Imam al-Sha'bi said: When Sayyiduna Umar bin al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) sent the first expedition to Kufah, he sent Sayyiduna Abu Ubaydah al-Thaqafi Abu al-Mukhtar (may Allah be pleased with him) in it, and he was martyred. Then he sent Sayyiduna Sa'd bin Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him), and he remained there for five years; then Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) removed him from his post. Then he sent Sayyiduna Ammar bin Yasir (may Allah be pleased with him), and he remained for one year; then he removed him from his post. Then he sent Sayyiduna al-Mughirah bin Shu'bah (may Allah be pleased with him), and he remained there for one year; then Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was martyred. When Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) became caliph, he sent Sayyiduna Sa'd bin Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him) to Kufah, and he remained there for one year; then Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) removed him from his post. Then Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) sent Sayyiduna al-Walid bin Uqbah (may Allah be pleased with him), and he remained governor there for five years; then he removed him from his post. Then Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) sent Sayyiduna Sa'id bin al-As (may Allah be pleased with him), and he remained governor there for five years; then he removed him from that post. Then he sent Sayyiduna Abu Musa al-Ash'ari (may Allah be pleased with him) there, and he remained governor there for one year; then he removed him from his post. Then Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) was martyred, and then the tribulation (fitnah) began.
When the caliphate of Sayyiduna Mu'awiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) began, he appointed Sayyiduna al-Mughirah bin Shu'bah (may Allah be pleased with him) governor of Kufah, and he held that post for four years; then he passed away. Then Sayyiduna Mu'awiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) appointed Ziyad as governor of Kufah; he remained for four years, then he died. Then he sent Sayyiduna al-Dahhak bin Qays (may Allah be pleased with him), and he remained governor for three years; then he removed him from his post. Then he sent Sayyiduna al-Nu'man bin Bashir (may Allah be pleased with him), and he remained governor for four months. Then Sayyiduna Mu'awiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) passed away and the tribulation came, and then the affair of Sayyiduna Muslim bin Aqil (may Allah be pleased with him) and his companions took place.
Al-Tabarani recorded it; its chain contains more than one da'if (weak) narrator who has nevertheless been declared trustworthy.
Hadith Referenceمجمع الزوائد ومنبع الفوائد / كتاب المناقب / 16342
Hadith Gradingمحدثین:إسنادہ ضعیف
Hadith Takhrij«اخرجه الطبراني فى المعجم الكبير (367/20)»