What is the truth about the kingdom that ‘Umar affirmed for Mu‘awiyah? Was it a lack of consultation with the people of Sham and acting on his own opinion without referring to them? And why did ‘Umar affirm it: was it due to their recent conversion to Islam, their being influenced by Roman culture, their lack of maturity, and their familiarity with servitude and humiliation?

Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, approved for Mu'awiyah, may Allah be pleased with him, the grandeur of kingship and the magnificent processions he maintained. This was for a benefit that Mu'awiyah mentioned: that they were in a land where there were many enemy spies, and it was necessary to display the might of the ruler to awe them. So Umar said to Mu'awiyah, "I neither command you nor forbid you."