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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Role of Aisha in the History of Islam (volume 3) Part Two : Role of Mu'awiyah in the History of Islam Mu'awiyah in the time of the Prophet Truly these two, Mu'awiyah and 'Amr ibn al-'As, never turn to goodness and honesty. The Prophet Mu'awiyah did not for a moment stay away from the leaders of infidelity at the point of the clash between paganism and Islam.

Even on the day when he saw his father apparently embracing Islam, he addressed him with reproaching verses saying: "Oh Sakhr! Do not accept Islam since you will bring us disgrace, After the death of the dear ones who were torn to pieces in the battle of Badr, Both my uncles and my mother's uncle, who was the third of those, killed; And Hanzalah, my good brother, were those who turned our dawn's sleep into wakefulness.

Do not even for a moment incline to Islam, since it will burden us with disgrace. I swear to the camels, which go dancing on the way of Mecca, That death is easier than the reproach of enemies, Who may say, Abu Sufyan, son of Harb, turned away for fear of the idol al- 'Uzza." 75 After the capture of Mecca, among those who embraced Islam, Mu'awiyah appeared to turn to this religion, and he received his share of the spoils of the battle of Hunayn, given to the newly converted to incline them more to Islam, a share which consisted of a hundred camels and a large sum of silver.

76 It was in the last years of the Prophet's life that he generously appointed Mu'awiyah as one of his numerous scribes. 77 78 Quoted by az-Zubayr ibn Bakkar in the book of al-Mufakhirat. Refer to the description of Nahj al-balaghah 2/102, and Tadhkirat al-khawas 115 and Jamharat of al-Khatib 2/12. This type of share was given to the shallow-minded who only appeared to be Muslims, but had not really shown a true belief and conviction.

This share was intended to soften their hearts to God's religion. al-Mas'udi in at-Tanbih wa al-ishraf 282-283 printed Beirut 1965, published by Maktabat Khayyat. Abu Sufyan had requested the Prophet to give him and his son some suitable positions in order to win the affection of the Muslims gradually, and thereby improve their social status.

The Prophet who never refused a legitimate means of reform, and also because he had no wish to refuse a request on the basis of Islamic ethical standards the acceptance of which would be proper, agreed, and granted Mu'awiyah the honour of acting as his scribe occasionally.