English translation
4684. Usaid bin Zuhair Al-Anṣārī, who was one of Banu Ḥārīṭah narrated that there was the governor of Al-Yamāmah, and Marwān wrote to him saying that Mu'āwiyah had written to him, saying that any man who had something stolen from him had more right to it wherever he found it. Then Marwān wrote saying that to me (Usaid). I wrote to Marwān saying that the Prophet ﷺ had ruled that if the one who bought it from the one who stole it is not guilty of anything (and did not realize that it was stolen goods), then the owner has the choice: If he wishes, he may buy it from the one who bought it from the thief, or if he wishes he may go after the thief. Abû Bakr, 'Umar and 'Uthmân also passed judgment along these lines. Marwân sent my letter to Mu'âwiyah, and Mu'âwiyah wrote to Marwân (saying): 'Neither you nor Usaid are in a position to tell me what to do, rather I am the one who tells you what to do because I am superior in rank to you, so do what I tell you.' Marwân sent the letter of Mu'âwiyah to me, and I said: 'I will not judge according to Mu'âwiyah's opinion as long as I am the governor.'" (Sahih)