in Allah’s cause.”

When he died after the conquests of Syria, during Umar’s caliphate, Umar—may Allah be pleased with him—appointed his brother Muʿāwiya in his place. Yazīd was born to Muʿāwiya during the caliphate of Uthmān ibn Affān. Muʿāwiya remained in Syria until the events in question took place.

One must therefore leave the matter at that and refrain from discussing Yazīd ibn Muʿāwiya or testing Muslims by their stance toward him. This is a religious innovation contrary to the way of Ahl al-Sunnah wa-l-Jamāʿah. Because of this, some ignorant people have come to believe that Yazīd ibn Muʿāwiya was one of the Companions and among the foremost righteous men and just rulers. This is a clear error.