Imam Hassan (as) prefers fighting Muawiya over the Khawarij
Ibnul Athir records in his famous book "al-Kamil fi at-Tarikh" volume 3 page 358, Beruit print, Lebanon, Dar al-Ma'rifa
".....Hassan ibn Ali left with intention of giong to Madinah, Muawiya wrote to him inviting him to fight Farwa, the messenger of Muawiya followed him (Imam Hassan) in Qadisiyah or a place near it, but he (Imam Hassan) did not return (to Muawiya) and wrote to Muawiya "If I had to fight someone from the people of al-Qiblah, I would of started by fighting you, the only reason why I chose not to fight you was because I wanted to reform the Ummah and save blood shed"
Scans from the book "al-Kamil fi at-Tarikh" for ibnul Athir
