Civil Wars Among The Companions Of The Prophet
What I was trying to process is the fact that the Holy Prophet laid so much emphasis on love, peace and unity, and to restrain from infighting and killing. True, that they too were humans just like us. But they were so close to the Prophet and had directly learnt everything from him. It is just very difficult to digest that even then, they could dare to fight one another because each of them thought that their cause was just. I do not doubt their intent at all. I am sure each of them wished only the best but ends do not justify means. Now that I have given it a lot of thought, perhaps, the only explanation is, as you pointed out, that they were humans at the end of the day. Even with the best of intents, they could have erred in their judgment, might have gotten into misunderstandings and so on. And herein lies the message for all of us, that none but the Prophets are free of errors, and that nobody from amongst our great scholars, jurists, and so on should be given that sacred status. It is only the Quran and the guidance of the Holy Prophet which should be upheld and followed in all circumstances, without any ifs and buts.