Muawiyah ibn Abu Sufyan (Moawiya) was ruling over Syria as its Governor for nearly sixteen (16) years; and was secretly planning to grab the Caliphate taking advantage of every possible opportunity. The best excuse for him to revolt against the Central authority and declare his own caliphate was the third caliph Othman bin Affan's murder. He had not done any thing concerning the appeals of caliph Othman bin Affan for help, during his lifetime. In fact, he was waiting for him to be murdered, so that he could make it an excuse for his scheme. Caliph Othman bin Affan (Osman bin Affan) got murdered and Muawiyah immediately sought to exploit the situation for his own purpose.

On the other hand, people after the murder of caliph Othman bin Affan rallied behind Imam Ali (a.s.) (who because of various reasons, was reluctant to take the responsibility of Caliphate) and declared their allegiance to him. Observing that the responsibility was now formally turned to him, Imam Ali (a.s.) accepted it and his Caliphate was proclaimed in Medina, the capital and centre of Muslim world in those days. All provinces of Islamic government submitted to his obedience - with the exception of Syria, which was under Muawiyah. He refused allegiance to Imam Ali (a.s.), accusing him of sheltering the murders of caliph Othman bin Affan. Muawiyah recruited a large number of Syrian soldiers and made preparation for the declaration of independence of his provinces.

After settling the issue of the battle of Camel (JAMAL), Imam Ali (a.s.) turned his attention to Muawiyah. He wrote several letters to him, but in vain. Both sides moved their armies towards each another (SIFFIN). Abul Aawar Salmi was leading Muawiyah's advanced battalion and Malik Ashtar was in command of the advanced battalion of Imam Ali (a.s.). They met at the bank of the Euphrates. Imam Ali's directive to Malik Ashtar was not to be the first to attack. But Abul Aawar Salmi made a severe attack to intimidate the soldiers of Imam Ali (a.s.). Malik Ashtar then pushed the Syrians far behind. Abul Aawar Salmi now thought of another tactics. He reached the Ghat, i.e. the slope on bank of the Euphrates, which was the only spot convenient to fetch water. Abul Aawar Salmi deployed his spearmen and archers to guard the spot and prevent Malik Ashtar and his company from coming near it. Soon after, Muawiyah himself arrived with a large army. Happy at the strategy of his commander he further increased the number of the soldiers guarding the approach to river. Soldiers of Imam Ali (a.s.) were put in distress owing to the shortage of water. Muawiyah with pleasure said: "This is our first Victory." Only one man, Amr bin Al-Aas, the shrewd minister of Muawiyah did not think it a good policy. On the other side, Imam Ali (a.s.) himself had arrived and was informed of the situation. He sent a letter with Sasha bin Suhan, one of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (saw) to Muawiyah notifying:

"We have come here, but as far as possible we do not like to wage a war of fratricide between the Muslims. We earnestly hope to settle our differences through negotiations and discussions. But we observe that you and your followers have started using weapons of destruction before trying anything else. Besides, you have denied water on my companions. Instruct them to desist from this act, so that we can start negotiations. Of course, if you do not like anything but war, we are not afraid of it."

Muawiyah consulted his advisor. The general opinion was to take advantage of the golden opportunity and ignore the letter. Only Amr bin Al-Aas against this view. He said, "You are mistaken." The fact is that Imam Ali (a.s.) and his men do not want to start the war themselves, and it is because of this that they are silent at present and have tried to dissuade you from your scheme through this letter. Do not think they will retreat if you ignore their letter and continue denying them the water. Because then they will take out arms and will not stop till they have driven you away from Euphrates with disgrace." But the majority of advisors were of the opinion that the denial of water would weaken the enemy compelling them to retreat. Muawiyah personally was in favor of this idea. Discussion came to end; Sasha bin Suhan, one of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (saw) asked for the reply; Muawiyah, using the delaying tactics, said that he would send the reply afterwards. Meanwhile, he ordered his soldiers guarding water to be extra alert and to prevent coming and going of the soldiers of Imam Ali (a.s.).

Imam Ali (a.s.) was distressed at this development, because it brought to an end every hope of any amicable settlement through talks and negotiations, and showed that the opposite side was devoid of every goodwill. Now, the only way out was to use force. Imam Ali (a.s.) stood before his soldiers and delivered a short but forceful address, the contents of which were as follows:

"These people have started oppression, and opened the door of conflict and welcomed you with hostility. They are hungry for war and are demanding war and bloodshed from you. They have denied you water. Now you have to choose between the two paths. There is no third course. Either accept the humiliation and oppression or remain thirsty as you are, or satisfy your thirsty swords with their dirty bloods so that you may quench your thirst with the sweet water. Death is to live a defeated and disgraceful life; and Life is to be victorious even at the cost of death. Verily, Muawiyah has gathered around him some ignorant and misguided mob; and is taking advantage of their ignorance, so that they are making their necks targets of the arrows of death."

This address moved the soldiers of Imam Ali (a.s.) and stirred their blood. They made a severe attack and pushed the enemy far back and took the possession of (Shariah) Ghat.

Amir bin Al-Aas (whose forecast was now a fact) said to Muawiyah: "Now, if Imam Ali (a.s.) and his army pay you with your own coin what will you do? Can you take possession of the (Shariah) Ghat from them for the second time?" Muawiyah said, "In your opinion, how will Imam Ali (a.s.) deal with us now?"

"I believe, Imam Ali (a.s.) will not behave as you had done. He will not deny us water. He has not come here for such deeds."

The soldiers of Imam Ali (a.s.) after removing the soldiers of Muawiyah from Ghat, asked his permission to prevent the enemy from taking water. Imam Ali (a.s.) said, "Don't deny them water. These are the methods of ignorant. I do not set my hands to such acts. I am going to start negotiation with them on the basis of the Holy Book of God. If they accept my proposals, well and good; and if they refuse, I shall fight with them, but gentlemanly not by denying them water. I will never do such thing and will not oppress them by shortage of water."

Not long afterwards soldiers of Muawiyah used to come to the Ghat side by side with the soldiers of Imam Ali (a.s.), and nobody prevented them.

After the martyrdom of Imam Ali (a.s.) and absolute domination of Muawiyah over the Caliphate, willy-nilly contacts were taking place between him and the sincere followers of Imam Ali (a.s.). He tried hard to make them confess that they did not gain anything by their friendship with Imam Ali (a.s.). Obviously they had lost everything on the altar of that friendship. He longed to hear from their mouth at least some expression of regret and remorse, but this wish never materialized. The followers of Imam Ali (a.s.), after his martyrdom, had become more and more aware of his virtues and greatness. Whatever their sacrifices during his lifetime, now they were doing more for his love, for his principles and for keeping his mission alive. They were facing all kinds of hardship very courageously. And, as a result, the endeavors of Muawiyah sometimes produced opposite results.

Adi son of Hatim, the paramount chief of the Tai Tribe, was one of the devoted, sincere and knowledgeable followers of Imam Ali (a.s.). He had many sons. He, his sons and his tribe were always ready to sacrifice their all for Imam Ali (a.s.). His three sons named Tarfa, Turaif and Tarif were martyred in the battle of Siffin under the banner of Imam Ali (a.s.). The time went on; Imam Ali (a.s.) was martyred; Muawiyah usurped the Caliphate; and once Adi came face to face with Muawiyah.

To revive his sad memories and to make him confess how much harm had come to him in the friendship of Imam Ali (a.s.), Muawiyah said:

"What happened to your three sons, Tarfa, Turaif and Tarif?"

"They were martyred in the battle of Siffin under the banner of Imam Ali (a.s.)."

"Imam Ali (a.s.) did not do justice to you."

"Why?", asked Adi son of Hatim.

"Because he threw your sons in the mouth of death and preserved his own sons in safety."

"I did not do justice to Imam Ali (a.s.)."

"Why?", asked Muawiyah.

"Because he was killed and I am still alive. I ought to have sacrificed myself for him in his lifetime."

Muawiyah saw that he was not getting what he had aimed at. On the other side, he also wanted to hear about the character and life of Imam Ali (a.s.) from those who had been nearer to Imam Ali (a.s.) and had lived with him day in and day out. Therefore, he asked Adi son of Hatim to narrate to him the character of Imam Ali (a.s.) as he had seen it. Adi son of Hatim asked to be excused; but Muawiyah insisted and then Adi son of Hatim said.

"By God, Imam Ali (a.s.) was the most far-sighted and strong man. He talked with righteousness and decided the cases with clarity. He was an ocean of knowledge and wisdom. He hated the worldly pomp and show, and liked the solitude of night. He wept more (in love of Allah) and thought more (about Allah). In solitude, he scrutinized his own self and pitied about the past. He preferred short clothes and simple life. Amongst us he was like one of us. If we requested him for anything he granted our request. When we visited him he made us sit near him without keeping any distance. Inspite of all this humbleness, his presence was so awe-inspiring that we did not dare utter any words before him. Imam Ali (a.s.) was so majestic that we could not look at him. When he smiled his teeth appeared like a string of pearls. He respected honest and pious people and was kind to indigent. Neither a strong man had any fear of injustice from him, nor a weak person ever lost hope of his justice. By God, one night I saw him standing in his place of worship when the dark night had engulfed everything; tears were rolling down on his face and beard; he was restless like a snake-bitten person and was weeping like a bereaved man."

"It seems as if even now I am hearing his voice as he was addressing the world: 'O World, thou is coming towards me and want to lure me? Go deceive someone else. Thy time is not come. I have divorced thee thrice after when there is no return. Thy pleasure is valueless and thy importance insignificant. Alas! The provision is too little, the journey too long and there is no companion."

Hearing these words of Adi son of Hatim, Muawiyah started crying, and then wiping off the tears, he said:

"May God bless Abul Hassan (Imam Ali (a.s.)). He was as you have said. Now tell me how do you feel without him?"

"I feel like a mother whose dear one is beheaded in her lap."

"Wouldn't you ever forget him?"

"Would the world allow me to forget him?"