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that Mu'awiyah
and 'Ubadah had both taken part in one of the
Islamic wars in which they were victorious and
seized some spoils, including silver vessels,
which were by the order of Mu'awiyah offered for
sale so that the price of them would be divided
among the fighters. The people crowded to buy
these silver vessels, and each vessel was sold
at double its weight in silver. When 'Ubadah heard
this matter, he rose and exclaimed:
"I have heard the Prophet forbidding the
exchange of gold for gold and silver for silver
except on an equal basis, and thus anyone who
takes in excess of this amount, will have committed
usury.
On hearing this verdict, the people who had paid
more claimed back the extra sum. When Mu'awiyah
heard of this matter, in great vexation he said:
"How is it that people quote verdicts from
the Prophet, whereas we who have been his close
companions have never heard him utter such words?"
'Ubadah rose and repeated his former words and
added: "We will quote the words of the Prophet
even if Mu'awiyah be displeased."
According to another narration, he had said: "Despite
Mu'awiyah, I don't care even if he does not admit
me one night in .his army!"(95)
According to Ahmad ibn Hanbal and an-Nisai, 'Ubadah
had said: "I swear to God that it does not
matter at all if I do not spend one night in a
land where Mu'awiyah lives!"(96)
In Usd a1-ghabah and Siyar al-a'lam an-nubala'
which give an account of 'Ubadah, it is stated
that he criticized some acts of Mu'awiyah and
declared them to be contrary to the explicit injunctions
of Islam, and then added: "I will not stay
in the same land with you." Then he left
ash-Sham for Medina. 'Umar who was still caliph,
asked him why had come to Medina. 'Ubadah narrated
the improper acts of Mu'awiyah for him. 'Umar
said: "Go back to your former place. May
God bring shame on that land in which you and
others like you do not live! He can never have
domination over you."(97)
adh-Dhahabi adds in Siyar al-a'lam: One day 'Ubadah
ibn as-Samit was in the mosque with Mu'awiyah.
The Muezzin called for prayer, and then a preacher
climbed the pulpit and in his sermon he praised
Mu'awiyah. 'Ubadah rose and threw a
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