34 – With his chain of transmission he related: A man came to Muʿāwiyah while the latter was receiving people’s oaths of allegiance in Kufa and said, “I pledge allegiance to you in accordance with the Sunnah of Allah and His Messenger.” Muʿāwiyah replied, “So you are the one without a leader.” The man retorted, “And you are the one without a pledge.” Muʿāwiyah answered, “What value is there in any pledge that is not upon the Sunnah of Allah and His Messenger?” The man thereupon gave him the pledge, after which Muʿāwiyah said, “My nephew, beware the ruler’s wrath, for the ruler grows angry like a child yet strikes like a lion.”