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In addition, `Uthmaan might not have given the matter the attention, care, and response it deserved,
so the incident happened and `Uthmaan was martyred and the doors of seditions were opened on the
Muslims. Mu'aawiyah started fighting the new caliph, `Aliy (May Allah glorify his face) for his right in
the matter and for the caliphate. The Companions had different stances. Some of them washed their
hands of the whole matter and went home, making Ibn `Umar's words their motto:
To the one who says, "Come to prayer," I will respond.
To the one who says, "Come to success," I will respond.
But to the one who says, "Come to kill your Muslim brother and to take his money," I will say,
"No."
Some Muslims were partial to Mu'aawiyah, others were partial to `Aliy, the one who demanded the
pledge of allegiance to him as the Muslims' caliph. Where do you think `Ammaar would stand? Where
should he stand, the man about whom the Messenger of Allah said, "Follow the guidance of `Ammaar,"
and, "Whoever antagonizes `Ammaar, will be antagonized by Allah"?
The man who, if he approached the house of Allah's Messenger (PBUH), the latter would say,
"Welcome the good-scented, kind man, allow him to come in"?
He stood by `Aliy lbn Abi Taalib, not as a prejudiced, biased person, but as one complying with the
truth and keeping his promise. `Aliy was the Caliph of the Muslims and had the pledge of allegiance to
be its leader (lmam). He took the caliphate and he was worthy of it. Above all, `Aliy had the qualities
that made his place to the Messenger of Allah as that of Haaruun (Aaron) to Muusaa (Moses). `Ammaar,
who always turned towards the truth wherever it was to enlighten his insight and loyalty to the possessor
of truth in that fight, turned to `Aliy on that day and stood by him. `Aliy (May Allah be pleased with
him) was overjoyed with `Ammaar's pledge and trusted that he was right in his demand because the great
man of truth, `Ammaar Ibn Yaasir, approached and went with him.
The terrible Day of siffiin arrived. Imam `Aliy came out to face the serious rebellion which he felt
he had to curb. `Ammaar came out with him, and he was 93 years old then. Imagine, a man of 93 going
to fight! It is true, as long as he believed that fighting was his responsibility and duty. In fact, he fought
more strongly and better than a man of 30. He was the man who was constantly silent, who spoke little.
When he moved his lips, he moved them to supplicate, "I seek Allah's protection from sedition. I seek
Allah's protection from sedition."
And after the passing away of the Messenger of Allah, these words remained his constant
supplication. As days passed, he used to seek Allah's protection more, as if his pure heart felt the coming
danger as the days went on. When it did happen and the sedition occurred, Ibn Sumaiyah knew his place,
so he stood in siffiin carrying his sword, a man of 93 to support a right which he believed should be
supported.
He declared his opinion about that fighting: O people, let us be directed to the people who claim
they are avenging 'Uthmaan. By Allah, their intention is not revenge, but they have tasted worldly things
and are pleased with them. They know that truth keeps them away from what they enjoy of lust and their
world. Those people had no precedent in the past to keep Muslims in obedience to them or in their
support. Their hearts have not felt awe towards Allah to force them to follow the truth. They deceive the
people by claiming they are avenging `Uthmaan's death. They seek nothing but to be tyrants and kings."
He then took the standard in his hand, raised ! high and fluttering above their heads and shouted,
"By Allah in Whose hands my soul lies, I fought with this standard with the Messenger of Allah, and
here I am fighting with it today. By Allah, if they defeat us until they reach the palm trees of Hajar, I
would still believe we are in the right and they are following the wrong." People followed Ammaar and
trusted his words.