A Research Review of the Life of Amir Muawiyah (RA) and the Objections of Opponents
Abstract
This study highlights an objective discussion of the life, political leadership and theological and historical condemnation that were directed towards Amir Muawiyah (RA). He treats the greatest place in the history of the Islamic religion as a leader who made the Muslim community stable following the Rashidun Caliphate and established the bases of a successful system of administration. The main aim of this paper is to discuss the fact that his political and administrative choices were directed to the unity of the Ummah or were only the reactions to the political necessity of the epoch. The work is founded on both primary and secondary sources, such as Tarih al-Tabari, al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah, al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh and the works of recent researchers like Hugh Kennedy (2010) and Wilferd Madelung (2017). This research will utilize historical, analytical and comparative narratives in an attempt to create a balanced view of the different sectarian narratives. The results suggest that the choices of Muawiyah were mostly based on the need to preserve stability and establish a stronger control in the Muslim polity. In spite of the fact that he has been criticized as having turned the caliphate into a hereditary monarchy, according to historical evidence, his moves were in line with the political realities of the time. His reforms in administration, the creation of the navy, financial transparency and the liberal policies toward the non-Muslim subjects played a great role in the unification of the Umayyad Caliphate. Therefore, the research comes up with a conclusion that the life of Amir Muawiyah is not only a demonstration of political leadership but also wisdom, understanding, and a devotion to the unity of Muslims, which can be very helpful in the modern Islamic political ethics.
Keywords: Amir Muawiyah (RA), Umayyad Caliphate, Islamic History, Political and Administrative Reforms, Battle of Siffin, Treaty of Hasan, Nomination of Yazid, Sectarian Narratives, Muslim Unity, Analytical and Comparative Study.
