transgression had occurred. On this basis, what Ibn ‘Umar reported is interpreted in this light, “if taken to refer to fighting in that situation.”

After the arbitration, partisan alignment, and the emergence of transgression, ‘Alī did not fight them, nor did his partisans obey him in fighting. From that point onward, these partisans were censured for withholding support when it was obligatory. It was at that time that they were called Shī‘a (partisans). They then became blameworthy for disobeying the ruler whom they were obliged to obey: the Commander of the Believers, ‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib. By failing to give him the support they owed him, they became people of falsehood and injustice, for this can arise either from abandoning what is right or from exceeding its bounds.

At that point, the partisans of ‘Uthmān who were with Mu‘āwiyah became superior to them; hence their victory over them. Thus the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“A group of my community will continue to prevail over those who oppose them.”

Mu‘āwiyah cited this as evidence, and Mālik ibn Yukhāmir stood up; it was reported from Mu‘ādh ibn Jabal that they were in Syria.

‘Alī was one of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, whereas Mu‘āwiyah was the first of the kings. The question therefore belongs to this category: fighting powerful kings alongside people committed to justice and to following the way of the Rightly Guided Caliphs. Many people hasten to call for this, believing that it will establish justice, while overlooking the fact that this is not achievable and that its harm would instead outweigh its benefit.

For this reason, the position of the scholars of hadith was to refrain from armed rebellion against transgressing kings and to endure their injustice patiently until a righteous person finds rest or people are relieved of a wicked person. This may be one of the Quran’s subtle wisdoms: it did not command fighting at the outset, but commanded fighting the transgressing group only after the two groups had fought, and commanded reconciliation between them. For if two groups from among the people of