Between Faith and Power: Muʿāwiya’s Correspondence with the Companions Who Declined Allegiance to ʿalī

OpenAlex İngilizce

Under extraordinary circumstances, ʿAlī b. Abī Ṭālib became caliph, though some Companions in Medina withheld allegiance. He respected their choice, but tensions escalated, leading to the Battle of the Camel. Afterward, Muʿāwiya, governor of Damascus, openly rebelled, citing the unpunished killers of ʿUthmān. Seeking legitimacy, he wrote letters to Companions who had not pledged to ʿAlī, promoting his own competence and testing their positions. To ʿAbd Allāh b. ʿUmar, he even expressed readiness to support him as caliph. Most responses rejected his initiative, recognizing his political motives. Yet ʿAmr b. al-ʿĀṣ showed willingness to cooperate, which significantly strengthened Muʿāwiya’s campaign. With supportive replies from ʿAmr and his sons, Muʿāwiya pursued power more resolutely. By contrast, figures such as Saʿd b. Abī Waqqāṣ and Muḥammad b. Maslama dismissed his calls. Ultimately, ʿAmr’s alignment—considered one of the key strategic minds of the Arabs—emerged as a decisive factor advancing Muʿāwiya’s ambitions. This study evaluates these correspondences through classical sources.