In an interview with Hawzah News Agency, Fatemeh Taghizadeh described Imam Hassan’s decision as an example of “the highest level of crisis management,” comparable to the Treaty of Hudaybiyah signed by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), which eventually paved the way for the conquest of Mecca and the spread of Islam.
“Crisis management means directing affairs toward a controllable path and ensuring the least damage to society,” Taghizadeh explained, noting that during times of crisis, religious leaders often bear the heaviest responsibility.
She pointed out that when Imam Hassan (AS) assumed leadership of the Islamic community, the society was deeply divided, plagued by materialism, weakened by foreign influences, and still bearing the wounds of internal conflict from the era of Imam Ali (AS). Despite initially preparing to fight Muawiyah, the Imam’s army collapsed due to betrayal and intrigue.
According to Taghizadeh, Muawiyah bribed Ubaydullah ibn Abbas, one of the Imam’s commanders, who deserted the battlefield at night. Later, rumors spread about Imam Hassan’s alleged willingness to make peace, further undermining morale. “In such conditions, Imam Hassan (AS) faced certain death if war continued—precisely what Muawiyah wanted, to erase the name of true Islam,” she said.
She emphasized that Imam Hassan (AS), committed to divine principles, refused to employ Muawiyah’s corrupt methods. Instead, he chose a ceasefire not as surrender, but as a strategic step to safeguard the Quran and the Islamic school. Citing verse 15 of Surah al-Anfal, she explained that retreat is permissible only if it serves the purpose of striking a stronger blow.
“By opting for peace, Imam Hassan (AS) preserved Islam and prepared the ground for future uprisings—most importantly, the movement of Imam Hussein (AS)—which ultimately ensured the survival of Islam,” Taghizadeh said.
She added that Imam Hassan’s decision offers a timeless lesson: “Do not fear the taunts of enemies. Choose the path of truth, even at the cost of personal honor, if it ensures the protection of Islam and the Muslim community.”
Taghizadeh concluded by stressing the relevance of this approach today: “It is the duty of Muslims to stand behind the Imam of their time, to act with wisdom, to recognize the enemy, and to take steps that inflict the least harm on Islam while delivering the greatest blow to the adversary.”
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