Shia View of Muawiyah I - Overview

Overview

There exists no sahih narration in where Muhammad praises Muʻāwiyya as a sign of Muʻāwiyyas lack of good qualities, and in fact, Shi'a quote Sunni hadith where Muhammad is supposed to have cursed Muawiyah and prophesied Muawiya not being resurrected with Muhammad on the resurrection day:

• Shia claim that Muawiya's mother, Hind bint Utbah, was promiscuous; he was not the son of his supposed father, Abu Sufyan . Hind was an inveterate enemy of Muhammad and the Muslims; she ate the liver of Muhammad's uncle Hamza after the Battle of Uhud.

• Shia claim that Muawiya converted to Islam only when it was politically convenient and his "conversion" was superficial only.

• Shia claim that he opposed Ali, whom them claim was the rightful Caliph, out of sheer greed for power and wealth. His reign was worldly and irreligious. He not only opposed Ali, but persecuted his followers. During his reign, Muslims attending prayers in the mosque were required to curse Ali as part of the service.

• Shia claim that Muawiya promised Ali's son, Hasan ibn Ali, the caliphate after he, Muawiya, died; Hasan ibn Ali merely asked that a shura be held, and that Muawiya reneged on any promises or treaties he made with Hasan by making his son, Yazid I, his heir.. Yazid is also hated for his actions towards the house of Ali, in particular sending forced against Ali's other son, Husayn ibn Ali, at the Battle of Karbala.

• Shia claim that Muawiya killed many of Muhammad's companions (Sahaba), either in battle or by poison, due to his lust for power. Hasan ibn Ali himself was poisoned.