Counsel Before Setting Out
Abu Bakr made Yazid one of the four commanders of the conquest of Syria, with Abu Ubayda, Amr ibn al-As, and Shurahbil. As he sent him off he gave him a parting counsel — to consult Abu Ubayda, “the trustworthy man of this Ummah,” and Mu’adh ibn Jabal; and a stern warning against ever appointing a kinsman to office merely out of love. 1 Hayatus Sahaba · Vol 2 · pp. 153–155 — Kandhlawi — Abu Bakr's counsel to Yazid before he leaves for Syria; consult Abu Ubayda and Mu'adh; beware nepotism.
Governor of Damascus
After Yarmuk Yazid was appointed the first Muslim governor of Damascus, and from there he took Sidon, Beirut, Jubayl and the coastal towns of Syria. He sent his brother Mu’awiya to Arqa, which yielded without resistance. 2 History of Islam · Vol 1 · pp. 308, 327–329 — Najeebabadi — Yazid governor of Damascus; takes Sidon, Beirut, and the coastal towns; sends Mu'awiya to Arqa.
The Plague
In 18 AH the plague of Amwas took him in Damascus. Umar then named his brother Mu’awiya in his place. 3 Al-Farooq · pp. 235 — Shibli Nomani — Yazid dies in the plague of Amwas; Umar appoints Mu'awiya in his place.
Life Timeline
Born in Makkah
Of Banu Umayya; brother of Mu'awiya.
Commands the army to Syria with Abu Bakr's parting counsel
Damascus falls — Yazid its first governor
Dies of the plague of Amwas
References
- Hayatus Sahaba — Kandhlawi — Abu Bakr's parting counsel to Yazid: consult Abu Ubayda 'the Amin of this Ummah' and Mu'adh; beware of nepotism Vol 2 · pp. 153–155
- History of Islam — Najeebabadi — Yazid governor of Damascus; takes Sidon, Beirut and the coastal towns Vol 1 · pp. 308, 327–329
- Al-Farooq — Shibli Nomani — Yazid dies in the plague of Amwas; Mu'awiya appointed in his place pp. 235