Why did Imam Ali (AS) Fight with Three groups of the So-Called Muslims?
Caliphate:
After the murder of the third caliph, there was great civil unrest and disorder. The Muslims crowded around the house of Imam Ali and insisted he accept the government and become caliph. Imam Ali was the only caliph that was democratically elected by the people.
Battle of Jamal (Camel):
Imam Ali ruled with justice, and treated the people of the society as equals, regardless of their fame or position. Two of the Prophet’s companions, Talha and Zubayr, demanded governorship of some provinces, but were refused by the Imam. With the encouragement of Aisha, one of the Prophet’s wives, they prepared an army against Imam Ali. Imam Ali defeated them in the Battle of Jamal and respectfully returned Aisha to her home.
Battle of Siffin:
Muawiyah refused to submit the governorship of Shaam to Imam Ali. He falsely accused the Imam of being the murderer of the third caliph and prepared an army to avenge his death. In the last stage of the Battle of Siffin, close to the Imam’s victory, Muawiyah ordered his army to hoist Qurans on their spears, saying that the Quran should settle the matter. The Imam’s troops refused to continue fighting and threatened the Imam to death if he did not call for a ceasefire.
Battle of Nahrawan:
The Khawarij, the people who had threatened the Imam in the Battle of Siffin to accept the negotiation with Muawiyah, soon realized their mistake and regretted their decision. They blamed Imam Ali and accused him of being a false leader. They had caused tensions and unrest among the Muslims. The Imam talked to them on several occasions and convinced many of them, but not all of them accepted. Eventually, he went to the Battle of Nahrawan against the remaining Khawarij.
After the murder of the third caliph, there was great civil unrest and disorder. The Muslims crowded around the house of Imam Ali and insisted he accept the government and become caliph. Imam Ali was the only caliph that was democratically elected by the people.
Battle of Jamal (Camel):
Imam Ali ruled with justice, and treated the people of the society as equals, regardless of their fame or position. Two of the Prophet’s companions, Talha and Zubayr, demanded governorship of some provinces, but were refused by the Imam. With the encouragement of Aisha, one of the Prophet’s wives, they prepared an army against Imam Ali. Imam Ali defeated them in the Battle of Jamal and respectfully returned Aisha to her home.
Battle of Siffin:
Muawiyah refused to submit the governorship of Shaam to Imam Ali. He falsely accused the Imam of being the murderer of the third caliph and prepared an army to avenge his death. In the last stage of the Battle of Siffin, close to the Imam’s victory, Muawiyah ordered his army to hoist Qurans on their spears, saying that the Quran should settle the matter. The Imam’s troops refused to continue fighting and threatened the Imam to death if he did not call for a ceasefire.
Battle of Nahrawan:
The Khawarij, the people who had threatened the Imam in the Battle of Siffin to accept the negotiation with Muawiyah, soon realized their mistake and regretted their decision. They blamed Imam Ali and accused him of being a false leader. They had caused tensions and unrest among the Muslims. The Imam talked to them on several occasions and convinced many of them, but not all of them accepted. Eventually, he went to the Battle of Nahrawan against the remaining Khawarij.