and I have been struck in the noblest and most visible part of me; had it not been for the affection I bear for Yazīd, I would have perceived my goal (1).

Hishām ibn ʿAmmār related: ʿAbd al-Muʾmin ibn Muhallil told us—on the authority of a man who said:

Muʿāwiyah performed the pilgrimage, and when he leaned over the ʿĀdiyya well at al-Abwāʾ (2), facial paralysis (3) struck him. He went into his house in Mecca, let the curtain fall, and wrapped a black turban around the side of his head that had not been afflicted.

He then admitted the people, praised Allah and extolled Him, and said:

“People! The son of Adam is ever exposed to trials: either he is tested so that he may be rewarded, or punished for a sin, or granted a chance to seek pardon so that it may be accepted. I cannot excuse myself from being in one of these three states.

If I am being tested, the righteous before me were likewise tested.
If I am being punished, sinners before me were punished—and I cannot be sure that I am not among them.
If one of my limbs has fallen ill, the sound ones are beyond count.
Were the matter in my own hands, I would have no greater claim upon my Lord than what He has already bestowed on me.

I have now reached sixty-odd years; so may Allah have mercy on whoever prays for my well-being. By Allah, even if some of your intimates take me to task, I have always been solicitous (4) of the welfare of your common folk.”

The people then raised their voices in supplication for him, and he wept (5).

Mughīrah transmitted from al-Shaʿbī, who said:

“The first person to give a sermon while seated was Muʿāwiyah, after he had grown heavy.”