Muhammad Hassan Qadrdan Qaramelki
This article introduces a thorough examination of the causes of the three battles which Imam Ali fought against Muslims. It stresses the idea that the battles, which menaced the new born government, were imposed upon him. The writer attributes the "Battle of the Camel" to three reasons: 1. Talhah and Zubayrs ambition to become rulers; 2. their impatience of Imam Alis justice; 3. Aishahs claim to avange Uthmans assassination. He also stresses the idea that Imam Ali had made hard efforts to aviod shedding blood. Referring to relaible narrations (riwayat),the writer develops his argument to prove the legality of Imam Alis front.
A review of the second and third battles, i.e. Siffin and Nahrawan, shows that Imam Ali had, before each battle, tried to extinguish the fire of war, but Muawiyas obstinacy and the outrage and mutiny of the Khawarij blocked the way to peace. This verifies that the second and the third battles, like the Camel Battle, were imposed upon him.
Shortly after the prophet had been endowed with the Divine gift of prophecy, Meccan aristocrats and capitalists commenced their rival encounter with the prophet and his Divine movement, especially in the period between the third year after the prophetic mission and the time when Muslims seized Mecca. In other words, the prophet had suffered from pressure of different forms for nearly eight years. Under the particular circumstances of that epoch, propaganda exerted very strong influence.
In an attempt to review the different forms of propaganda activities, the writer, who elaborates on his argument with reference to authentic Islamic history books, concludes that seven types of propaganda activities have been
Abstracts.
1. Attempting to draw Abu Talib, the chief of Bani Hashim clan, towards compromise.
2. Making use of the art of story - telling and narration.
3. Making use of poems, ballads, songs, and slogans.
4. Co - operating with Jewish clerics.
5. Pursuing the policy of unjust perscution and defaming of poeple.
6. Urging people to abandon the Messenger of God (Peace be upon him and his Household).
7. Giving distorted view of Islam and showing disdain for the noble Messenger of God and his followers.
This article provides an overall comparison of the ideological and political positions of the non - religious enlightened groups in the second and the third decade following the Islamic Revolation with the thoughts and stratagems of the liberal enlightened people who supported the constitutional movement in Iran. The writer first goes over the ideas, activities and personal characteristics of Mirza Fath - Ali Akhondzade and Mirza Melkum Khan Nadum al - Dawlah, two leading constitutionalists who adopted western views, moves to explain how they stood against religious powers and then concludes that there is a strong similarity between the goals, the strategy and the views of these two leading constitutionalists, who played a major role in the secularization of the constitutional movement in Iran, and the thoughts and stratagems of the non - religious enlightened groups in the second and the third decade following the Islamic Revolution. The writer attracts the attention to the stratagems of libral groups and urges religious organizations to take practical actions in order to thwart liberal groups hopes.