Writing the Arbitration

Ali: Because he opposed me previously as well. He forbade people in Battle of the Camel to support me and people detached from me.

Ashath: Whatever the case might be, we select him. Ali: I will not make Abu Musa al-Ash‟ari representative from my side. Instead, I suggest Abdullah ibn Abbas. Ashath: How is it possible? He is your relative. We will not make him our representative at all. Ali: Then make Ashtar my representative, he is not my relative. Ashath: Is there no man left on earth other than Ashtar?

Ali: So, you will not make anyone else the representative except Abu Musa.

Ashath: This is our decision, because Abu Musa had the honour of being the Companion of the Holy prophet and Ashtar is deprived of it. Ali: Fine! Do whatever you want! This is how Abu Musa al-Ash‟ari was sent as a representative of Ali.

Amr ibn al-As, the representative of Muawiya, came to the court of Ali to decide the terms of the treaty between the two groups. While writing the treaty, the scriber wrote „Amir al-Mu’minin‟ (Leader of the Believers) with the name of Ali, to which Amr objected and said, “We do not consider him our Caliph so this title should be erased. Ahnaf opposed but Ashath asked the scriber to erase the words. The treaty was worded as follows: “This is the pact that has been written with the mutual agreement between Ali ibn Abi Talib and Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan. Ali