According to the books of the Shias, there are 12 infallible Imams. They are falsely hailed as greater than the Prophets. One of them is Hassan (RA). Hassan (RA) gave Muawiyah (RA) khilafah. How then, can Shias claim his decision to be wrong and therefore, how can they claim to have a problem with Muawiyah (RA)? At that time, it was one of the best decisions that took place for the Ummah. This year became known as aam al-jama’ah (the year of unity). Before this, the Ummah faced problems from a few deviant sects. This year, the Ummah became united again.
In total, Muawiyah (RA) ruled as the governor of Shaam under the khilafah of Umar (RA), Uthmaan (RA) and Ali (RA) for approximately 20 years. When Hassan (RA) gave him khilafah, he then ruled as a khalifah over the Ummah for 20 years. Thus, he held a position of leadership for 40 years in total (recorded in Al-Isti’ab). During this reign, Muawiyah (RA) conquered many new lands and territories that were previously difficult to conquer during the khilafah of Umar (RA). Parts of Africa, India and Afghanistan were conquered. Approximately 56 different regions came under Muslim rule, and Islam spread further and faster throughout the world.
Ibn Abbass (RA) said, “I never saw anyone more suited for government than Muawiyah (RA), aside from the Prophet ﷺ” (recorded in Al-Isabah). Ibn Umar (RA) once concurred, “I have never seen anyone with better leadership than Muawiyah,” and when someone wondered, “What about Abu Bakr (RA), Uthman (RA) and Ali (RA)?” he answered, “By Allah, they were better than Muawiyah (RA) but he had the best leadership” (recorded in Al-Isti’ab).
— Shaykh Dawood Seedat حفظه اللّٰه
Above is an extract from Shaykh’s talk on 30/8/19 in Masjid-ut-Taqwa, Pietermaritzburg. To listen to the full talk, please click here.
