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I have bought from
these people their religion.
Mu'awiyah
The second plan which Mu'awiyah adopted to reinforce
the foundation of his government, was to get hold of
crafty men from every corner of various cities, and
buy them with money, rank and position or any other
way possible, and engage them in a work in favour of
his own rule.
It was in accordance with this policy that Mu'awiyah
tipped the treasures of public fund into the pockets
of chiefs of tribes and dignitaries of cities to make
them forget old rancours, and under a change of heart,
since he knew of the people's love of money and worldly
goods.
at-Tabari says: A number of tribal chiefs including
Hattat ibn Yazid Mujashi'i visited Mu'awiyah, who offered
each of them one hundred thousand dinars, whereas he
gave Hattat only seven thousand dinars. When these men
left ash-Sham each one declared the sum given to him
by Mu'awiyah. Hattat was so vexed at being given a smaller
sum, that he returned from there to Damascus and went
straight to Mu'awiyah and said in reproach: "What
was your reason for offering me less than others? Why
were you so parsimonious to me?" Mu'awiyah said:
'Yes, I bought their religion from them, and that is
why I gave them that sum. But I left you to yourself
because I know you are a true supporter of 'Uthman."
The mean Hattat retorted: "Buy my religion from
me, too." (199) So Mu'awiyah ordered to pay him
the remainder.(200)
Among those who fell into the golden snare of Mu'awiyah
and worked for the newly established Umayyad government,
were al-Mughayrah ibn Shu'bah and 'Amr ibn al-'As. Mu'awiyah
appointed al-Mughayrah who was one of the most notorious
crafty Arabs, as governor of Kulah, and 'Amr ibn al'As
as governor of Egypt. He agreed also to leave him the
governorship of that large and rich province for life
and grant him the whole taxes of it.
Meanwhile there was left another clever and crafty man
who had escaped the clutches of Mu'awiyah and showed
no liking to
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