Mu'jam Kabir Tabarani 10543 — Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas

Rib'i bin Hirash (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) sought permission to enter upon Mu'awiyah (may Allah be pleased with him), while the chiefs of the clans of Quraysh were gathered with him, and Sa'id bin al-As was sitting on his right. When Mu'awiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) saw him, he said: O Sa'id! By Allah, I shall put such questions to Ibn Abbas that he will be unable to answer them. Sa'id said to him: A man like Ibn Abbas will not be unable to answer your questions. When he sat down, Mu'awiyah said to him: What do you say about Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him)? He said: "May Allah have mercy on Abu Bakr. By Allah! He was a reciter of the Qur'an, far removed from deviation, heedless of (that is, far from) indecency, a forbidder of evil, knowledgeable of his religion, fearful of Allah, turning away from destructive things, standing (in prayer) by night, fasting by day, safe from (the harm of) his worldly life, firmly resolved on justice towards creation, enjoining what is good, patient upon it, grateful in every state, remembering Allah morning and evening, and overpowering his own self for the sake of what is right. He surpassed his companions and stood out among them in scrupulousness and sufficiency, abstinence and chastity, righteousness and protection, renunciation and self-sufficiency. So Allah has made curses, until the Day of Resurrection, the recompense of whoever disparages him."
Mu'awiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) asked: Then what do you say about Sayyiduna Umar bin al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him)? (Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both)) said: "May Allah have mercy on Abu Hafs. By Allah! He was the ally of Islam, the shelter of orphans, the abode of faith, the refuge of the weak, the fortress of the upright monotheists (hunafa'), a stronghold for creation and a helper for the people. He stood up for the right of Allah with patience and hope of reward, until Allah made the religion prevail through him, conquered lands, and Allah was remembered in every region, at every watering place, on every hill, in every settlement and in every plain. He was full of dignity in the face of evil, grateful in ease and hardship alike, and ever remembering Allah at all times. So Allah has made the curse, until the Day of Regret, the recompense of whoever belittles him."
Mu'awiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) asked: Then what do you say about Sayyiduna Uthman bin Affan (may Allah be pleased with him)? He said: "May Allah have mercy on Abu Amr. By Allah! He was the most honourable of helpers, the most excellent of the righteous, the most patient of reciters, keeping night vigil in the pre-dawn hours, shedding many tears at the remembrance of Allah, constantly reflecting night and day on what would help him, rushing towards every noble deed, hastening towards everything that brings salvation, fleeing from everything that brings ruin, the one of the army (of Usrah) and of the well (of Rumah), and the son-in-law of al-Mustafa (peace and blessings be upon him) through two of his daughters. So Allah has made regret, until the Day of Resurrection, the recompense of whoever reviles him."
Mu'awiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) asked: Then what do you say about Sayyiduna Ali bin Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him)? He said: "May Allah have mercy on Abu al-Hasan. By Allah! He was the banner of guidance, the cave of piety, the abode of intelligence, the mountain of understanding, the lamp of light in the dark nights, a caller to the greatest proof, knowledgeable of what is in the earlier scriptures, upholding interpretation and remembrance, holding fast to the means of guidance, keeping away from oppression and harm, turning aside from the paths of destruction, the best of those who believed and feared Allah, the master of those who wear garments and cloaks, the most excellent of those who performed Hajj and Sa'y, the most generous of those who were just and equitable, and the finest orator of the people of the world except for the prophets and the Chosen Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and the companion of the two qiblahs. Can any monotheist then equal him? He was the husband of the best of women and the father of the two grandsons. My eye has never seen his like, nor will it see until the Resurrection and the Meeting. So whoever curses him, upon him is the curse of Allah and of (His) servants until the Day of Resurrection."
Mu'awiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) asked: Then what do you say about Sayyiduna Talhah and Sayyiduna al-Zubayr (may Allah be pleased with them both)? He said: "May Allah have mercy on them both. By Allah! They were both chaste Muslims, righteous, pure and purified, martyrs and scholars. They made a slip, and Allah, if He wills, will forgive them on account of their early support, their early companionship and their fine deeds."
Mu'awiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) asked: Then what do you say about Sayyiduna Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him)? He said: "May Allah have mercy on Abu al-Fadl. By Allah! He was like a (full) brother of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), the coolness of the eyes of Allah's chosen one, the guardian of peoples and the chief of uncles. He had foresight in affairs and deep insight into outcomes, and knowledge had adorned him. Family honours faded at the mention of his merit, and lineages fell away before the pride of his clan. And why should it not be so, when he was raised by the most honourable of all who walk and breathe upon the earth, Abd al-Muttalib? He was the most worthy of pride among all who walk and ride."
Mu'awiyah asked: Then why was Quraysh given this name? He said: "Because of an animal found in the sea, the most dangerous of the creatures of the sea; whenever it overpowers any creature of the sea, it devours it. So for this reason (the Arabs) were called Quraysh, because they were the greatest of the Arabs in deeds." Mu'awiyah asked: Do you narrate anything about that? So he recited this poetry of al-Jumahi:
"And Quraysh is that which dwells in the sea; after it Quraysh was named Quraysh. It eats the lean and the fat and does not leave a single feather of any two-winged creature. Thus it is written in the Book: the tribe of Quraysh devours the lands entirely. And in the last age there will be a prophet among them who will cause much killing and wounding among them, and his horses and men will overspread the earth, driving their mounts swiftly." Mu'awiyah said: You have spoken the truth, O Ibn Abbas! I bear witness that you are the tongue of your household. When Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) left him, Mu'awiyah said to those sitting with him: Whenever I have spoken with him, I have always found him prepared.