Start of the Battle

Now the battle had become unavoidable. Muharram had passed. The battle officially commenced on the 1st of Safar 37 AH. For the first six days, battle continued between different groups. Although it was fought at limited level, yet both armies faced a lot of loss. On the seventh day, Wednesday, 7th Safar the battle started fiercely. Both armies fought viciously all day. At dusk the swords were rested.

Next day, the battle started ferociously again and continued even in the night. That night was later famously called as Laylat alHarir. There were piles of dead bodies everywhere. Thousands of women became widows and lakhs of children became orphans. According to an estimate, seventy thousand Muslims were killed in this battle. The army of Ali seemed to be winning that day. When Muawiya realized that his army will certainly loose the battle, he expressed his apprehension to Amr ibn al-As. Amr said, “Nothing to worry, I have already schemed for such situation. We will invite the Iraqis to make Quran the judge between us. This will put them in dilemma. Their army will be divided on whether to agree or disagree to this call and we will be saved from defeat.” Therefore, according to the plan, thousands of Syrians entered the battlefield raising Quran on their spears and started calling:

“O people of Arab! For God‟s sake, strategize to save your children and women from Romans and Iranians. If all Syrians are killed, who will save the people of Arab from the attack of Romans? And if all Iraqis are killed who will save the Arabs from the intrusions of Iranians? It is compulsory for all of us to give respect and reverence to Quran. Agree to the ordain and judgement of this Book.”

The Syrians succeeded in their scheme. Everyone bowed his head on seeing the Quran raised on spears and surrendered saying:

“We agree to the judgement of the Book of Allah.”

On seeing this, Ali got worried. He knew his forces were about to gain triumph and clearly understood the Syrians were plotting a scheme. He tried to convince his people but in vain. Iraqis said, “How is it possible that we reject the call towards the Book of Allah!” Ali had no choice but to surrender. He had realized after seeing the peculiar expressions of people that if they were compelled to fight they would become rebellious and treat him the way they treated Usman. Some people were already uttering such words.

Masar bin al-Fadki and his fellows started shouting that if the battle was not stopped right away, they would suspend Ali. Thus, Ali passed strict orders to call Ashtar back from the battlefield. Ashtar had reached very close to triumph when he came to know the whole situation, he requested Masar to grant some time. But Masar and his fellows got furious and were ready to fight with Ashtar. Ali convinced Ashtar to keep quiet and this was how the battle officially stopped. In the plain of Siffin, gems were drenched in blood and mud. Many honourable Companions of the Holy Prophet were recklessly slaughtered far away from their homeland at the bank of the river Euphrates. The ones whom the Holy Prophet honoured with the certificate of distinction and nobility were lying dead unattended.

The martyrs of Siffin were approximately seventy thousand. They included the emigrants, Ansar, Companions from the Battle of Badr, Companions who had the honour of taking the Pledge of the Tree as well as eminent Companions like Ammar ibn Yasir and Ubaydullah ibn Umar ibn Khattab. The Battle of Siffin is