al-Ma'mun's proclamation on Mu'awiya

al-Mas'udi, in Muruj al-Dhahab, reports that in 212 AH a herald of the caliph al-Ma'mun proclaimed that the protection (dhimma) was free of anyone who mentioned Muawiya favourably or ranked him above any of the Companions of the Messenger of God ﷺ. ¹

al-Mas'udi says that people disagreed about the cause of the proclamation. Among what was said is a report by al-Zubayr ibn Bakkar, from al-Mada'ini, from Mutarrif ibn al-Mughira ibn Shu'ba, that his father had met Muawiya in private and called him to justice and to kinship with Banu Hashim. Muawiya answered him with words comparing himself with those who had preceded him, and holding that deeds do not endure with what is proclaimed every day. ¹

al-Ma'mun ordered the proclamation, and letters were written to all regions to curse Muawiya from the pulpits. People took this as a grave matter, and the common folk were disturbed, so the caliph was advised to abandon it. ¹

The details of the report are attributed to its chain as al-Mas'udi gave it. A further source is needed to document the cause.