#Alahazrat, FR 10:201 According to us, the people of truth, Imam Bukhari is to Imam Abu Hanifah as Hazrat Amīr Muawiyah is to the lightsome, leader of the faithful, helper of the Muslims, our master, our guardian, Ali al-Murtada karramAllahu waj'hahu. The differences in rank are innumerable and the truth is with Haydar Karrār [the attacking lion, Ali] but Muawiyah too is our leader and reviling him is the work of sinners. Whoever turns away from the precedence, superiority, honour and perfection of the lion of Allah in favour of Muawiyah; he is a nasibi, follower of Yazid. Allah save us. And whoever forgets the companionship of Muawiyah and his connection to RasulAllah ﷺ, such a person is a shi'i zaydi. Praise to Allah, this is the etiquette of us people of moderation and of the middle path in every matter. According to us, ibn al-Jawzi is as such compared to our master Ghawth al-Azam and Mawlana Ali Qari to Shaykh al-Akbar. Neither do we lessen the rank of Imam al-Azam, Ghawth al-Azam and Shaykh al-Akbar due to the objections of Bukhari, ibn Jawzi and Ali Qari nor do we attack the latter due to their error in understanding. We know that their reason for objection was not their ego. Rather, they did not reach the elevated understanding of those exalted beloved's of Allah. Undoubtedly, their objections are incorrect and the objectors are forgiven and the rank of those objected upon remains the highest and purest. And all praise to Allah, Lord of the worlds and salutations and peace upon the leader of the messengers, Muhammad, his family and companions; his awliya and ulama, his people and group - all of them - āmīn. And Allah ta'ala knows best and His knowledge is complete.
Alahazrat explains it beautifully the difference in rank of Imam Bukhari and Imam Abu Hanifah; Sayyiduna Ali and Hazrat Muawiyah; ibn Jawzi and Ghawth al-Azam. http://www.alahazratnetwork.org/modules/booksofalahazrat/item.php?page=191&itemid=26
