If you act fairly and equitably towards your kith and kin...

If you act fairly and equitably towards your kith and kin, the Bani Hashim, and adopt kindness towards them and observe the bonds of relationship, you will leave behind a good reputation for yourself when you die. I swear upon Allah! They possess nothing that should arouse your anxiety and apprehension.’ Mu‘awiyah replied, ‘Far be it! Far be it! This is not possible at all. The name of this Hashemite man (i.e.

the Holy Prophet of Islam) is called five times daily all across the Islamic world from the minarets when the Islamic call to prayer [ adhan ] is being recited, and in this way the people remember his greatness. In such circumstances, what effects and reputation will ever remain for me, O motherless one?

I swear to God that I will not attain peace until I do everything in my power to bury his name’.’”[^1] Mu‘awiyah and his great [kabirah] sins Mu‘awiyah the son of Abu Sufiyan was not a person who refrained from committing great sins. He was so daring that he openly committed illegitimate actions among the people.

Here, reference will be made to some of the actions he committed that were in flagrant contradiction to the divine law [ shari‘ah ] of Islam: Mu‘awiyah dranked alcoholic beverages Ahmad ibn Hanbal quotes ‘Abd Allah ibn Buraydah saying, “My father and I went to visit Mu‘awiyah. He spread a carpet for us and made us sit on it. Then, he brought us some food, which we ate. After that, he brought us some alcohol.

Mu‘awiyah drank from it and invited my father to partake of it, but my father refused and said, ‘Since the time that the Noble Prophet (S) made alcohol haram (forbidden), I have not drunk it’.”[^2] Mu‘awiyah did this heedless of the fact that the Holy Prophet (S) said, «شارب الخمر کعابد وثن.» “One who drinks alcohol is the same as one who worships idols.”[^3] Mu‘awiyah engaged in usury ‘Ata’ ibn Yasar says, “Mu‘awiyah sold a cup made out of gold at a price more than its weight.

Abu al-Darda’ said to him, ‘I heard Allah’s Prophet (S) forbidding this kind of action. Selling and buying should not be concluded unless the deal is equal as regards weight.’ Mu‘awiyah boldly answered him, ‘I see nothing wrong with taking usury.’ Abu al-Darda’ said, ‘Who will justify Mu‘awiyah’s actions? I am telling him what Allah’s Prophet (S) has said, and he is telling me what he himself thinks.