An Outline of Early History of Islam pdf

 An Outline of Early History of Islam (Umayyads) Da’wah Academy International Islamic University (Pakistan)

AN OUTLINE OF EARLY HISTORY OF ISLAM (UMAYYADS)

An Outline of Early History of Islam (Umayyads)

1. Establishment of the Umayyad Rule:

Transfer of Power to Mu’áwiya: Transfer of power to Mu’áwiya ended a democratic form of government.

The caliphate now became a kind of hereditary monarchy, acquired by the sword, diplomacy or intrigue, not by election and majority support.

When Muřáwiya had allegiance sworn to his son Yazid, a hereditary succession began which based the caliphate on political rather than religious considerations.

 Influenced by conditions in Syria (which had long been a vassal state of the Byzantine empire in pre-Arab days), Mu’áwiya intended to model the caliphate on the hereditary monarchies of Persia and the Byzantine Empire This becomes clear in his words: “I am the first of the kings”!

During the reign of Mu‘áwiya, the Muslim empire extended in the East as far as Lahore in Pakistan. The primary attention of this Caliph was turned to Byzantine territories in the north and west.

The Umayyad fleet reached 1700 warships, enabling Mu‘áwiya to conquer many islands, among which were Rhodes and other Greek islands. He also prepared armies for both winter and summer invasions of the Byzantine Empire,

These invasions were called al-Shawàti (i.e. winter invasions) and al- Sawa’if (i.e. summer invasions).

In the year 48/688, Nua planned a sea and land invasion of Constantinople under the leadership of Yazîd. However, the Muslims were compelled to retreat after they had lost many men and battleships.

Two years later Ifriqiyya (Tunisia) was conquered, and many of the Berbers embraced Islam.

The city of Qayrawân was built and made the capital.’ 1 Mu‘áwiya had his son Yazìd declared crown-prince, despite his promise in the treaty of peace concluded with Hasan ibn ‘Ali to leave the succession open to Muslim choice.

The declaration was enacted despite the opposition of the people and led to further discussion and civil war. (B) Changes in Government: Mu‘áwiya was a powerful ruler and a good administrator.

He was a crafty, diplomat – and has been well compared to Richelieu whose profound knowledge of human nature enabled him to gain over men of moderate opinions in all parties opposed to him.

He instituted many changes in government administration, and he founded the king’s lancers.

Provision was made during his reign for a special section in the mosque where during prayers he might be protected from a fate like that of ‘Alìs. 3 Mu‘áwiya introduced the official seal for dispatch of memoranda from the caliph.

A true copy of each memorandum was made, then pierced by a thread and sealed with wax; it was finally impressed with the seal of office. Mu‘áwiya was also the first to use the mails for quick notification of events.

Trained horses were kept ready at stations When the rider arrived, he changed his tired horse and rode to the next station. The process was repeated until he reached his destination.’ (C) Grave Events in Yazıd’s Reign:

In the year 60/680 Mu’áwiya died at the age of sixty. He left the leadership of the Muslims to his son.

Yazıd was the son of Maysùn, a Bedouin woman whom Mu’áwiya had married before he became caliph. She did not enjoy life in Damascus, and palace luxury did not attract her Bedouin spirit.?

So Mu’áwiya sent her and her son back to her own place and there Yazid grew up with the characterise Bedouin love for amusement, hunting, generosity, song and poetry (in this last he inherited his mother’s poetic talent).

His skill in composing poetry led people to say that poetry began with one ruler ended with another, referring to Imri’ul Qays and Yazid. Yazid rules lasted three and a half years.

During this period, three grave incidents took place. In the first year, Husayn, the younger son of * Ali, was murdered; in the second year Madinah was plundered; and in the third year the Ka’ba was raided. 

When Yazid ascended the throne some of the nobility of Madinah refused to swear allegiance to him. He wrote to the governor of this city asking him to urge these people to take the oath. ‘Abd Allàh ibn ‘Abbas and ‘Umar consented, but ‘Abd Allàh ibn az-Zubayr refused;

fled to Makkah, sought shelter in the Prophet’s tomb, and announced his own claim on the caliphate.

He found a strong rival in Husayn, whom he could not venture to oppose and so he abandoned the matter for a while. When