Muawiya: The Ramadan series about an early Islamic ruler that’s causing a stir

A television series centered on the life of an early Muslim ruler, "Muawiya," has recently garnered widespread attention. Touted as the most expensive series ever produced in the Arab world, it has sparked considerable controversy in Iraq, Egypt, and other regions.

The series, titled "Muawiya," comprises 30 episodes and tells the story of Muawiya, the founder of the Umayyad dynasty and its first caliph. Produced by Saudi Arabian-owned MBC, it reportedly cost between $75 million and $100 million and was filmed in Tunisia. The series is written by Egyptian journalist Khaled Salah and directed by Palestinian-American filmmaker Tarek Alarian.

Last week, "Muawiya" was banned from airing in Iraq due to its potential to incite sectarian tensions. Religious figures in Egypt have also criticized the series' depiction of early Muslim figures. Middle East Eye will delve deeper into the protagonist of the series and the reasons behind the controversy it has generated.

Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan's legacy is quite controversial, especially among Shia Muslims. Born during the time of the Prophet Muhammad, Muawiya initially rejected the Prophet's teachings. His parents, Abu Sufyan and Hind bint Utbah, were among the most prominent figures who opposed Islam. In 630 AD, after the Muslim conquest of Mecca, Muawiya and his parents converted to Islam. Muawiya became one of Muhammad's scribes, and after the Prophet's death, he played a leading role in the conquest of Syria from the Byzantine Empire.

Uthman, the third Muslim caliph after Abu Bakr and Umar ibn al-Khattab, appointed Muawiya as the governor of Syria. When Uthman—a member of the Umayyad clan—was later assassinated by rebels who opposed his rule, Muawiya took on the responsibility of avenging his kinsman. Muawiya opposed the election of Muhammad's son-in-law, Ali, who was the fourth and last of the caliphs whose reign was later referred to as the Rashidun (Rightly Guided) Caliphate. This triggered the first civil war in Islamic history, the First Fitna, during which the armies of Muawiya and Ali were locked in a stalemate at the Battle of Siffin in 657.

After Ali was assassinated in 661, Muawiya seized control of Egypt and declared himself caliph, establishing Damascus as his capital. Ali's son, Hasan, briefly served as caliph after his father's death but was forced to abdicate by Muawiya. Many early sources suggest that Hasan's death years later was likely due to poisoning. Some believe Muawiya was possibly behind it, seeking to eliminate any threat to the Umayyad dynasty's succession. Under Muawiya's rule, Islamic armies launched expeditions in all directions, expanding its territory into North Africa, Anatolia, Central Asia, and deep into modern-day Iran.

He became the first Muslim ruler to inscribe his name on coins and documents and controversially nominated his son, Yazid, as his successor. Prior to this, Muslim rule was not hereditary, and caliphs were appointed by a small group of the Prophet's senior companions. Muawiya died in 680 AD, and his son Yazid succeeded him, triggering the Second Fitna, during which Ali's son, Hussein, was killed at the Battle of Karbala. While Muawiya is regarded by some as an important companion of the Prophet and a powerful ruler who spread Islam to new territories, others view him as a ruthless leader who acted more like a king than a caliph. Among Shia Muslims, he is a controversial figure due to his fighting against Ali and his possible poisoning of Hasan—both of whom are highly revered figures in Shia tradition.

Due to Muawiya's complex legacy among some Muslims, the new series was quickly banned in Iraq. The Iraqi Media and Communications Commission said on Saturday: "Broadcasting content that is the subject of historical controversy may incite sectarian debate, which could threaten social harmony and damage social cohesion, especially during the month of Ramadan." The commission instructed MBC Iraq not to broadcast the show, although it remains accessible through the network's digital platform, Shahid. This ban had been brewing for some time: the show had already threatened a diplomatic row between Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

Two years ago, influential Shia cleric and Iraqi political figure Muqtada al-Sadr urged MBC to cancel the show altogether. Sadr described Muawiya as "the head of sedition, the spearhead of abusing the Prophet's companions, the first to go against the Imam of his time and divide the unity of Muslims... and the first to kill the companions." He stated in February 2023: "Broadcasting such series goes against the new and moderate policy taken by the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Therefore, we draw your attention. There is no need to hurt the feelings of Muslim brothers around the world."

Iraqi television channel Al-Sha'aer threatened that, in response to "Muawiya," it would produce a show about Abu Lu'lu'a Firuz, a Persian who assassinated Umar ibn al-Khattab and who is later revered by Iranian anti-Sunni groups. Sadr rejected both series, stating: "Both series are invalid and incite sedition, as Muawiya does not represent Sunnis, and Abu Lu'lu'a does not represent Shiites." Although MBC has not commented, the controversy may be the reason for the series' two-year delayed release.

In addition to concerns about inciting sectarian tensions, the series has also been criticized for depicting important figures from the life of the Prophet Muhammad. Reda Abdel-Wagid, dean of the Faculty of Media at Al-Azhar University in Egypt, told local media that while Al-Azhar is not a regulatory body, it rejects the depiction of the Prophet's companions. A spokesperson for Dar al-Ifta, an Egyptian Islamic advisory, said that depicting historical figures is permissible "provided that they are presented in a manner befitting their status and that their biographies are not distorted or depicted in a way that diminishes their value." However, he added that depicting the 10 figures whom the Prophet Muhammad promised paradise is not allowed. The "Muawiya" series depicts two of these figures, Uthman ibn Affan and Ali ibn Abi Talib.

Regarding the latter, lawyer Haitham Maghrabi stated that he is filing a lawsuit to prevent the series from being broadcast in Egypt, citing the series' depiction of Ali. A 2012 MBC series about the life of the second caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab, also faced similar criticism from religious groups for its depiction of the companions. However, it is worth noting that senior scholars such as Salman al-Ouda and Yusuf al-Qaradawi supported the series and participated in maintaining its historicity. In response to the criticisms surrounding "Muawiya," the series' writer, Khaled Salah, stated that his aim was not to present a specific narrative. "Muawiya is not just a politician or a military leader who fought with the sword, but he is a human being who was shaped by time, just as fire shapes steel—harsh when necessary, and gentle when thoughtfulness is required," Salah said. "We did not write history in black and white. We did not look at Muawiya merely as a ruler, but as a soul that lived, suffered, triumphed, erred, and then went to his fate like all those who came before him."