Muhammad ibn Abi Harun and Muhammad ibn Ja'far informed me that Abu al-Harith narrated to them, saying: We sent a note to Abu 'Abd Allah [asking]: 'What do you say, may Allah have mercy on you, regarding one who says: "I do not say that Mu'awiyah was the scribe of the revelation, nor do I say that he is the maternal uncle of the believers, for he took it [the caliphate] by the sword through force?"' Abu 'Abd Allah said: 'This is an evil and wretched statement. People should avoid these individuals, not sit with them, and we must clarify their true nature to the people.'
