Chapter 12: Mu’awiyah as the Caliph
A Glance at Mu’awiyah’s Caliphate:
Mu’awiyah’s caliphate lasted nearly twenty years, from the year 41 AH to 60 AH.
During this time, no rival dared to challenge his authority or cause any type of fitnah.
Internal fitnah and widespread crime had stopped, and peace prevailed across Muslim lands.
The Islamic Empire expanded further, particularly into north Africa under his rule.
Mu’awiyah chose wise and capable men as governors, such as Ziyad ibn Abi Sufyan in Basra.
Because Ziyad governed with strictness, his firm measures transformed the situation and brought about stability.
The Ummah moved from chaos and violence to security and order, where people could live safely among one another.
Mu’awiyah’s governors viewed themselves as protectors and servants of the community and their doors remained open, making themselves accessible to anyone who had a need or complaint.
On one occasion, some people complained to Mu’awiyah that a governor had cut off a man’s hand on just suspicion, without clear evidence.
Mu’awiyah paid them blood money for the hand and dismissed that governor and after doing this, he asked the people who they wanted as his replacement.