Was Muawiya a Sahabi or a Munafiq?

 

Was Muawiya a Sahabi or a Munafiq?

Before discussing this topic, let’s first understand who is considered a Sahabi (Companion of the Prophet ﷺ).

There is a common belief in our society that anyone who saw the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and accepted Islam is considered a Sahabi. However, this notion is completely false, fabricated, and baseless.

A Sahabi is someone who not only saw the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) but also strictly followed all his commands and prohibitions. A true Sahabi is one who remained faithful to the Prophet (ﷺ) and his Ahlul Bayt (the Prophet’s family) until their last breath. A person who loved and sacrificed for the Prophet (ﷺ), Imam Ali (A.S.), Lady Fatima (A.S.), Imam Hasan (A.S.), and Imam Husain (A.S.) more than their own life is considered a true Sahabi.

The definition of a Sahabi is broad, and writing about it in detail would require an entire book.

Now, let’s come to the main discussion:

Muawiya was the son of Abu Sufyan, the infamous leader of the Quraysh and a fierce enemy of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Abu Sufyan led 27 wars against the Prophet and constantly conspired to kill him. There was no evil he did not try against the Prophet (ﷺ).

When he realized that he could not harm the Prophet (ﷺ), he and his son Muawiya accepted Islam after the conquest of Mecca, but with hidden motives—to infiltrate the Muslim community and cause destruction from within.

Even according to the statements of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), Muawiya is proven to be a Munafiq (hypocrite). The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

👉 "Whoever curses Ali has cursed me." (Mishkat Sharif, Page 565)

👉 "O Allah! Whoever is my friend, Ali is also their friend. O Allah! Love those who love Ali, and be the enemy of those who are enemies of Ali." (Mishkat Sharif, Page 565)

👉 "Only a hypocrite will hate Ali, and only a true believer will love him." (Mishkat Sharif, Page 564)

What does the Quran say about Muawiya?

Allah says in the Holy Quran:

👉 "Whoever intentionally kills a believer, their punishment is Hell, where they will remain forever. The wrath and curse of Allah will be upon them, and a great punishment is prepared for them." (Surah An-Nisa, 4:93)

The killer of Mawla Ali (A.S.) was a so-called Hafiz of the Quran and was influenced by Muawiya’s conspiracies. Should I still consider him a Sahabi and compare him to the shining stars of the sky? Or should I recognize him as a traitor and a Munafiq?

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

👉 "Whoever takes Ali as their master, I am their master. A true believer will never hold enmity towards Ali, and a hypocrite will never love him. Whoever loves Ali, loves me, and whoever opposes Ali, opposes me."

There are countless other Hadiths proving this.

Now, you decide—will you follow the Quran, or will you continue to admire Muawiya?

Muawiya, in the Battle of Siffin, killed thousands of famous Sahabis who were on Mawla Ali's (A.S.) side. He also killed the great lover of the Prophet, Hazrat Uwais Qarni (R.A.) in this battle. All these people were true Mu’mins (believers) of the highest rank.

Besides this, there are many more examples, but the post would be too long if I listed them all.

However, for those who still consider Muawiya a Sahabi, I have a few questions:

Questions for those who consider Muawiya a Sahabi:

1️⃣ Why did Muawiya fight against Mawla Ali (A.S.)?
2️⃣ Why did Muawiya fight against Imam Hasan (A.S.), a shining star of Islamic history?
3️⃣ Why did Muawiya appoint the evil tyrant Yazid as the ruler of the Muslim world?
4️⃣ Why did Muawiya align with the Kharijites, who later fought against Mawla Ali (A.S.) and Imam Hasan (A.S.)?
5️⃣ Why did Muawiya kill hundreds of innocent and prominent Sahabis in the Battle of Siffin? Who will be held accountable for these murders?
6️⃣ After Mawla Ali's (A.S.) martyrdom, why did Muawiya remove Imam Hasan (A.S.) and declare himself as the ruler of the Muslim world? Was Muawiya more deserving than Imam Hasan (A.S.)?
7️⃣ Why did Muawiya break his treaty with Imam Hasan (A.S.) and appoint his son, the evil tyrant Yazid, as the ruler instead of Imam Husain (A.S.)? Was Yazid more deserving than Imam Husain (A.S.)?
8️⃣ Why did Muawiya order the killing of the Prophet’s beloved companion, Hazrat Uwais Qarni (R.A.) in the Battle of Siffin?
9️⃣ Why did Muawiya remove the name of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and instead establish the Umayyad dynasty in the name of his pagan grandfather?
🔟 Why did Muawiya establish the practice of cursing Mawla Ali (A.S.) in the Friday sermons after forcibly taking power?