Caliphate of Mu'awiya ibn Yazid

Mu'awiya ibn Yazid was made caliph by his father's testament in Rabi' al-Awwal 64 AH. al-Suyuti describes him as a good young man. ²

He was ill when he was made caliph, and he remained ill until he died. He did not go out to the people and did not lead them in prayer. The account says that his caliphate lasted forty days, and it is also said two months, and three months. He died aged twenty-one, though some say twenty. ²

al-Suyuti relates that when he was dying he was asked: "Will you not appoint a successor?" He said that he had not tasted its sweetness, so he would not bear its bitterness. ²