Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 32598 — Reports on talk about rulers

Abd al-Rahman bin Ismah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: I was with Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) when a messenger came to her from Sayyiduna Mu'awiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) bringing a gift, and he said: "The Commander of the Believers has sent this." Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) accepted it. When the messenger had left, we said: "O Mother of the Believers, are we not believers, and is he not our Commander?" She replied: "You, if Allah wills, are believers, and he is your Commander."