before the people: I\u2019m removing Ali from the Caliphate as I\u2019m removing my ring from my finger. Then he removed his ring.
\nBut Amru bin al-Aas said spitefully: I\u2019m fixing Mu\u2019awwiyah to the Caliphate as I\u2019m fixing my ring to my finger Then he wore his ring.
\nThe rebels repented of their wrongdoing. But they insisted on disobeying the Imam. In the meantime, they asked him to turn to Allah in repentance and to announce war again.
\nBut the Imam respected the promise and the covenant.
\nHe agreed with Mu\u2019awiyah on the truce and stopping the battle for a year.
\nThe Imam asked his fighters to be patient for the year. But they disobeyed him, too. So, they were called the Kharijities<\/p>\n

Egypt<\/strong>
\nMu\u2019awiyah thought about a way to control Egypt. So, he sent a big army to occupy it.
\nThe ruler of Egypt was Muhammad bin Abu-Bakr (the first Caliph\u2019s son). He asked Imam Ali [a] to send him urgent military supplies to prevent the invaders from occupying Egypt.
\nSo, the Imam said to Malik al-Ashtar: Malik, may Allah have mercy on you, go to Egypt. I\u2019ve absolute trust in you. Rely on Allah! Use gentleness in its places and intensity in its place.
\nMalik al-Ashtar set out for Egypt.<\/p>\n

The Poison and the Honey<\/strong>
\nMu\u2019awiyah was worried about Malik\u2019s going to Egypt, for he knew that Malik would save it. So, Mu\u2019awiyah thought about a way to kill him.
\nMu\u2019awiyah used to mix honey with poison to kill his enemies. Mu\u2019awiyah imported poisons from Rome. The Romans allowed Mu\u2019awiyah to import them because they knew that he would use them to kill the Muslims.
\nAmru bin al-Aas said: I know a man. The man lives in al-Qilzim City on the borders of Egypt. He has vast lands. Certainly Malik al-Ashtar will pass through the city and stop in it to rest.
\nMu\u2019awiyah said: Let\u2019s send a man to tell him to kill al-Ashtar and we won\u2019t tax him for life.
\nThus Mu\u2019awiyah\u2019s delegate quickly set out for Egypt taking the poisoned honey to persuade the man to kill Malik al-Ashtar.<\/p>\n

Martyrdom<\/strong>
\nThe man agreed to Mu\u2019awiyah\u2019s plan. He took the poisoned honey. He was looking forward to Malik\u2019s arrival.
\nAfter only a few days, Malik arrived in al-Qilzim City. The man invited the new ruler of Egypt for lunch in his house. Malik al-Ashtar accepted the invitation thankfully.
\nThe man put the cup of the poisoned honey on the table. The guest took one spoon of the poisoned honey. He felt a severe pain in his stomach. He realized the plot. So, he put his hand on his belly and said: In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
\nWe belong to Allah, and we\u2019ll come back to Him!
\nMalik al-Ashtar received death with the bravery of the certain believer, who knew that his way was Islam and the Paradise.
\nWhen Malik al-Ashtar became a martyr, Mu\u2019awiyah was about to fly because of happiness. So, he said: Ali bin Abu Talib had two hands. I cut off one of them on the day of Siffeen. It was Ammar bin Yasir. And today I\u2019ve cut off the other hand. It is Malik al-Ashtar.
\nBut Amirul Mu\u2019mineen was very sad. So, he expressed his sorrow: May Allah have mercy on Malik! He loved and obeyed me as I loved and obeyed Allah\u2019s Apostle [s].
\nThus, Malik al-Ashtar ended his life in Jihad. His bright behavior will remain as a model for the Muslim young men everywhere!\n<\/p>\n

Imam Hasan (A.S) the Second Holy Imam<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n