But when he perished, his name perished.

But when he perished, his name perished. What had been done toward him is mentioned. As for the brother of the Banu Hashim (), he is mentioned five times a day (in the azan when it is said ‘I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah). So all deeds after this (azan), may your mother lose you, will be completely buried!’”[^1] This speech clearly indicates Mu’awiya’s unbelief, atheism, and strong malice toward the Prophet.

He became displeased when he heard the Prophet’s name mentioned five times a day during the azan. If he had found a way to remove that, he would have done it. An example of his strong hatred toward the Prophet’s progeny is that he did not call down blessing upon the Prophet for forty Fridays. That was during the period of his reign.

He was asked about that, and he answered: “Nothing prevents me from mentioning him (the Prophet) except that some men turn up their noses (at me)!”[^2] The historians have said: “He (Mu’awiya) heard the caller of azan say: ‘I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah’. He said: ‘How great, O son of Abdullah! You have a high determination!

You are not satisfied with anything except that you are compared to the Name of the Lord of the world!’”[^3] Abolishing the prescribed Penalties Mu’awiya paid no attention to the Islamic prescribed punishments and to administering them. That was when he pardoned those on whom the prescribed punishments had be to administered. Some thieves were brought before him. He ordered their hands to be cut off. Then he ordered a thief to be pardoned.

The thief reciuted some verses of poetry that invaded Mu’awiya’s heart, and he said to him: “What shall I do to you? We have cut off the hands of your companions!” The thief’s mother replied him: “O Commander of the faithful, place it among your sins of which you will repent!” Accordingly, Mu’awiya ordered the thief to be released. So this was the first punishment to be abolished in Islam.

Regarding Usury as lawful Islam has strongly prohibited usury and regarded it as among offences and major sins. It has cursed the one who gives usury, the taker, the mediator, and the witness. However Mu’awiya paid no attention to what Islam had prohibited. It has been reported on the authority of Atta’ bin Yasar that [^1] Ibn Abi al-Hadeed, Sharh Nahj al-Balagha, vol. 2, p. 357. [^2] Al-Nasaa’ih al-Kafiya, p. 97. [^3] Ibn Abi al-Hadeed, Sharh Nahj al-Balagha, vol. 10, p. 101.

Mu’awiya sold a gold container for more than its weight.