MU‘ĀWIYA’S MONARCHY

precisely thirty years. [1] Primarily other Hadiths dealing with caliphate are virtually of this category unless, the conclusive evidence vindicate their authenticity otherwise.

The narration of, [ان الخلفاء من قريش الى أن تقوم الساعة[2“Caliphate does belong to Quraysh until the Day of Judgement” would be of this type as well unless in compliance with our belief it corresponded to Nass (textual nomination) of Imām ‘Alī (a) together with his succeeding Imāms.

Heedless of the origin of the Hadith, the historical evidence indicated the start of a thoroughgoing monarchism within the domain of the Islamic caliphate. The term of monarchism as a substitute for caliphate equates to the existence of despotism which is deemed as one of the fundamental features of the rule. As the completion of the narration of this very Hadith “after thirty years” has come, ثم تكون ملكاَ عاضاَ جبرية“After which monarchism forcibly appears.” [3]

The noticeable instances of which were Kasrā’s rule in Iran and those of Caesar’s and Heraclitus’s in Rome and Damascus. Mu‘āwiya was a great enthusiast for the background of Damascus in particular. Muslims were all well acquainted with these two rulers.

In one of his sermons concerning Qāsitīn (the oppossers), Imām ‘Alī (a) said, “Combat Allāh’s foes, those striving to extingish Allāh’s light. Battle against the misled wrongdoers, the felons who are neither Qur’ān recitors, nor religious jurisprudents, scholars of paraphrase and those having no background in Islam. I do swear by Almighty Allāh that if they could secure the authority, they would undoubtedly perform what was done by Kasrā and Heraclitus.” [4]

‘Ammār also regarding Qāsitīn said that ‘Uthmān’s assassination was a pretext to them until, ليكونوا بذلك جبابرةَ ملوك[5]“ ‏‏‏The oppressors became monarchs.”

It was the approach that Mu‘āwiya had singled out in order to secure the authority and govern an Islamic land. He himself divulged, “By Almighty Allāh I did neverever combat for the sake of performing prayers, observing fast, pilgrimage nor paying Zakāt (poor-rate as prescribed by Islam). You

[1] Murūdj al-dhahab, vol.II, p.429. It merits consideration that those fabricating Hadiths have been trying to be accurate in calculation.
[2] al-Djāmi‘ al-Sahīh, Kitāb al-fitan, No.49
[3] Musnad Ahmad, vol.IV, p.273; Kitāb Muslim, Kitāb al-zuhd, No.4
[4] Tārīkh al-tabarī, vol.V, p.78
[5] Murūdj al-dhahab, vol.V, p.39

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yourself were acting them all. I did combat to dominate you and although Allāh bestowed it to me, you never contented.” [1]