Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 2 of 2

208 The Battles of the Camel and Siffeen, and the issue of arbitration
7. Both arbitrators are to be granted safety and security when they
give their verdict. Their lives, wealth, hair, skin, families and children
are safe as long as they do not transgress the limits, no matter who
agrees or disagrees with them, and the Ummah should support their
verdict, which is based on the Book of Allah.
8. If one of the two arbitrators dies before reaching a verdict, his party
has the right to appoint someone else in his place from among the
people of good character and piety, on the same basis as the covenant
to which his predecessor agreed.
9. If one of the two leaders dies before the set time for deciding this
matter ends, his group may appoint a man in his place with whose
character they are pleased.
10. The two parties agree, with immediate effect, to engage in
negotiations and lay down their weapons.
11. What we have mentioned in this document is binding with
immediate effect on the two leaders, the two arbitrators and the two
parties. Allah is the best of witnesses and is sufficient witness. If they
transgress the limits, then the Ummah has nothing to do with their
verdict, and their covenant is to be rejected.
12. The people are safe; their lives, families, children and wealth are
safe until the end of the set period. Weapons are to be laid aside, the
roads are to be safe, and anyone of either party who is absent is like
those who are present in this regard.
13. The two arbitrators may stay in a place in the middle between the
two camps of the people of Iraq and Syria.
14. No one should attend their meetings except with the approval of
both arbitrators.
15. The set time for reaching a verdict is the end of the month of
Ramadan. If the two arbitrators decide to reach a verdict earlier, then