This excerpt is taken from A Research Review of Mirza Muhammad Ali Engineer's Objections and Issues, authored by Haroon bin Shabbir Ahmad, may Allah preserve him, and revised by Fazilat al-Sheikh Maulana Muhammad Rafiq Tahir, may Allah preserve him.
The Virtues and Merits of Hazrat Muawiyah, may Allah be pleased with him, and his Praiseworthy Mention
(General Virtue) His being a Companion of the Prophet:
Allah Almighty says in His pure book, the Holy Quran:
لَا يَسْتَوِي مِنْكُمْ مَنْ أَنْفَقَ مِنْ قَبْلِ الْفَتْحِ وَقَاتَلَ أُولَئِكَ أَعْظَمُ دَرَجَةً مِنَ الَّذِينَ أَنْفَقُوا مِنْ بَعْدُ وَقَاتَلُوا وَكُلًّا وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الْحُسْنَى وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ
“The one who spent before the conquest (of Makkah) and fought (in the way of Allah) is not equal to the one who spent and fought after the conquest. Their rank is far higher than those who spent and fought later, but Allah has promised goodness to both. And Allah is well aware of what you do.”
Reference: (Surah Al-Hadid:10)
And He said:
مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ وَالَّذِينَ مَعَهُ أَشِدَّاءُ عَلَى الْكُفَّارِ رُحَمَاءُ بَيْنَهُمْ تَرَاهُمْ رُكَّعًا سُجَّدًا يَبْتَغُونَ فَضْلًا مِنَ اللَّهِ وَرِضْوَانًا سِيمَاهُمْ فِي وُجُوهِهِمْ مِنْ أَثَرِ السُّجُودِ ذَلِكَ مَثَلُهُمْ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ وَمَثَلُهُمْ فِي الْإِنْجِيلِ كَزَرْعٍ أَخْرَجَ شَطْأَهُ فَآزَرَهُ فَاسْتَغْلَظَ فَاسْتَوَى عَلَى سُوقِهِ يُعْجِبُ الزُّرَّاعَ لِيَغِيظَ بِهِمُ الْكُفَّارَ وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ مِنْهُمْ مَغْفِرَةً وَأَجْرًا عَظِيمًا
“Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the Messenger of Allah, and those who are with him are severe against disbelievers, merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating, seeking bounty from Allah and His pleasure. Their mark is on their faces from the effect of prostration. That is their description in the Torah. And their description in the Gospel is like a seed that sends forth its shoot, then strengthens it, then it becomes thick and stands firmly on its stem, delighting the sowers, so that He may enrage the disbelievers through them. Allah has promised those among them who believe and do righteous deeds forgiveness and a great reward.”
Reference: (Surah Al-Fath:29)
In another place He said:
وَالسَّابِقُونَ الْأَوَّلُونَ مِنَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَالْأَنْصَارِ وَالَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي تَحْتَهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا ذَلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ
Reference: (Surah At-Tawbah:100)
“And the foremost among the Muhajirin and the Ansar and those who followed them with good conduct—Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him, and He has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. That is the great success.”
And addressing the Companions, He said:
وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ فِيكُمْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لَوْ يُطِيعُكُمْ فِي كَثِيرٍ مِنَ الْأَمْرِ لَعَنِتُّمْ وَلَكِنَّ اللَّهَ حَبَّبَ إِلَيْكُمُ الْإِيمَانَ وَزَيَّنَهُ فِي قُلُوبِكُمْ وَكَرَّهَ إِلَيْكُمُ الْكُفْرَ وَالْفُسُوقَ وَالْعِصْيَانَ أُولَئِكَ هُمُ الرَّاشِدُونَ
“And know that among you is the Messenger of Allah. If he were to obey you in much of the matter, you would surely be in difficulty, but Allah has endeared to you the faith and has made it pleasing in your hearts and has made hateful to you disbelief, defiance, and disobedience. Those are the rightly guided.”
Reference: (Surah Al-Hujurat:7)
The Quran sometimes calls the Companions successful, sometimes promises them forgiveness, Paradise, and great goodness, sometimes describes their qualities, sometimes gives glad tidings of Allah’s pleasure with them, and declares that the Companions are very merciful and well-wishing among themselves. This is the impression we get from the Quran. On the other hand, there is a negative impression from those with dirty and base thoughts who are not pleased with the Companions or some of them, casting doubts and suspicions about them, and trying to give the impression that there were fights, enmity, and hostility among them. Now, observe the status, greatness, and good mention of the Companions in the light of the Hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: خَيْرُ النَّاسِ قَرْنِي، ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ، ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ......
Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The people of my time are the best people, then those who come after them, then those who come after them...”
Reference: (Sahih Bukhari:3651, Sahih Muslim:2533)
عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: يَأْتِي عَلَى النَّاسِ زَمَانٌ يَغْزُو فِئَامٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ، فَيُقَالُ لَهُمْ: فِيكُمْ مَنْ رَأَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ؟ فَيَقُولُونَ: نَعَمْ، فَيُفْتَحُ لَهُمْ، ثُمَّ يَغْزُو فِئَامٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ، فَيُقَالُ لَهُمْ: فِيكُمْ مَنْ رَأَى مَنْ صَحِبَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ؟ فَيَقُولُونَ: نَعَمْ. فَيُفْتَحُ لَهُمْ، ثُمَّ يَغْزُو فِئَامٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ، فَيُقَالُ لَهُمْ: هَلْ فِيكُمْ مَنْ رَأَى مَنْ صَحِبَ مَنْ صَحِبَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ؟ فَيَقُولُونَ: نَعَمْ، فَيُفْتَحُ لَهُمْ۔
Hazrat Abu Sa’id Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “There will come a time upon the people when armies will fight, and they will be asked: Are there among you people who have seen the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)? They will say: Yes! So by their blessing, they will be victorious. Then armies will fight again, and they will be asked: Are there among you people who have seen the Companions of the Messenger of Allah? They will say: Yes! So by their blessing, they will be victorious. Then armies will fight again, and they will be asked: Are there among you people who have seen those who saw the Companions of the Messenger of Allah? They will say: Yes! So they will be victorious.”
Reference: (Sahih Bukhari:2897, Sahih Muslim:2532)
In a Hadith it is said:
.......وَأَصْحَابِي أَمَنَةٌ لِأُمَّتِي، فَإِذَا ذَهَبَ أَصْحَابِي أَتَى أُمَّتِي مَا يُوعَدُونَ۔
“And my Companions are a source of peace for my Ummah. So when my Companions depart, that which was promised to them will come upon my Ummah.”
Reference: (Sahih Muslim:2531)
عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لَا تَسُبُّوا أَصْحَابِي فَلَوْ أَنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ أَنْفَقَ مِثْلَ أُحُدٍ ذَهَبًا مَا بَلَغَ مُدَّ أَحَدِهِمْ وَلَا نَصِيفَهُ۔
Sayyiduna Abu Sa’id Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Do not speak ill of my Companions. If a person were to spend gold equal to the mountain of Uhud, it would not equal even a handful of their spoils, nor half a handful.”
Reference: (Sahih Bukhari:3673, Sahih Muslim:6488)
Hazrat Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated a Hadith:
لَا تَمَسُّ النَّارُ مُسْلِمًا رَآنِي، أَوْ رَأَى مَنْ رَآنِي۔
“Whoever among the Muslims has seen me will not be touched by the fire of Hell, and whoever has seen any of my Companions will also not be touched by it.”
Reference: (Sunan Tirmidhi:3858)
This Hadith was declared Hasan by Imam Tirmidhi and Allama Zubair Ali Za’i (may Allah have mercy on them). Its narrator “Musa bin Ibrahim bin Kathir” was declared trustworthy by Imam Ibn Hibban (may Allah have mercy on him) and truthful by Imam Dhahabi and Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on them). Also, Imam Hakim (may Allah have mercy on him) declared this Hadith authentic.
Reference: (Al-Thiqat by Ibn Hibban: 449/7, Tarikh al-Islam by Dhahabi: 1220/4, Taqreeb al-Tahdheeb: 6942, Al-Mustadrak by Hakim: 1852)
Therefore, this narrator is Hasan al-Hadith. Allama Albani (may Allah have mercy on him) also referred to this narrator as truthful and declared the narration Hasan.
Reference: (Silsilat al-Sahihah:1497)
And Hazrat Umar bin Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated a Hadith:
أَكْرِمُوا أَصْحَابِي، فَإِنَّهُمْ خِيَارُكُمْ......
“Honor my Companions, for they are the best among you!”
Reference: (Musnad Abi Dawood al-Tayalisi:31, Sharh al-Sunnah by Al-Baghawi:28/9)
Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) has a very beautiful saying:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ نَظَرَ فِي قُلُوبِ الْعِبَادِ، فَوَجَدَ قَلْبَ مُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ خَيْرَ قُلُوبِ الْعِبَادِ، فَاصْطَفَاهُ لِنَفْسِهِ، فَابْتَعَثَهُ بِرِسَالَتِهِ، ثُمَّ نَظَرَ فِي قُلُوبِ الْعِبَادِ بَعْدَ قَلْبِ مُحَمَّدٍ، فَوَجَدَ قُلُوبَ أَصْحَابِهِ خَيْرَ قُلُوبِ الْعِبَادِ، فَجَعَلَهُمْ وُزَرَاءَ نَبِيِّهِ يُقَاتِلُونَ عَلَى دِينِهِ۔
“Allah Almighty looked towards the hearts of His servants and found the best heart to be that of Muhammad (peace be upon him), so He chose him for Himself and sent him as a Messenger. Then Allah looked towards the hearts of the servants after Muhammad (peace be upon him) and found the best to be the hearts of his Companions, so He made them the ministers of His Prophet who fight for His religion.”
Reference: (Musnad Ahmad:3600)
And Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with both of them) said:
لَا تَسُبُّوا أَصْحَابَ مُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَلَمُقَامُ أَحَدِهِمْ سَاعَةً خَيْرٌ مِنْ عَمَلِ أَحَدِكُمْ عُمُرَهُ۔
“Do not speak ill of the Companions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). A moment spent by a Companion in the company of the Prophet (peace be upon him) is better than the deeds of a lifetime of any one of you.”
Reference: (Sunan Ibn Majah:162)
Hadith "The first army from my Ummah" and the virtue of Hazrat Muawiyah (may Allah be pleased with him):
عَنْ أُمِّ حَرَامٍ أَنَّهَا سَمِعَتِ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: "أَوَّلُ جَيْشٍ مِنْ أُمَّتِي يَغْزُونَ الْبَحْرَ قَدْ أَوْجَبُوا". قَالَتْ أُمُّ حَرَامٍ: قُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، أَنَا فِيهِمْ؟ قَالَ: "أَنْتِ فِيهِمْ". ثُمَّ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: "أَوَّلُ جَيْشٍ مِنْ أُمَّتِي يَغْزُونَ مَدِينَةَ قَيْصَرَ مَغْفُورٌ لَهُمْ". فَقُلْتُ: أَنَا فِيهِمْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ؟ قَالَ: "لَا"۔
Hazrat Umm Haram (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that she heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) say: "The first group of my Ummah who will engage in naval jihad, Paradise will be obligatory for them!" So I asked: O Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), will I be among them? He said: Yes, you are among them! Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: The first army of my Ummah that will fight against the city of Caesar will be forgiven! I asked: O Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), will I be among them? He replied: No."
Reference: (Sahih Bukhari:2924)
And that first jihad was under the leadership of Hazrat Muawiyah (may Allah be pleased with him). It is mentioned in Sahih Bukhari that Hazrat Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا ذَهَبَ إِلَى قُبَاءٍ، يَدْخُلُ عَلَى أُمِّ حَرَامٍ بِنْتِ مِلْحَانَ فَتُطْعِمُهُ، وَكَانَتْ تَحْتَ عُبَادَةَ بْنِ الصَّامِتِ، فَدَخَلَ يَوْمًا فَأَطْعَمَتْهُ، فَنَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، ثُمَّ اسْتَيْقَظَ يَضْحَكُ، قَالَتْ: فَقُلْتُ: مَا يُضْحِكُكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ؟ فَقَالَ: "نَاسٌ مِنْ أُمَّتِي عُرِضُوا عَلَيَّ غُزَاةً فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ، يَرْكَبُونَ ثَبَجَ هَذَا الْبَحْرِ مُلُوكًا عَلَى الْأَسِرَّةِ". أَوْ قَالَ: "مِثْلَ الْمُلُوكِ عَلَى الْأَسِرَّةِ". شَكَّ إِسْحَاقُ، قُلْتُ: ادْعُ اللَّهَ أَنْ يَجْعَلَنِي مِنْهُمْ. فَدَعَا، ثُمَّ وَضَعَ رَأْسَهُ فَنَامَ، ثُمَّ اسْتَيْقَظَ يَضْحَكُ، فَقُلْتُ: مَا يُضْحِكُكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ؟ قَالَ: "نَاسٌ مِنْ أُمَّتِي عُرِضُوا عَلَيَّ غُزَاةً فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ، يَرْكَبُونَ ثَبَجَ هَذَا الْبَحْرِ مُلُوكًا عَلَى الْأَسِرَّةِ، أَوْ مِثْلَ الْمُلُوكِ عَلَى الْأَسِرَّةِ". فَقُلْتُ: ادْعُ اللَّهَ أَنْ يَجْعَلَنِي مِنْهُمْ. قَالَ: "أَنْتِ مِنَ الْأَوَّلِينَ". فَرَكِبَتِ الْبَحْرَ زَمَانَ مُعَاوِيَةَ، فَصُرِعَتْ عَنْ دَابَّتِهَا حِينَ خَرَجَتْ مِنَ الْبَحْرِ، فَهَلَكَتْ۔
"When the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to go to Quba, he would also visit Hazrat Umm Haram bint Milhan (may Allah be pleased with her), and she would serve him food (she was his mahram), and she was married to Ubada bin Samit (may Allah be pleased with him). One day the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) came to her house, she served him food, then he slept. Then he woke up smiling. Umm Haram (may Allah be pleased with her) said that I asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) why he was smiling. He replied: Some people of my Ummah were presented before me while fighting in the way of Allah, who would be on the sea (on boats) like kings on their thrones. I (Umm Haram) asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) to pray to Allah to include me among them, so he prayed. Then the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) lay down and slept again. He woke up smiling again. I asked again why he was smiling. He said: Some people of my Ummah were presented before me while fighting in the way of Allah, who would be on the sea (on boats) like kings on their thrones. I (Umm Haram) asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) to pray to Allah to include me among them, but he said: You are already among the first army. Accordingly, Umm Haram (may Allah be pleased with her) undertook a sea journey during the time of Muawiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) (the same jihad journey about which the glad tidings were given) and after disembarking on land, she fell from her mount and passed away."
Reference: (Sahih Bukhari:6283)
And in another narration it is stated:
فَخَرَجَتْ مَعَ زَوْجِهَا عُبَادَةَ بْنِ الصَّامِتِ غَازِيًا أَوَّلَ مَا رَكِبَ الْمُسْلِمُونَ الْبَحْرَ مَعَ مُعَاوِيَةَ۔
"So Umm Haram (may Allah be pleased with her) participated in the first naval fleet of the Muslims along with her husband Ubada bin Samit (may Allah be pleased with him) in the presence of Muawiyah (may Allah be pleased with him)."
Reference: (Sahih Bukhari:2800)
So this glad tidings of Paradise from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) is especially true for Hazrat Umm Haram (may Allah be pleased with her) and Hazrat Muawiyah (may Allah be pleased with him), because the Prophet (peace be upon him) explicitly said to Umm Haram that she is included in that group, and for Hazrat Muawiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) because he was the commander of that army, so he is even more deserving of this virtue.
Imam Mahlab bin Abi Safrah (may Allah have mercy on him) said that this hadith establishes the virtue of Hazrat Muawiyah (may Allah be pleased with him).
Reference: (Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari by Ibn Battal:107/5)
Imam Ibn Abdul Barr (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
"This hadith shows the virtue of Hazrat Muawiyah (may Allah be pleased with him)."
Reference: (Al-Tamhid:235/1)
And Imam Abu Bakr al-Ajri (may Allah have mercy on him) also mentioned this hadith among the virtues of Hazrat Muawiyah (may Allah be pleased with him).
Reference: (Al-Shari'ah by al-Ajri:1922)
Allama Ibn al-Arabi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
هذا الحديثُ أصلٌ في تفضيل معاوية۔
"This is a fundamental hadith regarding the virtue of Hazrat Muawiyah (may Allah be pleased with him)."
Reference: (Al-Masalik:106/5)
Among the virtues of Hazrat Muawiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) is also that he was the first person of this Ummah to start naval jihad, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) approved it. The virtue is such that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
مَنْ سَنَّ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ سُنَّةً حَسَنَةً، فَلَهُ أَجْرُهَا وَأَجْرُ مَنْ عَمِلَ بِهَا بَعْدَهُ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ يَنْقُصَ مِنْ أُجُورِهِمْ شَيْءٌ۔
"Whoever initiates a good deed in Islam will receive its reward and the reward of those who act upon it after him, and their reward will not be diminished in any way."
Reference: (Sahih Muslim:1017)
The Virtue of Hazrat Muawiyah (RA): Being the "Writer of Revelation":
The Holy Quran is better, superior, sacred, and magnificent than all the books in the world, and it is the pure word of Allah. Reading it is an honor, listening to it is an honor, memorizing it is an honor, learning it is an honor, and teaching it is also a great privilege. It was revealed upon the leader of all prophets, the master, the son of Adam, the highest, purest, and greatest personality, the Imam of the Prophets, Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. So what kind of honor and greatness will there be for the fortunate one who, during the time of the Messenger of Allah, wrote down the revelation revealed to him by his command? This honor was granted to some companions, among whom was Muawiyah, may Allah be pleased with him.
Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, said:
كُنْتُ أَلْعَبُ مَعَ الْغِلْمَانِ فَإِذَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلم قَدْ جَاءَ فَقُلْتُ: مَا جَاءَ إِلَّا إِلَيَّ فَاخْتَبَأْتُ عَلَى بَابٍ فَجَاءَ فَحَطَأَنِي حَطْأَةً فَقَالَ: اذْهَبْ فَادْعُ لِي مُعَاوِيَةَ! وَكَانَ يَكْتُبُ الْوَحْيَ........
"I was playing with children when the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, came to me. I hid behind the door (at that time you were a child). Then he came and patted me and said, 'Go and bring Muawiyah!' And he (Muawiyah, may Allah be pleased with him) was a scribe of revelation............"
Reference: (Dala'il al-Nubuwwah by Al-Bayhaqi: 6/243)
Imam Ibn Asakir, may Allah have mercy on him, said: "The most authentic narration regarding the virtue of Muawiyah, may Allah be pleased with him, is that he was a scribe of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him."
Reference: (Tarikh Dimashq by Ibn Asakir: 106/59)
And Allama Al-Albani, may Allah have mercy on him, also said: "The most authentic narration narrated regarding the virtue of Muawiyah, may Allah be pleased with him, is that he was a scribe of the Prophet, peace be upon him."
Reference: (Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Sahihah: 694/7)
Special Prayer of the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم in Favor of Hazrat Muawiyah رضي الله عنه:
عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ أَبِي عَمِيرَةَ- وَكَانَ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، أَنَّهُ قَالَ لِمُعَاوِيَةَ: "اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْهُ هَادِيًا مَهْدِيًّا، وَاهْدِ بِهِ"۔
The Companion of the Prophet, Hazrat Abdul Rahman bin Abi Umayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, prayed for Hazrat Muawiyah, may Allah be pleased with him: "O Allah, make him a guide and rightly guided, and grant guidance to the people through him."
Reference: (Sunan Tirmidhi:3842)
Imam Tirmidhi, may Allah have mercy on him, classified this hadith as "Hasan" (good).
Imam Jurqani also said it is "Hasan":
Reference: (Al-Abateel wal Manakeer was Sahah wal Mashahir:343/1)
Imam Ibn Asakir, may Allah have mercy on him, stated: "The most authentic narration regarding the virtue of Muawiyah, may Allah be pleased with him, is that he was the scribe of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, followed by the narration of Hazrat Arabadh, may Allah be pleased with him, and then the (authentic) narration from Ibn Abi Umayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, that says: O Allah, make him a guide and rightly guided."
Reference: Tarikh Dimashq:106/59
Imam Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on him, declared its chain of narration as "strong":
Reference: Al-Siyar:124/3
Imam Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him, classified this hadith as "Sahih" (authentic):
Reference: Al-Bidayah:122/8
Imam Ibn Hajar Haythami, may Allah have mercy on him, also said it is "Hasan":
Reference: Al-Sawa'iq Al-Muhriqah:626/2
Allama Albani, may Allah have mercy on him, said it is "Sahih":
Reference: Sahihah:618/4
Sheikh Zubair Ali Zai, may Allah have mercy on him, also said it is "Sahih":
Reference: Mishkat Al-Masabih:6244
And Maulana Zaheer Amanpuri, may Allah preserve him, classified it as "Hasan":
Reference: Difa'a Sahaba:492
Another prayer of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ for Hazrat Muawiyah رضي الله عنه:
عَنِ الْعِرْبَاضِ بْنِ سَارِيَةَ السُّلَمِيِّ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: "اللَّهُمَّ عَلِّمْ مُعَاوِيَةَ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِسَابَ وَقِهِ الْعَذَابَ۔"
Hazrat Arabad bin Sariya Al-Salmi رضي الله عنه narrates that I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: "O Allah, grant Muawiyah the knowledge of the Book (Quran) and accounting, and protect him from punishment."
Reference: (Musnad Ahmad:17152, Sahih Ibn Hibban:7210)
Imam Ibn Khuzaymah رحمه الله declared this hadith "Sahih":
Reference: Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah:1938
Imam Ibn Hibban رحمه الله also said it is "Sahih":
Reference: Sahih Ibn Hibban:7210
Imam Ibn Asakir رحمه الله said it is "Hasan":
Reference: Mu'jam Ibn Asakir:1341
Imam Dhahabi رحمه الله stated "this hadith has a strong supporting witness":
Reference: Al-Siyar:124/3
Imam Ibn Kathir رحمه الله declared it Sahih:
Reference: Al-Bidayah:122/8
Allama Albani رحمه الله said it is "Hasan":
Reference: Al-Sahihah:3227
Maulana Zubair Ali Zaee رحمه الله declared it "Hasan":
Reference: Fada'il Sahabah:126
Sheikh Zaheer Amanpuri حفظه الله also said it is "Hasan":
Reference: Difa' Sahabah:501
Your relationship and lineage with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and the statement of Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal رحمه الله:
Hazrat Muawiyah رضي الله عنه is not only a companion but also related to the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم by kinship; his sister, Umm al-Mu'minin Hazrat Umm Habibah رضي الله عنها, was married to the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم.
On this basis, he رضي الله عنه is considered the uncle of the entire Ummah. Regarding his kinship with the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم, there is a hadith:
عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: كُلُّ سَبَبٍ وَنَسَبٍ مُنْقَطِعٌ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ إِلَّا سَبَبِي وَنَسَبِي"
It is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas رضي الله عنهما that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said: "On the Day of Resurrection, all relationships and kinships will be severed except my relationship and kinship."
Reference: (Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir by Al-Tabarani: 243/11, and its chain is Hasan)
Al-Albani رحمه الله mentioned this in "Silsilat al-Sahihah: 2036"!
Regarding this hadith, Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal رحمه الله was asked whether Hazrat Muawiyah رضي الله عنه is included in this hadith. He رحمه الله replied: "Yes! He رضي الله عنه has kinship and relationship with the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم, and he said: We only ask Allah for his well-being."
Reference: (As-Sunnah by Abi Bakr bin Al-Khallal: 432/2)
The Era of Amir al-Mu'minin Hazrat Muawiyah (RA) and the Prophetic Hadith (PBUH):
عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: أَوَّلُ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ نُبُوَّةٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ، ثُمَّ يَكُونُ خِلَافَةً وَرَحْمَةً، ثُمَّ يَكُونُ مُلْكًا وَرَحْمَةً......
It is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "The first part of this Ummah is prophethood and mercy, then caliphate and mercy, after that kingship and mercy will be."
Reference: (Al-Mu'jam Al-Kabir by Al-Tabarani: 88/11)
In this hadith, there is also the virtue of Hazrat Muawiyah (may Allah be pleased with him). Because after the four caliphs (Sayyiduna Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali, may Allah be pleased with them), Hazrat Muawiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) became a king, and the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) declared his kingship as mercy.
Shaykh al-Islam Imam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) writes:
وَاتَّفَقَ الْعُلَمَاءُ عَلَى أَنَّ مُعَاوِيَةَ أَفْضَلُ مُلُوكِ هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةِ فَإِنَّ الْأَرْبَعَةَ قَبْلَهُ كَانُوا خُلَفَاءَ نُبُوَّةٍ وَهُوَ أَوَّلُ الْمُلُوكِ؛ كَانَ مُلْكُهُ مُلْكًا وَرَحْمَةً كَمَا جَاءَ فِي الْحَدِيثِ: "يَكُونُ الْمُلْكُ نُبُوَّةً وَرَحْمَةً ثُمَّ تَكُونُ خِلَافَةٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ ثُمَّ يَكُونُ مُلْكٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ ثُمَّ مُلْكٌ وَجَبْرِيَّةٌ ثُمَّ مُلْكٌ عَضُوضٌ" وَكَانَ فِي مُلْكِهِ مِنَ الرَّحْمَةِ وَالْحِلْمِ وَنَفْعِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مَا يُعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ كَانَ خَيْرًا مِنْ مُلْكِ غَيْرِهِ.....
"The scholars are unanimous that Hazrat Muawiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) is the best king of this Ummah, for the four before him were the caliphs of prophethood, and he (Muawiyah) was the first king, and his kingship was a kingship of mercy, as mentioned in the hadith: يكون الملك نبوة ورحمة، ثم تكون خلافة ورحمة، ثم يكون ملك ورحمة............ And his kingship was so full of mercy, forbearance, and benefit for the Muslims that it shows that his kingship was the best."
Reference: (Majmoo' al-Fatawa: 478/4)
The Virtue of Imam Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) and Sayyiduna Muawiyah (may Allah be pleased with him):
Imam Bukhari, may Allah have mercy on him, in his great book "Sahih al-Bukhari" in the chapter on the virtues of the Companions, under the virtue of Hazrat Muawiyah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated this hadith:
عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي مُلَيْكَةَ، قَالَ: أَوْتَرَ مُعَاوِيَةُ بَعْدَ الْعِشَاءِ بِرَكْعَةٍ وَعِنْدَهُ مَوْلًى لِابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، فَأَتَى ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ، فَقَالَ: دَعْهُ فَإِنَّهُ صَحِبَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ۔
"Janab Ibn Abi Malika, may Allah have mercy on him, narrates that Hazrat Muawiyah, may Allah be pleased with him, prayed one Witr after Isha, and with him was the servant of Hazrat Ibn Abbas. (Seeing this) he came to Abdullah bin Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, and narrated this incident, upon which Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, said: Leave him alone, for he was in the company of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him!"
Reference: (Sahih Bukhari:3764)
After this, the narration continues with these words:
قِيلَ لِابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ: هَلْ لَكَ فِي أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مُعَاوِيَةَ فَإِنَّهُ مَا أَوْتَرَ إِلَّا بِوَاحِدَةٍ؟ قَالَ: إِنَّهُ فَقِيهٌ۔
"Janab Abdullah bin Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, was asked that Muawiyah, may Allah be pleased with him, only offered one Witr, to which Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, replied: He is a jurist!"
Reference: (Sahih Bukhari:3765)
This narration was also transmitted by Imam al-Jurqani, may Allah have mercy on him, in the virtues of Muawiyah, may Allah be pleased with him, thereby establishing his virtue:
Reference: Al-Abateel wal-Manaakeer was-Sihaah wal-Mashaheer:343/1
Imam Abu al-Qasim Baghawee, may Allah have mercy on him, also mentioned it in the praise of him, may Allah be pleased with him:
Reference: Mu'jam al-Sahabah:2200
Imam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, also mentioned it under the virtues of Muawiyah, may Allah be pleased with him:
Reference: Minhaj al-Sunnah al-Nabawiyyah:235/6
And Imam Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him, also narrated it in the context of the virtues of Janab Muawiyah, may Allah be pleased with him.
Reference: Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah:122/8
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