Re: Ali a.s or mavia
personally i think neutrality is not an option in intra-muslim conflict as it only makes matter worse and Quran 49:9 tells us first to seek peace between 2 parties and if one party rebels to strenghten the party amongst the muslims who is wronged and fight the rebels until they submit to God's command
*If two parties among the Believers fall into a quarrel, make ye peace between them: but if one of them transgresses beyond bounds against the other then fight ye (all) against the one that transgresses until it complies with the command of Allah; but if it complies then make peace between them with justice and be fair: for Allah loves those who are fair (and just). *49:9
Brother *Das Reich *– Neutrality is a valid option – To make peace between two quarreling parties of the Believers one has to have the ability and at least moral authority.
You can clearly see from Hz. Ali (ra) sermon that matters were very chaotic and confused. Nobody seemed to in complete control. The agitators had made Madinah unsafe for it’s citizens.
The situation and events were so fluid and crises were followed by more crisis. To make peace between two quarreling parties in such chaotic times there was no neutral personality under whom such ‘working group’ could be set up to organise peace talks.
And then such ‘working group’ has to have strength and ability to fight against the one who transgressed.
The role played by Ibn Saba is a fact and should not be denied or down played