He appointed him as his successor, but he broke his promise.

He appointed him as his successor, but he broke his promise. He sent deadly poison to his governor Marwan b. al-Hakam and ordered him to give it to al-Hasan. Hence Marwan seduced al-Hasan’s wife, Ju‘da, daughter of al-Ash‘ath, and she gave her husband poison to drink. Shortly after this the Messenger’s grandson joined the Highest Comrade. These are some of Mu‘awiya’s qualities. It is certain that he had no noble moral trait or inclination.

False Qualities Some mercenaries and pseudo clergy men described Mu‘awiya with false qualities such as cleverness, clemency, and good policy. Among them was Nafi‘ b. Jubayr, who said: “Clemency makes Mu‘awiya keep silent, and knowledge makes him speak.” When Imam Zayn al-‘Abidin, peace be on him, heard these words, he refuted them saying: “He (Nafi‘ b. Jubayr) has told a lie. The incapability of speaking makes him keep silent, and ingratitude makes him speak.[^2]” If Mu‘awiya had had an atom of…