Hazrat Muawiyah Bin Abi Sufyan (R.A)

Hazrat Amir Muawiyah (R.A) was one of the most respected Companions of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W). He was the son of the Quraish leader Hazrat Abu Sufyan Bin Harb (R.A). He belonged to the family of Banu Umayya which was the second most powerful family in Makkah Shareef after the Banu Hashim, to which the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) belonged.

When Holy Prophet (S.A.W) started preaching Islam, the Banu Umayya opposed him strongly and since the pre-Islamic period there was rivalry between the houses of Banu Hashim and Banu Umayya. When Makkah Shareef was conquered by the Holy Prophet (S.A.W), the family of Hazrat Abu Sufyan Bin Harb (R.A) accepted Islam.

Hazrat Amir Muawiyah (R.A) had already accepted Islam in his heart before the conquest of Makkah but did not disclose it to anybody. He (R.A) hid his faith like Hazrat Abbas Bin Abdul Mutalib (R.A).

Hazrat Amir Muawiyah (R.A) was tall, fair, and handsome in appearance. He (R.A) was eloquent in speech and was noted for his patience. Along with being a man of dignified bearing and good manners, He (R.A) was an excellent politician and diplomat. He (R.A) was also a great mathematician and an excellent calligraphist. In winning wars Hazrat Amir Muawiyah (R.A) relied more on the use of the tongue than the use of the sword.

After the conquest of Makkah, Hazrat Amir Muawiyah (R.A) served as secretary to the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) and was the writer of the Revelation. He (R.A) was also the brother-in-law of the Rasoolullah (S.A.W) as Hazrat Amir Muawiyah (R.A)’s sister Hazrate Umm Habiba (R.A) was married to the Holy Prophet (S.A.W).

The Beloved Prophet (S.A.W) had once said: “The first group of Muslims to make Naval Jihad will be the inhabitants of Heaven”. History bears witness to the fact that the first Naval Jihad in the history of Islam was organized and lead by Hazrat Amir Muawiyah (R.A).

During the Caliphate of Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A) and Hazrat Umar (R.A), Hazrat Amir Muawiyah (R.A) served in the army and fought under the command of Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed (R.A), Hazrat Abu Ubaida Bin Al Jarrah (R.A) and Hazrat Yazeed Bin Abi Sufyan (R.A) (Elder brother of Hazrat Amir Muawiyah (R.A)).

After the passing away of Hazrat Yazeed Bin Abi Sufyan (R.A), Hazrat Umar (R.A) appointed Hazrat Amir Muawiyah (R.A) as the Governor of Syria. He (R.A) was loved and respected by the people of Syria where he served as the governor for 20 years. He (R.A) was known to his people as “The silver tongued Amir.”

Source: http://www.janathimessage.co.uk/ramadantopics/ramadan_topics13/hazratamirmuawiyahbinabisufyan_ra.html