The Status of 'Umar ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz and Mu'awiyah (may Allah be pleased with them both)

The questioner:
The merciful ones regarding 'Umar ibn Abi al-'Aziz (may Allah have mercy on him) and his agreement with Mu'awiyah (may Allah be pleased with him). Did the Caliph err regarding 'Umar ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz?

The Shaykh:
'Umar ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz (may Allah have mercy on him) is undoubtedly a just and pious Caliph, and the people loved him for his faith and truthfulness (may Allah be pleased with him) and his scrupulousness. However, he does not rank with the Rightly Guided Caliphs, nor does he rank with the Companions. Mu'awiyah is better than 'Umar ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz without a doubt. I mean, Mu'awiyah was a Companion, and no one ranks with the Companions. 'Umar ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz came after them, and he was a righteous man who struggled in the cause of Allah and was just; there is no doubt in that. But no matter who he was, he does not rank with the Companions; he does not rank with the Companions.