The battle of camel during the reign of Hazrat Ali (R.A.)

The Battle of Camel (Jaml):

Soon a full scale war started. Hundreds of Muslims fell on each side. Hazrat Ali (R.A.) was greatly pained at the situation. He tried to stop the battle but the battle had already flared

up.

In the dawn the troops of Hazrat Aisha (R.A.) apprised her of the situation and suggested that she should mount on a camel in hijab (pardah) so that the situation might ease. But it worked the other way and Basrites thought that Hazrat Aisha (R.A.) came in the field to fight with them. During the fight Hazrat Ali (R.A.) reminded Hazrat Talha and Hazrat Zubair (R.A.) the words of the Holy Prophet (SAWW): "One day you (Talha and Zubair) will fight Ali wrongly." They remembered the saying and left the battlefield but when Hazrat Talha (R.A.) was leaving the field somebody rained arrows on him and he was killed.

The battle came to an end in favour of Hazrat Ali (R.A.). Hazrat Aisha (R.A.) was sent with due respect to Madinah escorted by her own brother, Muhammad bin Abi Bakr.

After the battle he took pledge of loyalty from the people of Basrah and appointed Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (R.A.) as the governor of Basrah. He gave general amnesty to all those who fought against him including Marwan bin Hakam and other persons of Banu Umayyah family. The address which Hazrat Ali (R.A.) gave at Jami' Mosque of Basrah before the bai'at (pledge of loyalty) moved the Muslims, and they were convinced that Hazrat Ali (R.A.) was a just khalifah.

Change of Capital:

Hazrat Ali (R.A.) was very much grieved on seeing the disrespect of the Haram (Forbidden Place) of Madinah when the insurgents laid siege to the late khalifah's house and then assassinated him. He wanted to change the capital to save Madinah from future political disturbance. After staying for a few days at Basrah, Hazrat Ali (R.A.) went to Kufa.

There he was given a warm welcome. He got more supporters at Kufa and thought it to be a more suitable place as the capital of his khilafat. Therefore, in Rajab 36 A.H., he decided to transfer the capital from Madinah to Kufa.

Hazrat Ali's (R.A.) final invitation to Hazrat Muawiyah (R.A.):

Hazrat Ali (R.A.) now turned his attention towards Hazrat Muawiyah (R.A.). He was then ruling over the whole Islamic State with the exception of Syria. The peace minded Hazrat Ali (R.A.) wanted a peaceful settlement. He, therefore, wrote a letter to Hazrat Muawiyah (R.A.) asking him to take pledge of loyalty at his hand in the interest of Islam and the unity of the Muslims. But Hazrat Muawiyah (R.A.) again demanded of him to avenge Hazrat Usman's (R.A.) assassins first.