pagan culture
and Christian culture of ash-Sham and fill the vacant
minds of the Muslims with them.
In this discussion we shall see how Mu'awiyah employs
ever possible means in order to carry out his wicked
purpose of blemishing the household of the Prophet,
the Qur'an and the guardians of Islam, especially
the most outstanding of them, namely Imam 'Ali all
of whom had conquered people's hearts with their peerless
chastity and virtue. He did his utmost to misrepresent
their fine qualities and brilliance, and influence
people with the propagation of misinterpreted ideas
and topics, and take control of the minds of simple-minded
people in such a way as to make it impossible for
them to return to the clear spring of Islam and the
Qur'an, and unable to find the true path of the Qur'an
and Islam by reference to the Prophet's descendants.
He could then succeed in infusing those altered ideas
as a constant element in people's minds.
at-Tabari writes: Mu'awiyah appointed al-Mughayrah
ibn Shu'bah as governor of Kufah, but before the latter
departed for that destination, he summoned him and
said to him: "I intended to make several recommendations
to you which I desist from, because of your great
intelligence and discernment. I leave it all to your
intelligence to carry out, but there is one thing
that I must not forget to point out to you. As a first
recommendation never cease to reproach and speak ill
of 'Ali, and also to beg God's favour and salvation
for 'Uthman.(345) In the second place never abstain
from finding fault with 'Ali's friends and companions
and being strict to them, but at the same time bringing
'Uthman's supporters close to you and showing kindness
to them."
al-Mughayrah said: "I have already been tried,
and have gained much experience. I have also rendered
many services for others before your time, and no
one has reproached me! You, too, will test me, and
see whether you approve and praise my deeds or consider
them unworthy and reproach me."
Mu'awiyah said: "No, with God's Will, I shall
praise you."(346)
al-Mada'ini writes in his book of "al-Ahdath":
After he became caliph, he wrote a decree to all his
governors and officials to the effect that whoever
speaks of the excellence and virtue of Abu Turab (ALI)
and his family, it will mean his
