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Sayyiduna Muaawiya Radhiyallahu Anhu STATUS AND PERSONALITY The Sahabah Kirām are those eminent people concerning whom Almighty Allah has declared his eternal satisfaction and blessings in the Holy Qur'an. Therefore, anyone who challenges the honour and status of these great souls has indeed challenged the decree of Almighty Allah. 1. Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah Radhiyallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam said, "Do not revile my companions. By (Allah) in Whose Hand my soul is! If any one of you spends gold (piled up) like (mount) 'Uhud it will not equal to a pint of their charity, nor its half." (Muslim) 2. Sayyiduna Abdullah Ibn Umar Radhiyallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam said, "When you see anybody reviling and cursing my companions, you must say, 'May Allah's curse be upon your mischief and malice'." (Tirmidhi) 3. Sayyiduna Abdullah Ibn Mughaffal Radhiyallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallamsaid, "Fear Allah in every matter concerning my Companions. Do not make them the targets (of your criticism) after me. Whoever loves them, loves them out of love for me, and whoever hates them, hates them out of hatred for me. Whoever harms them has indeed harmed me and whoever harms me has harmed Allah; and whoever harms Allah, it is imminent that Allah will seize him." (Tirmidhi) Whilst the collective sacrifices and favours of the Sahābah upon the Ummah are innumerable, some individuals from this shining galaxy excelled in their services to the Deen of Allah and especially to the Ummah more than others. Amongst these champions of Islam was Amir Muāwiyyah Ibn Abi Sufyan Radhiyallahu Anhu, whose status and prestige in the blessed court of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam was such that he was amongst those elite companions to whom the magnanimous task of preserving the divine revelation of the Qur’an in written form was entrusted. GLAD TIDINGS FROM THE BLESSED LIPS OF RASŪLULLAH SALLALLAHU ALAYHI WA SALLAM The love and affection which the beloved Rasūl of Allah had for him may be gauged from the following supplications and incidents: Once Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam supplicated, “O Allah! Make Muāwiyyah a means of guidance, make him one who is on guidance and bless people with guidance through him.” (Tirmidhi) On another occasion Rasūlullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam sat on his camel and asked Hadhrat Muāwiyyah Radhiyallahu Anhu to sit behind him. After a while Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam remarked: Muāwiyyah! Which part of your body is touching with mine?” He answered: “O Rasulullah! My bosom.” Thereupon, Rasūlullah i supplicated: “O Allah! Bless him with great knowledge.” (al-Tārikh al-Islām of Imam al-Dhahabi) Once our beloved Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam made the following Dua: “O Allah! Endow Muāwiyyah with special knowledge of the Qur’an and save him from any afflictions.” (Ibn Hibbān) His sister, Ummul Mu’mineen, Ummi Habibah was the beloved wife of Rasūlullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam. Once Rasūlullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam came home and found that Muāwiyyah Radhiyallahu Anhu was visiting his sister. Rasūlullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam asked her if she loved him, she replied that he is her brother and surely she loves him. It was on this occasion that Muāwiyyah Radhiyallahu Anhu received the following glad tidings, when the Nabi of Allah said, “Allah and his Rasūllove Muāwiyyah as well.” (al-Tabrāni) CONCLUSION Sayyiduna Muāwiyyah Radhiyallahu Anhu was a Sahābi (companion) of great stature and benevolence. Sadly, Muāwiyyah Radhiyallahu Anhu is one such individual from amongst the Sahābah whose great personality, distinguished qualities and astounding credentials have not only been ignored but arduous efforts took place in concealing his accomplishments. Most of the allegations for which he has been unjustifiably been blamed of take their roots in the difference of opinion that arose between Muāwiyyah and Ali Radhiyallahu Anhuma. We have to realize that on both sides were imminent sahabah al-Kirām, all of whom were driven by the sincere belief of the veracity of their respective causes. The preposterous accusations levelled at him have actually been promoted by antagonist Shias and baseless historical records. Unfortunately, many a time our own Muslim brethren fall prey to these cynical propagandas and in turn join the accursed group of people who vilify the chosen companions of Rasūlullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam. May Almighty Allah protect us all. After the battle of Siffīn, Ali Radhiyallahu anhu said: “O people do not disregard the leadership of Muāwiyyah, for verily, if you lose him it would be as tragic as losing the limbs of your bodies.” (al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah) Qādhi Ayādhhas quoted in his al-Shifā: If we claim to revere and honour Rasūlullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam, we must also respect his Sahaabah. As Muslims, it is compulsory on us to appreciate the fact that we owe them, to follow them and to ask for forgiveness on their behalf. No doubt, they had their differences but we have no right to comment on them. We must beware of the stories forges by Shias, innovators and biased historians, whose mischievous motive is to slander the sahabah al-Kirām. We must always speak of their virtues and hold our tongues from uttering any possible comment that might insult their status. May Almighty Allah protect the Ummah from the enemies of Rasūlullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam and his companions and may Allah Ta’ala bless us with sincere love for them. Ameen PREPARED BY: DARUL ULOOM ZAKARIYYA