Is the Prophet’s, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, refusal to marry Fatimah bint Qays to Mu’awiyah due to his poverty contradictory to the hadith “If there comes to you one whose دين (religious commitment) and خلق (character) you approve of, then marry him” which did not mention poverty or wealth as a criterion?

There is no contradiction between the hadiths of Fatimah bint Qays and Abu Hurayrah. The hadith of Abu Hurayrah was weakened by some scholars, and even if it is accepted, it does not contradict the hadith of Fatimah. The hadith of Abu Hurayrah encourages marriage to a person of religious commitment and good character, while the hadith of Fatimah clarifies the preference between suitors. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, made a preference between men who were all people of religious commitment and good character, and he preferred Usama because he was not blameworthy, unlike Mu'awiyah, who was poor, and Abu Jahm, who was a striking man. It is permissible for a woman to reject a poor suitor, even if he is religious and of good character, because she has the right to marry someone who will not cause her hardship due to his poverty.