Imam Nasa'i did not believe in the virtue of Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan, and therefore he did not include any hadith regarding the virtue of Muawiyah رضي الله عنه in the chapter of the virtues of the Companions in his book
Reference: (Sunan Nasa'i)
.Regarding the Companions of the Prophet, two types of virtues are mentioned in the Quran and Hadith:
General Virtues of the Companions
General virtues are granted to every great personality who saw the Prophet ﷺ in a state of faith and died in a state of faith. For that pure soul who had the honor of being in the company of Allah’s Messenger ﷺ, even if no other specific virtue is proven, it does not matter because their connection is established with those pure souls who, after the Prophets, are the most sacred personalities on earth. This is the group for whom Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, has promised Paradise.
وَكُلًّا وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الْحُسْنَىٰ
Translation: And Allah has promised them a good reward.
This is the group about whom Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, said:
رَضِىَ ٱللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُواْ عَنْهُ
Translation: Allah Almighty was pleased with them, and they were pleased with Him.
Special Virtues of the Companions
This means that among the group of Companions, there is a specific virtue mentioned in the Quran and Hadith about some individuals, such as the group of Ashra Mubashra who were given the glad tidings of Paradise in one gathering, those who participated in the Battle of Uhud, those who took the Pledge of Ridwan, and the Ahl al-Bayt who have special virtues mentioned. Similarly, some Companions were granted individual virtues, such as Abu Ubaidah bin Jarrah (may Allah be pleased with him) being declared the trustworthy of this Ummah.
Some people give the impression that there is no special virtue mentioned for Sayyiduna Muawiyah, which implies that he did not have a special status or rank among the Companions.
If any special virtue is attributed to any companion among the companions, although it partially distinguishes that companion from others, all are equal in terms of being companions. Similarly, among the Prophets, some Prophets have been given special virtues, such as Musa Kalimullah and Ibrahim Khalilullah, while for some Prophets no special virtue is mentioned in the Shariah, such as Zakariya (peace be upon him).
Those Prophets who have been given special virtues and those who have not, all are equal in terms of being Prophets.
From this, it is understood that even if no special virtue is attributed to Sayyiduna Muawiyah, the status of companionship alone is sufficient for his virtue.
As far as the denial of any special virtue of Muawiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) by the Salaf is concerned, some doubts are raised, the explanation of which is presented in the following lines:
First Doubt
It is attributed to Imam Ishaq bin Rahwayh (may Allah have mercy on him):
لا يصح عن النبي في فضل معاوية شيء
Translation: Nothing authentic has been transmitted from the Prophet ﷺ regarding the virtue of Muawiyah.
Answer to the Doubt
Attributing this statement to Ishaq bin Rahwayh is not correct because in its chain of narration, Yaqub bin Yusuf bin Muqil Abu Fazl Nishapuri is an unknown narrator
Reference: (unknown)
. See:
Reference: Tarikh al-Islam by Imam Dhahabi (6/643)
.Imam Ibn Asakir has narrated the statement of Imam Ishaq and then refuted it. His words are:
وأصح ما روي في فضل معاوية رضی اللہ عنہ حديث أبي حمزة، عن ابن عباس رضی اللہ عنہما أنه كاتبُ النبي صلی الله عليه وسلم، فقد أخرجه مسلمٌ في "صحيحه”، وبعده حديث العرباض: "اللهم علمه الكتاب”، وبعده حديث ابن أبي عميرة: "اللهم اجعله هاديًا مهديًّا
Reference: (Tarikh Dimashq 59/106)
Translation: The most authentic hadith regarding the virtue of Sayyiduna Muawiyah رضي الله عنه is the one narrated by Imam Muslim from Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما that he was the scribe of the Prophet ﷺ since he embraced Islam, then after that is the hadith of Sayyiduna Arbad رضي الله عنه: "O Allah! Grant Muawiyah رضي الله عنه the knowledge of the Book," then after that is the hadith of Abdur Rahman bin Abi Umayrah: "O Allah! Make Muawiyah رضي الله عنه guided and a cause of guidance for others."
Second Doubt
An incident is attributed to Imam Nasai, the summary of which is that according to him, there is no authentic hadith in praise of Sayyiduna Muawiyah رضي الله عنه, and it is sufficient for him to protect himself from questioning.
Response to the Doubt
This is also worth considering because Allama Ibn Asakir, after quoting this statement of Imam Nasai, said that it does not prove that Imam Nasai had a bad opinion of Sayyiduna Muawiyah رضي الله عنه; rather, the purpose of this statement is to remain silent about him. After that, he quoted Imam Nasai as saying that when he was asked about Sayyiduna Muawiyah رضي الله عنه, he replied:
إنما الإسلامُ كدارٍ لها باب، فبابُ الإسلام الصحابة، فمن آذى الصحابة إنما أراد الإسلام، كمن نقر الباب إنما يريد دخول الدار، قال: فمن أراد معاوية فإنما أراد الصحابة
Reference: (Tarikh Dimashq 71/175)
Translation: Islam is like a house with one door. The Companions of the Prophet are the door to Islam. Whoever harms the Companions intends to target Islam. Just as someone who knocks on a door intends to enter the house, similarly, whoever objects to Muawiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) intends to object to the Companions.
Third Doubt
It is said that Imam Bukhari mentioned in
Reference: "Al-Jami' al-Sahih"
in the section on the virtues of the Companions:
Reference: (Chapter mentioning Muawiyah, may Allah be pleased with him)
from which some people get the impression that if there had been any authentic hadith regarding the merits of Sayyiduna Muawiyah (may Allah be pleased with him), he would have mentioned it, and like other chapters, he would have titled it
Reference: (Chapter on the merits of Muawiyah, may Allah be pleased with him)
or
Reference: (Chapter on the virtues of Muawiyah, may Allah be pleased with him)
.Answer to the Doubt
This impression is not correct because Imam Bukhari has mentioned others besides them
Reference: (Chapter on mentioning Al-Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib, may Allah be pleased with him; Chapter on mentioning Talha bin Ubaidullah, may Allah be pleased with him; Chapter on mentioning Usama bin Zaid, may Allah be pleased with him; Chapter on mentioning Mus'ab bin Umair, may Allah be pleased with him; and Chapter on mentioning Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him)
and others under different headings. Is there no authentic hadith in their virtues as well?!Hafiz Ibn Hajar has written that Imam Bukhari, based on the statement of his teacher Imam Ishaq that there is no authentic hadith in the merits of Sayyiduna Muawiyah, may Allah be pleased with him, refrained from mentioning a chapter on his merits.
Reference: Fath al-Bari:104/7
Whereas Imam Bukhari has brought hadith regarding the virtue of Muawiyah, may Allah be pleased with him, in his book
Reference: “Al-Jami' al-Sahih” (2924)
:أول جيش من أمتي يغزون البحر قد أوجبوا
Translation: The first army of my Ummah that will fight jihad by crossing the river, Paradise will be obligatory for them.
And Hafiz Ibn Hajar himself has narrated:
هذا الحديث منقبة لمعاوية لأنه أول من غزا البحر
Reference: (Fath al-Bari:102/6)
Translation: This hadith highlights the virtues of Sayyiduna Muawiyah رضي الله عنه because he was the first to engage in naval jihad.
After the previous explanations, observe the virtues and merits of Sayyiduna Muawiyah رضي الله عنه in the light of authentic hadiths:
Virtues and Merits of Sayyiduna Muawiyah رضي الله عنه
◄ Sayyiduna Muawiyah رضي الله عنه was the first to take command of the naval fleet in the path of Allah:
The honorable saying of the Prophet ﷺ is:
أَوَّلُ جَيْشٍ مِنْ أُمَّتِي يَغْزُونَ البَحْرَ قَدْ أَوْجَبُوا
Reference: (Sahih Bukhari:2924)
Translation: The first group of my Ummah who will engage in naval jihad, Paradise becomes obligatory for them.
Reference: (Forgiveness and Paradise)
Hafiz Ibn Hajar رحمه الله says:
قوله: "قد أوجبوا”، أي: فعلوا فعلا وجبت لهم به الجنة
Reference: (Fath al-Bari 6/103)
Translation: The Prophet ﷺ’s statement "Paradise becomes obligatory" means that they performed such a righteous deed that Paradise became obligatory for them.
From this hadith, it is understood that the first army to achieve the honor of naval jihad is destined for Paradise, and it is unanimously agreed upon by the Ummah that the commander of this army was Sayyiduna Muawiyah رضي الله عنه.
Reference: Al-Tamhid li Ibn Abd al-Barr (1/242)
.◄ Prayers of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for Sayyiduna Muawiyah رضي الله عنه:
Sayyiduna Abdur Rahman bin Abi Umayrah narrates that the Prophet ﷺ said about Sayyiduna Muawiyah رضي الله عنه:
اللهم اجعله هاديا مهديا واهد به ولا تعذبه
Reference: (Jami` at-Tirmidhi:3842, Al-Tarikh al-Kabir by Al-Bukhari 7/326, Musnad Ahmad:117892, As-Silsilah As-Saheehah:1969)
Translation: O Allah, guide him and make him guided, and guide humanity through him, and save him from punishment.
Sayyiduna Arbad bin Sariyah رضي الله عنه narrates, I heard the Prophet ﷺ say about Sayyiduna Muawiyah رضي الله عنه:
اللهم علم معاوية الكتاب والحساب وقه العذاب
Reference: (Musnad Ahmad:17152, Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah:1938, Sahih Ibn Hibban:7210)
Translation: O Allah! Teach Muawiyah the interpretation of the Noble Qur'an and arithmetic, and save him from punishment.
◄ Sayyiduna Muawiyah رضي الله عنه had the honor and distinction of being a scribe of revelation.
Imam Bayhaqi narrated with a sound chain from Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما:
كان يكتب الوحي
Reference: (Dala'il an-Nubuwwah:6/243)
Translation: Sayyiduna Muawiyah رضي الله عنه was a scribe of revelation.
◄ Sayyiduna Muawiyah رضي الله عنه was informed by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ during his lifetime about the glad tidings of the leadership of the Muslims and the difficulties that would arise in it.
Sayyiduna Muawiyah رضي الله عنه was once performing ablution for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ when the Prophet ﷺ raised his blessed head once or twice and said:
يا معاوية! إن وليت أمرا فاتق الله واعدل
Reference: (Musnad Ahmad:16933, Musnad Abu Ya'la:7342)
Translation: O Muawiyah! If you are made a leader, then fear Allah and be just.
Sayyiduna Muawiyah رضي الله عنه says that since I heard this from you ﷺ, I thought that I would be tested in this caliphate and leadership.
Moreover, Sayyiduna Jabir bin Samurah رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
لا يزال هذا الدين قائما حتى يكون عليكم اثنا عشر خليفة كلهم تجتمع عليه الأمة
Reference: (Sunan Abu Dawood:4279)
Translation: This religion will remain established and dominant until there will be twelve caliphs over you, all of whom the Ummah will unite upon.
The period of the Rashidun Caliphate has been stated by the Prophet ﷺ as thirty years, which completes with the caliphate of Sayyiduna Hasan رضي الله عنه. After that, the Prophet ﷺ said that there will be an era of monarchy, which begins with Sayyiduna Muawiyah رضي الله عنه. The Prophet ﷺ has also called the rulers and governors after the
Reference: (Khilafat al-Nubuwwah)
caliphate as caliphs in this hadith, even though they were kings and not successors of the Prophets. This means it is permissible to call them caliphs, and this hadith also states that تجتمع عليه الأمة the Ummah will be united in their caliphate.From all these hadiths, the special virtue and status of Sayyiduna Muawiyah رضي الله عنه among the Companions becomes as clear as daylight. Denying these hadiths is a denial of a clear and obvious reality which no wise person can dare to do. Moreover, Sayyiduna Muawiyah رضي الله عنه has the honor of companionship, which is the greatest virtue and distinction in this Ummah.
In this way, special chapters have been established in the books of the beliefs of the pious predecessors regarding the virtues of Hazrat Muawiyah رضي الله عنه. For example, Imam Abu Bakr Muhammad bin Al-Husayn Al-Ajri
Reference: (died 360 AH)
dedicated ten entire sections in his prestigious and authenticated book
Reference: "Ash-Shari'ah"
on the virtues and merits of Hazrat Muawiyah رضي الله عنه. See:
Reference: Ash-Shari'ah by Al-Ajri (2/525)
.Hazrat Rabi' bin Nafi'
Reference: (died 241 AH)
says:
Reference: (Muawiyah is a veil for the Companions of the Messenger ﷺ; when someone lifts this veil, his boldness against the people behind it will increase, meaning his tongue will also extend against other Companions)
.
Reference: Tarikh Baghdad (1/577)
The great Muhaddith and ascetic Imam Abdullah bin Mubarak
Reference: (died 181 AH)
says:
Reference: (Muawiyah رضي الله عنه is, in our view, the measure to test people's beliefs regarding the justice of the Companions. Therefore, whoever casts a wrong view on Muawiyah رضي الله عنه, we consider him to hold a wrong opinion about all the noble Companions رضي الله عنهم أجمعين)
.
Reference: Tarikh Dimashq (59/209)
Besides this, similar sayings are also found from the pious predecessors, and Allah is the Grantor of success.
