'Verily Hasan b. 'Ali (AS), when he was reproached and opposed by the people for having made peace with Mu'awiya, 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 [Mu'awiya's army], I made peace in order that you and I may remain alive in their midst, just like the wise one [al-Khidr] 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.'