Who Was Upon the Truth in the Fitnah?
Sheikh Dr. Othman al-Khamis analyzes the internal conflict among the Companions during Siffin, Al-Jamal, and Al-Nahrawan. He explains why Ali (RA) was closer to the truth than his opponents, while those who refrained held the safest stance. Muslims are urged to honor all Sahabah, recognize their sincere ijtihad, and guard their tongues against criticism.
Where was the truth regarding what occurred among the Companions?
The Prophet ﷺ said regarding 'Ammar: "He will be killed by the rebellious group."
And this is agreed upon [authentic]. Yes.
'Ammar was killed at the hands of the people of Sham.
Therefore, the scholars said that the people of Sham were the rebellious group.
As Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar said: Ahl al-Sunnah agree that the truth was with 'Ali.
Regarding the Khawarij, the Prophet ﷺ said: "They will emerge at a time
and the group closer to the truth will fight them."
And in another narration: "...the closer of the two groups to the truth."
Both ahadith explicitly state that 'Ali was closer to the truth than his opponents...
...at the Battle of the Camel and Siffin.
However, there is a big difference between being closer to the truth and being completely in the right.
Comparing 'Ali with the People of the Camel and Siffin, we say 'Ali was closer to the truth.
But when we compare 'Ali to those who abstained from fighting, it appears that those who abstained were completely in the right.
So if we divide them into three groups: those who abstained were in the right;
'Ali was closer to the truth than the People of the Camel and Siffin—may Allah be pleased with them all.
So these are the three categories—supported by what evidence?
By the evidence of 'Ali (RA) himself.
'Ali (RA) fought in three battles:
Nahrawan, Siffin, and the Battle of the Camel.
What was 'Ali's attitude toward those battles after they ended?
Thus, you will know where the truth lay.
Ali (RA), after Al-Nahrawan, prostrated to Allah in gratitude,
because he was completely in the right. - Yes.
That is why he prostrated in gratitude; he was joyful.
Did he prostrate after Siffin? He grieved deeply,
and said to his son Al-Hasan, "So many Muslims have been killed!"
Al-Hasan said to him, "I had advised you against it; I had advised you against it."
'Ali said, "I didn't think matters would reach this point."
"I didn't think it would come to this."
He said this regarding Siffin and Al-Jamal.
Ali wept when he saw Talhah lying slain. - Yes.
And he said, "I wish I had died twenty years before this!"
Ali (RA) demonstrated that he was entirely in the right when he fought the people of Al-Nahrawan, which is why he prostrated in gratitude.
Yes. Whereas he grieved after Siffin and wept after Al-Jamal, may Allah be pleased with them all.
This indicates that those who abstained from fighting were, seemingly, completely in the right.
Yes. It remains for us to discuss the martyrdom of our master Ali (RA).
I still have a few points, if you allow me. - Go ahead.
Or would you like to postpone his martyrdom?
As you wish. We have five minutes left. And I had forgotten something...
So that I do not leave unanswered the question of the caller regarding praying next to the Shia.
Leave it for now; save it for the fatwas.
In sha'Allah.
After the fighting, they all regretted it, showing the fighting was not entirely right from every angle.
They all regretted the fighting. 'Ali (RA) regretted it.
Those who died passed unto the mercy of Allah ﷻ, but those who survived regretted it.
And the Prophet ﷺ praised Al-Hasan (RA).
Not for fighting, but for making peace.
He ﷺ said: "This son of mine is a leader, and perhaps Allah will make peace through him between two groups of Muslims."
This was reported in Al-Bukhari. He praised him for making peace, not 'Ali (RA) for fighting.
The praise for 'Ali (RA) was regarding fighting the people of Al-Nahrawan.
That is why 'Ali (RA) performed a prostration of gratitude to Allah ﷻ.
'A'ishah (RA) wept when he was killed.
When she returned,
she wept until her headcover was soaked whenever she recalled what happened in those days.
So the point is,
I am inclined to believe that those who refrained from fighting were entirely upon the truth.
'Ali (RA) was closer to the truth than Mu'awiyah (RA), Talhah (RA), and Al-Zubayr (RA)—may Allah be pleased with them all.
The general rule in these matters is that one should not delve into them except with truth.
And he should always remember the words of Allah ﷻ: "And those who came
“And [there is a share for] those who come after them, saying, "Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and put not in our hearts [any] resentment toward those who have believed. Our Lord, indeed You are Kind and Merciful."” (Quran 59:10)
We speak of 'Ali, Talhah, and Al-Zubayr (RA) only with good,
and of 'A'ishah and Mu'awiyah (RA) only with good.
We mention them only with good—may Allah be pleased with them all.
And all of them fought based on ijtihad, believing they were in the right in this fighting,
and not for worldly gain or leadership. All such talk is false; none of it is proven at all.
This is regarding the fighting that occurred between the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ.
Let us withhold our tongues, as 'Umar ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz (RH) said: "That was a trial from which Allah spared our swords, so let us spare our tongues."
So whoever speaks, let him speak good or remain silent,
and not delve into criticizing the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ—people who have set foot in the Gardens of Delight.
Then some scoundrel nowadays comes along and speaks inappropriate words about them!
So we must recognize the status and standing of the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ,
and that they only fought based on ijtihad, believing that this was the truth.
This is our opinion of them, and this aligns with the saying of Allah ﷻ...
“Certainly was Allāh pleased with the believers when they pledged allegiance to you, [O Muḥammad], under the tree, and He knew what was in their hearts, so He sent down tranquility upon them and rewarded them with an imminent conquest” (Quran 48:18)
Allah ﷻ said: "The first foremost among the Emigrants and Ansar, and those who followed them in goodness..."
“Allāh will say, "This is the Day when the truthful will benefit from their truthfulness." For them are gardens [in Paradise] beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever, Allāh being pleased with them, and they with Him. That is the great attainment.” (Quran 5:119)
“Muḥammad is the Messenger of Allāh; and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating [in prayer], seeking bounty from Allāh and [His] pleasure. Their sign is in their faces from the effect of prostration [i.e., prayer]. That is their description in the Torah. And their description in the Gospel is as a plant which produces its offshoots and strengthens them so they grow firm and stand upon their stalks, delighting the sowers - so that He [i.e., Allāh] may enrage by them the disbelievers. Allāh has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds among them forgiveness and a great reward.” (Quran 48:29)
"...harsh against disbelievers, merciful among themselves."
The verses and ahadith praising them all testify to the purity of their hearts,
so we uphold the purity of their hearts,
and we leave aside anyone who speaks of the Prophet's ﷺ Companions except with good.
May Allah be pleased with all of the Prophet's ﷺ Companions.