He next transmits, through the isnād of Ḥammād ibn Salamah, from Abū Muḥammad, from Zurārah ibn Awfā, who said:
“A generation is one hundred and twenty years. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was sent during a generation, and its last year was marked by the death of Yazīd ibn Muʿāwiyah.”
Abū Bakr ibn ʿAyyāsh said:
“Yazīd ibn Muʿāwiyah led the people in the ḥajj in the years 51, 52, and 53 AH.”
Ibn Abī al-Dunyā related:
“Abū Kurayb narrated to us; Rushdayn narrated [from] ʿAmr ibn al-Ḥārith, from Bukayr (1) ibn al-Ashajj, that Muʿāwiyah said to Yazīd, ‘How do you think you will behave if authority devolves to you?’
He replied, ‘May Allah prolong your life, O Commander of the Believers!’ Muʿāwiyah insisted, ‘Tell me plainly.’ Yazīd answered, ‘By Allah, father, I would treat the people as ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb did.’
Muʿāwiyah said, ‘Glory be to Allah, my son! By Allah, I strove to follow the course of ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān and could not fully attain it—so how will you manage the course of ʿUmar? (2)’ ”
Al-Wāqidī said:
“Abū Bakr ibn ʿAbd Allah ibn Abī Sabrah narrated to me from Marwān ibn Abī Saʿīd ibn al-Muʿallā, who said:
Muʿāwiyah, while counseling Yazīd at the time of his death, said:
‘O Yazīd! Fear Allah. I have smoothed this affair for you and borne of it what I bore. If it turn out for good, I am the happiest for it; if otherwise, its wretchedness is on me. So be gentle with the people, and overlook whatever words reach you that hurt or diminish you—trample them underfoot and your life will be easier and your subjects more upright. Beware of contentiousness and giving rein to anger, for you will ruin yourself and your flock. Guard against treating people of rank harshly, belittling them, or acting arrogantly toward them. Deal with them gently, yet without showing weakness or cowardice. Let them tread your carpet, draw them close, and keep them near; for they know your right. Do not insult them or slight their due, lest they insult you, slight your right, and speak ill of you.
Whenever you resolve upon a matter, summon the elderly and experienced among the righteous, the shaykhs, and the God-fearing; consult them and do not oppose them. Beware of acting on your own opinion alone, for sound judgment does not reside in a single breast. Trust the adviser who urges you to do what you already recognize as right, yet keep such counsel from your womenfolk and servants. Roll up your sleeves, look after your army continuously, and reform yourself so that the people will be set aright for you; leave them no opening to criticize you, for people are swift to evil.
Attend the prayer. If you carry out what I have enjoined upon you, the people will acknowledge your right, your dominion will grow, and you will be magnified in their eyes. Recognize the honor of the people of Madinah and Mecca— they are your root and your kin. Preserve the distinction of the people of Syria, for they are (3) your supporters, your protectors, and your soldiers through whom you reach (4) those who obey you. Write to the people of the provinces, promising them kindness from you, for that broadens their hopes. And if a delegation from any district comes to you, treat them well and honor them, for they…’