Imam al-Hasan (AS)s Peace Treaty

Imam Ali (AS) said in his will to his son after he had been struck by Ibn Muljim, ‘Know that Muawiya will oppose you just as he opposed me, and in conciliating and making peace with him, you will be following in the footsteps of your grandfather (AS) when he conciliated with the Bani Aamra and the Bani Ashjaa tribes … and if instead you wish to fight your enemy, know that you will not find any from among your followers willing to make peace alongside you, as your fathers followers did alongside him.

Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘Verily Hasan b. Ali (AS), when he was reproached and opposed by the people for having made peace with Muawiya, people would greet him in the street saying, ‘Peace be upon you O degrader of the believers, and he (AS) would reply, ‘I am not a degrader of the believers, rather I am elevating the believers. Verily when I saw you having no strength to overpower them [Muawiyas army], I made peace in order that you and I may remain alive in their midst, just like the wise one [Al-Khizr] damaged the boat in order that it may be spared for its owners. Thus did I act for yours and my benefit in order that we remain alive among them.