Uthman’s Consultation With The Governors Of The Provinces And Muawiyah’s Opinion On The Matter
Selections from the Book Muawiyah Ibn Abi Sufyan (His Character And Era) And The Sufyanid State …
Written by Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi...
Episode (09)
Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) confronted the fitna with various strategies and methods. Among them were:
Sending inspection and investigation delegations to the provinces, attempting to understand the motives of the people of fitna, successfully infiltrating their ranks, establishing proof against the rabble and rebels through dialogue and discussion, and even responding to some of their demands.
The details of Uthman’s policy in dealing with the fitna were thoroughly outlined in my book on Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him).
Among the approaches Uthman took was consulting the governors of the provinces (may Allah be pleased with them). He urgently summoned them, and they were: Abdullah ibn Amir, Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan, Abdullah ibn Sa’d, he also included in the consultation: Sa’id ibn al-As, Amr ibn al-Aas — who were former governors.
It was a closed and critical session, and each participant gave his opinion. The opinion of Muawiyah was: “I suggest that you command the commanders of the armies, so that each one of them will handle what is in his own region. I will take care of the people of al-Sham for you.”
After hearing their suggestions, Uthman stood, praised Allah, and said: “I have heard all that you have suggested. Every matter has a door through which it is entered. As for this matter, which people fear may harm the ummah—it is coming, and the way to shut its door and contain it is through gentleness, cooperation, and accommodation—except in the limits of Allah the Exalted, which no one should ever compromise. If anything can close its door, it is forbearance. By Allah, it will indeed be opened (i.e., the trial will break out), and no one will have a rightful argument against me. Allah knows that I have never intended anything for the people but good, nor for myself.
By Allah, the mill of fitna is turning. Blessed is Uthman if he dies without setting it in motion. Restrain the people, grant them their rights, and forgive them. But when it comes to the rights of Allah, do not compromise in them.”
Thus, Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) forbade the governors from taking harsh measures against the instigators—no punishment, imprisonment, or execution. He decided to treat them with kindness and gentleness, and instructed his governors to return to their posts in accordance with the approach he had made clear to them in confronting the fitna—an event that every clear-sighted person saw was approaching.
Before returning to al-Sham, Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan came to Uthman and said: “O Commander of the Faithful! Come with me to al-Sham, before events overtake you with matters you will not be able to handle”. Uthman replied: “I will not trade living near the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) for anything, not even if it means my neck being severed”. Muawiyah said: “Then let me send an army from al-Sham to stay in Medina, to confront any expected threats and protect you and the people of Medina”. Uthman responded: “No—lest I restrict the provisions of the neighbors of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) with soldiers living among them, and I do not want to burden the people of migration and support”. Muawiyah then said: “O Commander of the Faithful! By Allah, you will either be assassinated or taken by force”. Uthman replied: “Allah is sufficient for me, and He is the best disposer of affairs.”
Indeed, everything Muawiyah had feared came to pass. The crowds of seditionists came and ultimately besieged Uthman and assassinated him. And when these rebels came from various provinces, not one group among them was from al-Sham.
From all of this, we see that we are in front of a great governor who rose above the rest and charted a path far beyond mere governorship. Muawiyah succeeded in transforming al-Sham into the most prepared and stable region in the Islamic state—ready to lead the other provinces. He did this by: Establishing firm loyalty to leadership, strengthening the foundations of stability, cutting off the roots of fitna and division within the region. This level of stability and order was not found in any other province.
- Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi, Muawiyah Ibn Abi Sufyan (His Character And Era) And The Sufyanid State, pp. 189-192.
- The Complete (2/278).
- Al-Tabari’s History (5/351).
- The Caliphate of Uthman, Dr. Al-Salami, p. 77.
- The impact of scholars on political life, p. 76.
- The Rashidun Caliphs, by Al-Khalidi, p. 151.
- Abdullah ibn Saba, Al-Awda, p. 152.
For further information and review of the sources for the article, see:
The Book of “Muawiyah Ibn Abi Sufyan (His Character And Era) And The Sufyanid State” on the official website of Sheikh Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi:
