Muāwiya was likewise among those whose commitment to Islam became excellent, by consensus of the scholars. For this reason, when his brother Yazīd ibn Abī Sufyān died in Syria, Umar ibn al-Khattāb—may Allah be pleased with him—appointed Muāwiya to his brother’s post. Yazīd ibn Abī Sufyān was among the finest of men and was one of the commanders whom Abū Bakr and Umar dispatched for the conquest of Syria: Yazīd ibn Abī Sufyān, Shurahbīl ibn Hasana, and Amr ibn al-Ās, together with Abū Ubayda ibn al-Jarrāh and Khālid ibn al-Walīd. When Yazīd ibn Abī Sufyān died, Umar appointed his brother Muāwiya in his place (1).

Umar feared no one’s reproach in matters concerning Allah. He was not one to show favoritism in making appointments, nor was he fond of Abū Sufyān, Muāwiya’s father. Rather, before Islam, he had been among those most hostile to Abū Sufyān. Indeed, when al-Abbās brought Abū Sufyān on the day Mecca was conquered, Umar was intent on having him killed. Some harsh words therefore passed between Umar and al-Abbās because of Umar’s hatred for Abū Sufyān. Thus, Umar had no worldly motive for appointing Abū Sufyān’s son Muāwiya. Had Muāwiya not deserved the governorship, Umar would never have appointed him.

Muāwiya then remained in Syria for twenty years as governor and twenty years as caliph. His subjects were among those most devoted to and supportive of him (2), while he was among those who treated them most generously and were most effective in winning their hearts. Indeed, they (3) fought alongside him against Ali [ibn Abī Tālib] (4) and steadfastly resisted