English Translation

Muhammad ibn Salih ibn Hani' narrated to me, al-Husayn ibn al-Fadl al-Bajali narrated to us, Affan ibn Muslim narrated to us, Hammad ibn Salama narrated to us from Thabit, from Uqba ibn Abd al-Ghafir who said: Hadrat Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be well pleased with them both) entered upon Hadrat Mu'awiya ibn Abi Sufyan (may Allah be well pleased with him) while the clans of Quraysh were gathered around him. Mu'awiya asked him about their forefathers until he said: 'What do you say about your father al-Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib?' He said: 'May Allah have mercy on Abu al-Fadl! By Allah, he was the uncle of the Prophet of Allah and the delight of the Beloved Messenger of Allah's eye. Chief of the uncles and companions, grandfather of grandfathers, his forefathers were the most generous and his ancestors the most noble. He had knowledge of affairs adorned by forbearance, and understanding crowned him. His resolve cut like every keen blade, and every hesitant opponent yielded to his judgment. The companions diminished at the mention of his merit, and lineages fell short at the mention of his clan. The master of the House, the Siqaya, the lineage, and the kinship. And why should he not be so? And how could he not be so? - when the one who guided his affairs was the noblest of those who managed and the most discerning of those who emerged and rode from the Quraysh.'"