Question

I have been told that Ibnul Jawzi and Ibn Hajar ‘Asqalani (rahimahumallah) have said that all the virtues of Mu’awiyah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) are fabricated.

Is this correct?

Answer

This is inaccurate.

The references you have provided quote other earlier Hadith Masters, like Imam Ishaq ibn Rahuyah and Imam Nasai (rahimahumallah) who have said there are no Sahih (authentic) Hadiths that explicitly quote additional merit for Sayyiduna Mu’awiyah (radiyallahu ‘anhu).

This does not mean, all are fabrications!

What it means is that such Hadiths may be hasan (sound) or da’if (weak), while others are fabrications.

For details of this principle, refer to ‘Allamah Zarkashi’s (rahimahullah) statement quoted by Mulla ‘Ali Qari (rahimahullah) in his introduction of Al-Masnu’.

Furthermore, this is according to these Muhaddithun. It is possible that other Hadith masters did come across reliable virtues.

See here.

Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) has enlisted a few Muhaddithun who have dedicated compilations on the virtues of Sayyiduna Mu’awiayh (radiyallahu ‘anhu).

(Fathul Bari, Hadith: 3764)

Clarifying notes

Note 1: I said above: “…no sahih Hadiths that explicitly quote additional merit for Sayyiduna Mu’awiyah (radiyallahu ‘anhu).”

By this I am referring to the fact that Sayyiduna Mu’awiyah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) has sufficient merit in merely being the companion of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). However, the negation only pertains to Hadiths that mention a particular merit for him.

Note 2: This is the case with the majority of Sahabah (radiyallahu ‘anhum), i.e., Other than us knowing that they are Sahabah, we are unaware of Hadiths that state their other additional merits. This does not degrade them in any way.

3. Lastly, This (Mu’awiyah -radiyallahu ‘anhu- being a Sahabi is sufficient a virtue) is exactly what Imam Bukhari has advocated in his Sahih when he mentioned Hadiths that indicated towards Mu’awiyah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) being a Sahabi in the Chapter of the merits of the Sahabah (radiyallahu ‘anhum).

Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) writes that Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) did this –despite being aware of what his teacher Ishaq ibn Rahuyah said- to rebut the Shi’ah [in their hate for Sayyiduna Mu’awiyah]

(Fathul Bari, Hadith: 3764)

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

Answered by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar,

In my answers in the past, I have repeatedly explained the need for paying attention to the manner in which the Hadith masters quote or omit Hadiths in the respective chapters. This speaks volumes in itself. I hope to -insha Allah- one day write a detailed article to explain this further.

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar