As regards the question, we cite a fatwa by Dr. Marawan Shahin, Professor of Hadith and Its Sciences, Faculty of `Usul Ad-Din (Theology), Al-Azhar University, who says:
“The scholars of Hadith hold the view that the Prophetic Companions (may Allah be pleased with them all) are the best of all generations. After them come the Successors and then the followers of the Successors.
as for Mu`wiyyah, he was one of the most dignified Companions and he belongs to the best generation, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said that the best generations were the three generations after him.
We all know that `Umar ibn `Abdul-`Aziz is the fifth Rightly Guided Caliph and has many virtues. When some Muslim scholars were asked who is better, Mu`awiyyah or `Umar ibn `Abdul-`Aziz, they showed sadness and said, “As for Mu`awiyyah, he is his (the Prophet’s) Companion, his brother-in-law (the brother of Umm Habibah, the Prophet’s wife) and the scribe of revelation.” Such reply refers to the fact that those scholars reject making a comparison between one of the Companions and another person, even if the latter is among the high-ranked Successors.
The fight that occurred among the Companions was based on their ijtihad (personal reasoning). Each thought that he was right and the others mistaken and that he was obliged to stand for what is right. It was never a fight for power, as some people may think.
hence, a Muslim should avoid discussing this fight or going into its details. We should make the best use of what happened and avoid differences among Muslims so as to avoid any further fights. “this is the status of Mu`awiyah in Islam and the same is to be said on part of `Amr ibn Al-`Aas, may Allah be pleased with them all! Both of them were companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and their work in service of Islam is widely known. `Amr ibn Al-`As has led the Muslim army in many victorious conquest, he was on the top of the Muslim army to Palestine , Jordan and Egypt . `Amr ibn Al-`As was a good practicing Muslim and loved the Prophet (peace be upon him) very much. He said, “By Allah, I did not love or glorify anybody more than the Prophet (peace be upon him).” And he used to say, “I could not look to him in the eye because of awe. If I were to be asked to describe him I would not be able to, because I could not look to him in the eye.” (Narrated by Muslim)
again we state that what a true Muslim should believe is that both these men are companions of the Prophet and he (peace be upon him) died while being pleased with them. So, we should owe them all love and respect. They worked a lot and made every effort for the service of Islam. We must acknowledge for them their due rights and should not bear any kind of hatred or suspicion against them.
May Allah guide all of us to what pleases Him!