Why do you interfere in our affairs?

Why do you interfere in our affairs?" 'Ubadah arose from amidst the people said: "I heard the Prophet state: After me such people govern you who accustom you to forbidden things and pollution's with their actions, and at the same time they will criticize the good deeds with which you are familiar. Therefore it is not right to obey the rebellious.

Take care not to be diverted from the way of your God." According to Ibn 'Asakir, 'Ubadah continued by saying: "I swear in the Name of Him in Whose Capable Hand lies the life of 'Ubadah that Mu'awiyah belongs to this group of people. 'Uthman said nothing in answer and did not protest at all."(103) The story of Mu'awiyah's excess in drinking and his involvement's and attitude towards the remaining friends of the Prophet is not the only incident related to him and 'Ubadah.

Historians have written that Abd ar-Rahm an, son of Sahl ibn Zayd al-Ansari, had during 'Uthman's time gone to ash-Sham and Damascus to take part in the frontier's holy war, and as we know, at this time Mu'awiyah was governor of ash-Sham. One day on passing in the street he noticed several skins of wine being carried. He had a spear in his hand and rushed upon them and ripped them open. The servants who were in charge of the skins fell upon him.

When the matter was reported to Mu'awiyah he told his men to leave him alone since he had gone crazy. Mu'awiyah's remark was reported to 'Abd ar-Rahman who said: "By God!

I have not gone crazy, but the Prophet had ordered us never to bring wine into our houses, and I swear that if I stay in this land and notice Mu'awiyah doing what the Prophet has forbidden, I will either rip his belly or lose my life for it "(104) Ahmad ibn Hanbal writes in his book of Musnad quoting 'Abd Allah ibn Buraydah, narrating: I went to see Mu'awiyah with my father. He told us to sit down on the floor covered with carpets and ordered to bring us food. We partook of it.

Then they brought wine. He drank some then offered my father a cupful. My father refused it, saying: "Since the day the Prophet has forbidden wine, I have abstained from it."(105) Other stories, too, have been told about Mu'awiyah's excesses in drinking wine, and Ibn 'Asakir (106) mentions them in his history books. Those who are interested can refer to that reliable source. Abu Dharr facing Mu'awiyah The blue sky has never thrown its shadow over anyone more honest than Abu Dharr!