Volume 9, Book 88, Number 225:
Narrated Al-Hasan Al-Basri:
When Al-Hasan bin ‘Ali moved with army units against Muawiya, ‘Amr bin AL-As said to Muaw –
iya, “I see an army that will not retreat unless and until the opposing army retreats.” Muawiya said,
“(If the Muslims are killed) who will look after their children?” ‘Amr bin Al-As said: I (will look after
them). On that, ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amir and ‘Abdur-Rahman bin Samura said, “Let us meet Muawaiya
and suggest peace.” Al-Hasan Al-Basri added: No doubt, I heard that Abu Bakra said, “Once while the
Prophet was addressing (the people), Al-Hasan (bin ‘Ali) came and the Prophet said, ‘This son of mine
is a chief, and Allah may make peace between two groups of Muslims through him.”
Volume 3, Book 49, Number 867:
Narrated Al-Hasan Al-Basri:
By Allah, Al-Hasan bin Ali led large battalions like mountains against Muawiya. Amr bin Al-As
said (to Muawiya), “I surely see battalions which will not turn back before killing their opponents.”
Muawiya who was really the best of the two men said to him, “O ‘Amr! If these killed those and those
killed these, who would be left with me for the jobs of the public, who would be left with me for
their women, who would be left with me for their children?” Then Muawiya sent two Quraishi men
from the tribe of ‘Abd-i-Shams called ‘Abdur Rahman bin Sumura and Abdullah bin ‘Amir bin Kura –
iz to Al-Hasan saying to them, “Go to this man (i.e. Al-Hasan) and negotiate peace with him and talk
and appeal to him.” So, they went to Al-Hasan and talked and appealed to him to accept peace. Al-
Hasan said, “We, the offspring of ‘Abdul Muttalib, have got wealth and people have indulged in
killing and corruption (and money only will appease them).” They said to Al-Hasan, “Muawiya offers
you so and so, and appeals to you and entreats you to accept peace.” Al-Hasan said to them, “But who
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SAHIH BUKHARI VOLUME 3 > BOOK 49: PEACEMAKING
will be responsible for what you have said?” They said, “We will be responsible for it.” So, what-ever
Al-Hasan asked they said, “We will be responsible for it for you.” So, Al-Hasan concluded a peace
treaty with Muawiya. Al-Hasan (Al-Basri) said: I heard Abu Bakr saying, “I saw Allah’s Apostle on the
pulpit and Al-Hasan bin ‘Ali was by his side. The Prophet was looking once at the people and once at
Al-Hasan bin ‘Ali saying, ‘This son of mine is a Saiyid (i.e. a noble) and may Allah make peace
between two big groups of Muslims through him.”