ABSTRACT
HASSAN, the eldest son of Ali, was elected to the vacant Caliphate by the unanimous suffrage of KUfa and its dependencies, but the inconstancy of the volatile people that had wrecked the hopes of the father soon drove the son to abdication. Hardly had the new Caliph been seated on the pontifical throne when Muawiyah invaded Irak. Hassan was thus compelled to take the field before he had either strengthened himself in his position or organised the administration thrown into confusion by the death of his father. Sending forward a general of the name of Kais to hold the Syrians at bay, he proceeded with his main force to Madain. Here a false report of the defeat and death of Kais excited a mutiny among the young Caliph's troops; they broke into his camp, plundered his effects, and even thought of seizing his person and making him over to the enemy. Thoroughly disheartened, Hassan retraced his steps towards KUfa,
his Irakian supporters, so lavish of promise, so faithless A.lI., in performance, led him to lend a willing ear to the proposals of Muawiyah. The negotiations resulted in a treaty by which the Caliphate was assigned to Muawiyah Abdicates for life; upon his death it was to devolve on Hussain, cal~~hate. the younger son of Ali. After his abdication Hassan retired with his family to Medina, but did not long' enjoy the pension secured to him under the compact, as'many years did not pass before he was poisoned at the instigation of Yezid the son of Muawiyah.
