he had assumed. Had he anticipated that fighting Mu‘āwiya and his companions would lead to what actually happened, he would not have fought them; for had he not fought, he would have been stronger and would have prevailed (1). Most people supported him, and most territories were under his rule. Once he fought them, however, his position weakened, until many territories formerly under (2) his authority, such as Egypt and Yemen, came over to their side, while control of the Hijāz shifted back and forth.

Had he known that appointing the two arbitrators would lead them to rule as they did, he would not have appointed them. Had he known that one would treat the other as he did, leading the two to depose him, he would not have appointed anyone who would agree to his removal, nor anyone whom the other arbitrator would fail to support (3). Indeed, some had advised him at the outset to retain Mu‘āwiya as governor until his own authority was firmly established. Those who sincerely advised him and loved him considered this the more prudent course.

It is well known that the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—appointed Abū Sufyān, Mu‘āwiya’s father, as governor of Najrān (4). He remained its governor until the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—died.

People agreed that Mu‘āwiya was a better Muslim than his father. None of the Companions or Successors accused Mu‘āwiya of hypocrisy, though they differed concerning his father.

Abū Bakr al-Siddīq had appointed Mu‘āwiya’s brother—Yazīd ibn Abī Sufyān—as one of the commanders in the conquest of Syria, appointing Khālid, Abū ‘Ubayda and Yazīd ibn Abī Sufyān. After they conquered Syria, he remained a commander until his death there. He was among the finest Companions, a righteous man