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Abd Allah lived long and when he got older and weaker he always remembered the Prophet's advice
saying, "If only I had accepted the Prophet's advice."
It is not easy to find a believer of that sort engaged in a war fought by two Muslim parties against
each other. How was it possible that his feet carried him from Al-Madiinah to As-Siffiin where he joined
Mu`aawiyah's army in the battle against Imam `Aliy? The more we contemplate `Abd Allah's position,
the more we will find it worthy of your respect and honor.
We saw how `Abd Allah was engaged in worship in a way which truly endangered his life. His
father was always concerned about this matter. Therefore, he often complained to the Prophet (PBUH).
On that particular instance when the Prophet (PBUH) asked `Abd Allah to be moderate in worship,
clearly suggesting suitable intervals, `Abd Allah's father `Amr was present. The Prophet (PBUH) put
`Abd Allah's hand into his father's saying, "Do as I ordered you and obey your father."
Although `Abd Allah was obedient to his father due to his faith and belief, the Prophet's order to
him in such a way and on such an occasion had a very special impact on him. `Abd Allah lived his whole
life always remembering this short statement, "Do as I ordered you and obey you father."
Days and years passed. Mu'aawiyah in Syria refused to swear the oath of allegiance to `Aliy. `Aliy
refused to submit to an illegal rebellion. War broke out between the two Muslim parties. The Battle of
Al-Jamal passed, and now it was the turn of As-Siffiin.
`Amr lbn Al-'Aas had chosen to fight on Mu'aawiyah's side. Knowing how much people trusted and
acknowledged his son's faith, he found it very beneficial for Mu'aawiyah's party to convince him to join
and engage in the war. In addition, `Amr was always optimistic whenever he had Abd Allah beside him
in times of war. He could not forget his striving and endeavor in the conquest of Syria and on the Day of
Yarmuuk.
When he intended to set out towards As-Siffiin he appealed to his son to join saying, "O Abd Allah,
get ready, you're going to fight with us." Abd Allah replied, "How? The Prophet (PBUH) has entrusted
me never to hold a sword to a Muslim's neck." By means of his cunning tricks, `Amr tried to convince
his son that they just intended to kill `Uthmaan's murderers and to take revenge.
Then he surprised his son with the following words, "O Abd Allah, do you remember the last thing
the Prophet committed you to, when he put your hand over mine saying, Obey your father? I order you
now to join us and fight with us.
`Abd Allah went obediently but with the deep intention to neither carry a sword nor kill a Muslim.
But how was that going to be possible? For the time being, he was just joining his father, but when the
fight starts let Allah do as He wills.
It was a hard and fierce battle. Historians argue and differ among themselves, whether `Abd Allah
joined the battle from the very beginning or not.
We think that he joined it from the very beginning, because the battle had hardly begun when
something happened which forced `Abd Allah to stand openly and dearly against the whole war and
against Mu'aawiyah.
`Ammaar Ibn Yaasir, who was well respected by the Companions, was fighting on the side of Imam
`Aliy. Once in the far remote past the Prophet (PBUH) had forseen `Ammaar's murder.
This was in the days when the Prophet (PBUH) and the Companions were building their mosque at
Al-Madiinah after the Hijrah. The rocks were extremely big and even the strongest ones could not carry
more than one at a time. However, Ammaar was so cheerful and glad that he went on carrying two rocks
at a time. The Prophet (PBUH) looked at him with tearful eyes saying, "Woe upon the son of Sumaiyah.