The Battle of Siffin (37 A.H)
Nabi salla Llahu `alayhi wa sallam gestured towards Hasan radiya Llahu `anhu, who was sitting in his lap, and said: “This son of mine is a leader, and perhaps Allah will reconcile two great groups of the Muslims through him.” The hadith mentioned above refers to the people of Iraq who were with `Ali radiya Llahu `anhu and the people of Syria who were with Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan radiya Llahu `anhu, during the Battle of Siffin. They were also included in the general meaning of the verse: “And if two parties [or groups] among the believers fall to fighting, then make peace between them both.” We have seen above that this verse encompasses all of them, may Allah be pleased with them all. The article below examines what truly transpired in this battle — in light of authentic narration — and refutes the baseless allegations cast against the Sahabah, whose virtue has been engraved in the Noble Qur’an until eternity.