Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib's (as) behaviour towards his Foes (Enemies)

Talha bin Abu Talha was not only a bitter enemy of Islam, but was personal enemy of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) and Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as). His exertions to harm these two and their mission is a legion. In the battle of Uhud he was the flag bearer of the army of Quraish. Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) faced him and in a hand to hand encounter dealt him such a severe blow that he reeled and fell down. Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) left him like that and walked away from him. Many Muslim warriors ran up to Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) and advised him to finish Talha bin Abu Talha, saying that he was Ali's worst enemy, Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) replied:
Enemy or no enemy he cannot defend himself now, and I cannot strike a man who is not in a position to defend himself. If he survives he is welcome to live as long as his life lasts.

Cold Drink for Enemies in Battle of Camel (Jange Jamal)

In the battle of Camel (Jange Jamal) in the thick of the encounter his slave Qambar brought some sweet syrup saying:
My Master the sun is very hot you have been constantly fighting, have a glass of this cold drink to refresh yourself.

Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) looked around himself and replied:

Shall I refresh myself when hundreds of people around me are lying

The Battle of Siffin

Location :	The plains of Siffin located close to the city of Allepo in Syria
When the battle was fought :	1st or 8th of Safar 37 A.H., January 657 AD for about 2 weeks.
Army of Imam Ali(a.s.):	90,000 men
Army of Muawiya :	120,000 men
Casualties:	25,000 from the army of Imam Ali(a.s.) and 45,000 from the army of Muawiya

Background and Reason
Having defeated Hazrat Aisha at the Jang-e-Jamal (Battle of the Camel), Imam Ali(a.s.) returned from Basra to Kufa in Rajab of 36 A.H. (January 657). He decided to transfer the capital of his government to Kufa from Medina because it was more centrally placed in the Muslim Empire, and he could halt Muawiya’s progress into Iraq. However, Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib(a.s.) tried to settle matters peacefully by sending an envoy to Syria. He chose Jarir, who was the chief of Banu Bajila and governor of Hamdan. However, negotiations proved fruitless, and Muawiya's army pledged an oath that they would not wash or sleep a night at home, until the murderers of Uthman were brought to justice. Moreover, they also swore to bring to justice all those who sheltered the murderers - by which they (incorrectly) meant Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib(a.s.) and his followers.

Seeing that war was inevitable, Imam Ali(a.s.) gathered his forces, and, after at first planning to invade Syria from the North, he attacked directly, marching through the Mesopotamian desert. Arriving at Riqqa, on the banks of the Euphrates, the Syrian vanguard was sighted, but it withdrew without engagement. The people of Riqqa were hostile to Imam Ali(a.s.), and his army had great difficulty crossing the river. Eventually the townspeople offered their co-operation. So, finally, the army managed to cross the river, by means of a bridge of boats. Imam Ali(a.s.)'s army then marched along the right bank of the Euphrates, until they came across the Syrian outpost of Sur al-Rum, where there was a brief skirmish, but Imam Ali(a.s.)'s advance was not slowed. So in ZilHijjah 36 A.H. (May 657), the army of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib(a.s.) came into sight of Muawiya’s main forces, which were encamped on the river plain at Siffin.

Historian Yaqubi (2nd vol., p. 188) writes that Imam Ali(a.s.) had 80,000 men, including 70 Companions who participated in Badr, 70 Companions who took oath at Hudaibia, and 400 prominent Ansars and Muhajirs; while Muawiya had 120,000 Syrians.

The fight for the River

Muawiya had stationed his general, Amr ibn al-Aas, with 10,000 men on the river to stop Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib(a.s.)'s army having access to the water and to use water as a weapon. Imam Ali(a.s.) gave command of his army to the general Malik al-Ashtar, who led the attack; after heavy fighting, Amr's forces were dislodged from the river bank. Imam Ali(a.s.) immediately ordered that even though they had the control of the river, men from both sides would have free access to water saying "Our religion and ethical code does not