If He forgives him...

If He forgives him, it is only due to His mercy, and if He punishes him, it is on account of his own sins. I have been granted authority after him, and I do not feel sorry for anything that I sought, nor do I apologize for anything which I have forfeited. When Allah decrees something, it comes to pass. Mu’awiyah used to transport you in the sea to invade, but I am not transporting any Muslim in the sea.

And he used to let you spend your winter in the land of the Romans, but I am letting none of you spend his winter in any Roman land. He used to give you a third of what you collect, but I shall let you keep it all”.[^4] Nobody approached him to offer condolences before ‘Abdullah Ibn Humam al-Saluli came forward and said, “O commander of the faithful! May Allah compensate you for your loss; may He bless you for what you have given us, and may He assist you in ruling your subjects.

You have surely suffered a great calamity and have been granted something great; so, you should thank Allah for what you have been granted and be patient about that wherein you have been tested, for you have lost the viceregent of Allah and been given the caliphate of Allah. You have bidden farewell to a great man and been given something great indeed. Mu’awiyah has died and you have become our leader and the reigns of government have been placed in your hands.

May Allah bring him to the sources of happiness, and may He enable you to do what is best.” Then he composed the following lines of poetry: Be patient, O Yazid, you have parted with a great man, And thank the One Who put you in charge. No calamity has befallen the people, they know, Your calamity is theirs; no issue is better than you. You have dawned the custodian of all those Who do uphold the creed, So look after them as Allah looks after you.

The surviving Mu’awiyah did to us succeed As you are consoled, while none is mourning you. This opened the avenue for other speakers to speak.[^5] A man from Thaqif said to him, “Peace on you, O commander of the faithful, and Allah's mercy and blessings!

You have been grieved by the loss of the best of fathers, and you have been given all things; so, be patient with regard to your tragedy, and praise Allah for granting you such a beautiful gift, for none has been given as you have, nor has anyone been grieved as you have.” People came to him to congratulate him and to offer their condolences. Yazid said, “We are the supporters of righteousness and the promoters of the creed.