Sahīh collections: al-Bukhārī narrated it, as stated above, in the hadith of Abū Saīd. Muslim also narrated it through several routes: in the report of al-Hasan, from his mother, from Umm Salama [—may Allah be pleased with her—and in the report of] Abū Saīd (1), from Abū Qatāda and others.

Others said:

“This proves that Muāwiya and his supporters were rebels, and that Alī’s fight against them was the just party’s fight against the rebellious party. However, they were rebels acting upon an interpretation and are not to be declared unbelievers or sinners.”

The response is that merely being rebels does not entail a command to fight them. Allah did not command that every transgressor be fought; indeed, He did not initially command that rebels be fought. Rather, He said:

“If two groups of believers fight, make peace between them. If one of them transgresses against the other, then fight the transgressing group until it returns to Allah’s command. If it returns, make peace between them with justice and act equitably. Allah surely loves those who act equitably. The believers are but brothers, so make peace between your brothers, and fear Allah so that you may receive mercy.”

Surah al-Hujurāt.

Thus, He did not initially command that rebels be fought. Rather, He commanded that when two groups of believers fight, peace be made between them. This includes both the case in which both groups are transgressing and that in which only one of them is.

He then said:

“If one of them transgresses against the other, then fight the transgressing group until it returns to Allah’s command.”

Regarding His words, “If one of them transgresses against the other, then fight the transgressing group,” it might be said that what is meant is transgression after reconciliation. However, this is contrary to the Quran’s apparent meaning, for His words, “one of them transgresses against the other,” apply to the two groups engaged in fighting, whether peace has been made between them or not. Just as the command