Chapter 7: Political Skills/Military Achievements
Political Skills of Mu’awiyah:
Mu’awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan was well renowned for his patience, calm temperament and political insight, as well as being an eloquent public speaker.
He understood how to deal with different personalities and how to influence people’s hearts.
Mu’awiyah was famous for turning his opponents into allies and he became known as one of the finest orators and leaders of his time.
He often neutralised the opposition by giving generous gifts and he once said: A war costs limitlessly more (than the gifts).
Despite managing a massive empire, Mu’awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan devoted a lot of time to praying and reciting the Quran.
Umar ibn Al-Khattab once said about him: Do not mention Mu’awiyah with anything but good. I have heard Allah’s Messenger say: O Allah, guide him!
After Al-Hasan ibn Ali handed over the caliphate, Mu’awiyah ruled without any serious competitor and did not lose any of the earlier conquests of Islam.
Military Achievements of Mu’awiyah:
Under Mu’awiyah’s rule, the Muslim Empire achieved numerous victories that expanded its territories.
He continued to send forces against neighbouring lands, with campaigns taking place on both land and sea and his rule extended the borders of the Islamic state as far as the Atlantic coastline.
Mu’awiyah divided his army into two branches: Ash-Shitawi, equipped for winter campaigns, and the Sawa’if, who conducted operations in the summer.
The Syrian soldiers would volunteer for conquests two or three times a year, and they did not care about where Mu’awiyah might send them.
Mu’awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan paid his troops regular stipends and when they were away on long campaigns, he took care of their families’ needs.
Also, when the soldiers demonstrated bravery, Mu’awiyah rewarded and encouraged them to continue with this attitude.
He established a powerful navy that left the Romans in constant fear. However, the expansion of the navy had temporarily paused during the internal issues faced by Ali ibn Abi Talib and the Muslims.
Under the leadership of Mu’awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan, conquests resumed and continued throughout the Umayyad era.
After Al-Hasan ibn Ali relinquished the caliphate, Mu’awiyah ruled the entire Islamic world for nearly twenty years and during his reign there was widespread prosperity and internal peace.
Despite these years of peace, the Khawarij (fitnah makers) tried to cause trouble but they were quickly subdued by the Muslims.
Mu’awiyah significantly expanded the rule of Islam and Asia Minor, the region around modern-day Istanbul where Asia meets Europe, was frequently attacked.
Mu’awiyah and his army even reached the walls of Constantinople, but they were eventually defeated and the city was not conquered.