Game Of Throne Beetwen Ali Ibn Abi Thalib And Muawiya Ibn Abi Sufyan? Historical Truth Or Theory?

Sorce: PusatJatimDigital.

One day, i hear one from Islamic History Lecturer said that Muawiya Ibn Abi Sufyan found Umayyad Caliphate after ousted Caliph Ali Ibn Abi Thalib.  At this article, we will search historical truth from this theory. Is this theory true and Muawiya is rebel from Caliph Ali s Goverment? Ok, please read this article until end because we will discuss about one darkest theory at Islamic History.

For understanding this problem, we must started from conflict beetwen Ali and Muawiya Ibn Abi Sufyan at Ali s goverment, Batte Of Shiffin.  Battle Of Shiffin broke at 36 H, Muawiya, at this event , became Governor Of Levantine ( Palestine, Syria, and around it) under Rashidun Caliphate. 

When Caliph Ali ruled, Caliph Ali send letter to Muawiya Ibn Abi Sufyan and invited him to confess his goverment, and Muawiya Ibn Abi Sufyan  held council with his officers. They said that they cannot confess Ali s goverment until Ali punished ocnums who kill before caliph, Caliph Uthman Ibn Affan. Before it, Muawiya Ibn Abi Sufyan also ask Caliph Ali to kill Uthman s murder. But Ali follow advice from Ibn Abbas to  postpone until situation calm. Muawiya Ibn Abi  Sufyan s officer such as Amr Ibn Ash and many leader at Levantine  provocated Muawiya to attack Ali s goverment and Ali also bring army to entered Levantine Territories. At 657 AD, broke Battle Of Shiffin beetwen Iraq Army under Ali Ibn Thalib and Syrian Army under Muawiya Ibn Abi Sufyan. But, this battle ended with peace covenant. Ali and Muawiya held peace covenant and at 659 AD, held  meeting beetwen Ali and Muawiya s group about this peace covenant.

From this event, we know that problem beetwen Caliph Ali Ibn Abi Thalib and Muawiya Ibn Abi Sufyan not political power, but problem about case of Uthman s murdered.  According Historian Ibn Kathir, number of army at Ali and Muawiya Ibn Abi Sufyan s group is so big. Ali Ibn Abi Thalib s army achieved 120.000 army and Muawiya Ibn Abi Sufyan s group achieved 60.000 army. But, the case not game of throne beetwen Ali and Muawiya.

And, after Ali Ibn Abi Thalib s die, at 40 H, his son, Al-Hasan Ibn Ali replaced his position as caliph at Rashidun Caliphate. At this era, Qais Ibn Saad, Rashidun Governor At Azerbaijan has a plan to attack Levantine that still at reign of Muawiya Ibn Abi Sufyan.  Hasan  fire Qais BN Saad and replaced him with Ubaidullah Ibn Abbas.  And, many people force Hasan to attack Muawiya at Levantine. Hasan, originally is peace lover and he doesnt want attack Muawiya but his people want he attack Muawiya. This expedition failed because riot at Hasan s troop when they march to Levantine and Hasan injured at this battle. Hasan Ibn Ali, after this battle held peace  covenant with Muawiya Ibn Abi Sufyan.  And, he submit his goverment to Muawiya Ibn Abi Sufyan.

Muawiya, originally not want reign , at his letter to Hasan Ibn Ali, he confess Hasan more  proper became caliph from himself, but Hasan ask him to became caliph and at 660 AD, Muawiya Ibn Abi Sufyan crowned as caliph at Jerusalem, Palestine. And it is startpoint from Umayyad Dynasty.  According Palestinian Historian, Shaykh Jihad Turbani, Al-Hasan is humanity hero. Because he was  prioritizing peace above his desire.

With this proof, cannot trusted that was happened game of throne beetwen Ali and Muawiya for Throne Of Caliphate. It is unbasic teory that cannot  accounted scientificly.

Refrences:

Hitti, Philip.K: History Of The Arabs: Rujukan Induk dan Paling Otoritatif Tentang Sejarah Peradaban Islam, Penerbit Serambi, 2006 M.

Imam Ibnu Katsir: Perjalanan Hidup Empat Khalifah Rasul Yang Agung, Penerbit Darul Haq 2012 M.

At-Turbani, Jihad: 100 Tokoh Islam Yang Mengubah Sejarah, Penerbit Aqwam, 2016 M.