Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 1 of 2

new ideas have been presented by some of our dear brothers in the
study of the period of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, and I have the
strong intention, if Allah (g) wills, to develop these ideas further in
a manner that is in harmony with that brilliant age. We ask Allah (&)
to guide and help us.
I have singled out the fifth of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, al-
Hasan ibn 'Ali ihn Ahi T2ib (&), for a special study because of the
importance of his views, which reflect a deep understanding of how
to run the state in accordance with Sharia and according to a deep
understanding of pros and cons; his unique vision for reforming and
uniting the Ummah by giving up the caliphate to Mu'iwiyah (&);
and the obstacles and calamities he faced while striving to implement
his vision. He had a remarkable ability to lead his pioneering venture
of reconciliation and a resolve to cmy it out, which led to the unity of
the Ummah and the fulfilment of the prophecy of the Prophet (g):
"This son of mine is a leader, and perhaps Allah will reconcile two
groups of the Muslims through With al-Hasan's giving up
the caliphate and swearing allegiance to Mu'iwiyah (may Allah he
pleased with them both), the period of caliphate in the footsteps of the
Prophet came to an end after thirty years. The evidence for that is to
be found in the words of the Messenger of Allah (B): "Caliphate in
the footsteps of the prophets will be for thirty years, then Allah will
give sovereignty to whomever He will,"21 and "Caliphate in my
Ummah will be for thirty years, then it will be kingship after that.""
Ibn Katheer commented on this hadith, saying: "The thirty years
were completed with the caliphate of al-Hasan ibn 'Ali, as he gave up
the caliphate to Mut2wiyah in Rabee' al-Awwal 41 AH, thus
completing exactly thirty years from the death of the Messenger of
Allah (B), as he died in Rabee' al-Awwal ll AH. This is one of the
signs of his prophethood (@)."23 Thus al-Hasan ibn 'Ali(&) was
the fifth Rightly Guided Caliph.