Fath al-Mannan bi Sirat Amir al-Muminin Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan
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- Fath al-Mannan bi Sirat Amir al-Muminin Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan
Fath al-Mannan bi Sirat Amir al-Muminin Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan (The Bestowal of the Benefactor Regarding the Biography of the Commander of the Faithful, Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan) is a biographical study by the contemporary researcher Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Jabiri dedicated to documenting the life, virtues, and caliphate of the companion Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan, and refuting criticisms against him .
Purpose and Methodology
The work was compiled to gather scattered historical reports concerning Muawiya's life and reign, present his recorded merits and status according to Sunni scholarship, and answer widespread criticisms and allegations regarding his character and conduct .
In the methodological introduction, al-Jabiri delineates the critical standard applied to historical and biographical material versus legal and creedal texts . He emphasizes the established hadith rule that whereas strict scrutiny of transmitters and chains of narration is necessary for doctrinal rulings, legal obligations, or reports casting aspersion on established companions, greater leniency is permitted for general historical anecdotes and broad biographical details that do not carry normative theological or juridical ramifications .
Structure and Contents
The book is organized into four primary chapters followed by a reference bibliography and an analytical subject index :
- Chapter One (Muawiya Before the Caliphate): Covers his name, lineage, birth, and early life, tracing his biography through the events of his governance, the conflicts with Ali ibn Abi Talib, Ali's death, and the subsequent tenure of al-Hasan ibn Ali .
- Chapter Two (Muawiya and the Caliphate): Examines the circumstances of his accession to the caliphate, major historical developments and policies throughout his reign until his death, and concludes with a summary of his personal traits and conduct .
- Chapter Three (His Merits and the Scholars' Praise for Him): Compiles prophetic hadiths, narrations from companions, and statements from early authorities (al-salaf) affirming his standing and virtues .
- Chapter Four (Doubts and Refutations): Addresses prominent allegations, contentious historical episodes, and criticisms leveled against Muawiya, responding to them through critical historical and text-critical analysis .
Publication
The book was published under the auspices of the Department of Islamic Culture at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs in the State of Kuwait .
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