When Yazīd ibn Abī Sufyān died in 18 AH, a courier brought news of his death to ʿUmar. ʿUmar immediately sent the messenger back to Syria, appointing Muʿāwiyah in his brother’s place. He then offered condolences to Abū Sufyān for Yazīd’s passing.
Abū Sufyān said, “Commander of the Believers, whom have you placed over his post?”
ʿUmar replied, “His brother Muʿāwiyah.”
Abū Sufyān answered, “You have upheld the ties of kinship, Commander of the Believers.”

Hind wrote to Muʿāwiyah, saying, “By Allah, my son, it is seldom that a free-born woman gives birth to one like you. This man has summoned you to a grave responsibility, so obey him in what you like and in what you dislike.”

His father also advised him: “My son, this company of Emigrants outstripped us while we lagged behind. Their precedence elevated them [and placed them in honor before Allah and before His Messenger] (1) while our delay left us short. They became the leaders and masters, and we became followers. They have entrusted you with a momentous affair of theirs, so do not oppose them. You are racing toward a fixed term—so strive! If you reach it, you will bequeath it to your descendants.”

Muʿāwiyah remained governor of Syria throughout the caliphates of ʿUmar and ʿUthmān. In 27 AH he conquered the island of Cyprus, and Muslims resided there for nearly sixty years during his lifetime and afterward. Conquests and jihad continued vigorously in his days against the Byzantines, the Franks, and others. But when the conflict between him and the Commander of the Believers ʿAlī arose, no major conquest took place in those years—neither by his hand nor by that of ʿAlī. After Muʿāwiyah had previously humbled and routed the Byzantine emperor and his forces, the emperor now grew bold. Seeing Muʿāwiyah pre-occupied with fighting ʿAlī, he advanced with great armies toward some frontier regions, hoping to seize them.

Muʿāwiyah wrote to him: “By Allah, if you do not desist and return to your own land, O accursed one, I shall make peace with my cousin and, together, we shall drive you from all your domains and crush you so completely that the very earth—vast though it is—will feel narrow to you.” The emperor took fright, withdrew, and sought a truce.

Thereafter came the episode of arbitration and what followed it, until Muʿāwiyah reached an accord with al-Ḥasan ibn ʿAlī, as mentioned earlier. The word of the community united behind Muʿāwiyah, and the provinces unanimously pledged allegiance to him in 41 AH, as we have already stated. He continued to rule from then until the year of his death, [while jihad in enemy lands remained active, the word of Allah stood supreme, spoils of war reached him from the farthest horizons, and the Muslims under him enjoyed ease, justice, clemency, and forgiveness] (2).

It is authentically related in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, through the chain of ʿIkrimah ibn ʿAmmār—Abū Zumayl Simāk ibn al-Walīd—from Ibn ʿAbbās, who said: Abū Sufyān asked, “Messenger of Allah, grant me three things.” He replied, “Yes.” Abū Sufyān said, “Appoint me commander so that I may fight the unbelievers just as I once fought the Muslims.” He said, “Yes.” Abū Sufyān continued, “And make Muʿāwiyah your scribe.” He said, “Yes.” The third request was that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, marry his other daughter, ʿAzza bint Abī Sufyān, and he sought