Is the narration attributed to Ibn ‘Umar authentic: "I have never seen anyone after the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, who was darker than Mu‘awiyah." So I said, "Was he darker than Abu Bakr?" He replied, "Abu Bakr was better than him, and he was darker." I said, "Was he darker than ‘Umar..."? And does the "best" or the "most suitable" assume the caliphate? And what are the conditions for the caliphate, and do they apply to the two Shaykhs more than to Mu‘awiyah?

The narration mentioned about Ibn 'Umar was cited by Imam Ibn Kathir and others. It was not judged as authentic or weak, but it is not improbable that it is authentic. Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah clarified that the meaning of "al-Aswad" in Ibn 'Umar's statement refers to generosity and forbearance, not that he was the most suitable for governance, for the Four Caliphs were superior to him. Imam al-Dhahabi explained that Mu'awiyah's leadership was due to his management of the region and his governance of people with his generosity, forbearance, and perfect intellect.