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Period: Jan 1, 656 to Jan 1, 661
First Muslim Civil War (or the Great Fitna)
Triggered by the overthrow of the Rashidun caliphs. Beginning with the assasination of Uthman, and ending with Husayn acknowledging the rule of Muawiya as caliph.
Source: Uthman, The Third Khalifa of the Muslims
http://www.al-islam.org/restatement-history-islam-and-muslims-sayyid-ali-ashgar-razwy/uthman-third-khalifa-muslims -
Jan 1, 661
Muawiya named caliph
Son of Abu Sufyan, Muhammad's most bitter Umayyad opponent, Muawiya became caliph after the death of Ali.
One of his first orders of business was to transfer the capital from Madina to Damascus, where the first major "systematic encounters" between Greek and Islamic thought took place.
Source: Hewer, p 64 -
Jan 1, 732
Umayyad European Expansion halted
The Umayyad expansion into Europe was halted by Charles Martel in the Battle of Tours. The Muslim army retreated during night, ceasing further entrance into the West. -
Period: Jan 1, 744 to Nov 1, 750
The Third Mislim Civil War (or The Third Fitna)
This was the final blow to the Umayyad Dynasty. The increasing secularization of the tradition led to a great discontent regarding the Marwānid rule and thier ability to seek out , based in scripture and tradition,how Muslim life should look.
A group called the Abbasids " joined others opposing the empire’s secular emphasis," toppling the dynasty.
Source: http://www.middleeastpdx.org/resources/original/the-golden-age-of-islamic-achievement/lesson-1-history-of-the-abbasid-and-umayyad-dynasties/ -
Completion of The Dome of the Rock
Under direction of 'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, The Dome of the Rock earned the distinction of being the very first Muslim monument.
The site is specific to both Jews and Muslims. Jews maintain Abraham attempted sacrifice of Issac at this location, while Islamic tradition insist this is the site of Laylat al-Mi'raj (Night of Ascension.)
Source: The Dome of the Rock
http://www.bu.edu/mzank/Michael_Zank/Jerusalem/domeoftherock.html -
Battle of Karbala
The Shi'a believers had never accepted Muawiya as caliph, because he was not Ahl al-Bayt (as were Ali, Fatima and thier two sons Hasan and Husayn.)
In this year Husayn was on his way with a group from Madina to Kufa and was attacked and killed by the Umayyad army, under the command of Yazid.
Shi'a's still recall this event with mourning and sadness with days of mourning.
Source: Hewer, pp 39-40 The image shown is one called The Battle of Karbala -
Death of Muawiya
Muawiya I died and appointed his son Yazid I as his successor. This appointment was not well recieved, as Muawiya did not seek the counsel of respected elders or leaders in the community (per tradition,) but rather took a more secular approach. Source: Lesson 1: History of the Abbasid and Umayyad Dynasties-Middle East Teaching Tools
http://www.middleeastpdx.org/resources/original/the-golden-age-of-islamic-achievement/lesson-1-history-of-the-abbasid-and-umayyad-dynasties/ -
Abd' al Malik as caliph
Abd' al Malik was one of the most effective Umayyad rulers.
He pressed for Arabic to be made the common language, built many new mosques (as well as the Dome of the Rock) and instituted common coinage all in the name of Islam. Source:http://www.middleeastpdx.org/resources/original/the-golden-age-of-islamic-achievement/lesson-1-history-of-the-abbasid-and-umayyad-dynasties/ -
Coins standardized by size and weight, used across Islamic Empire
Occurs following victory over rebels in central Arabia called Kharajites. It is said that this was in direct response to the domination and can be seen as a way to strengthen rule across the Empire. Source: Court Cultures in the Muslim World: Seventh to Nineteenth Centuries, edited by Albrecht Fuess, Jan-Peter Hartung, p 47
and
http://www.middleeastpdx.org/resources/original/the-golden-age-of-islamic-achievement/lesson-1-history-of-the-abbasid-and-umayyad-dynasties/ -
Period: to
Second Muslim Civil War (or the Second Fitna)
It was during this period that the factions present within the Umayyad dynasty came to a head. The Sufyanid branch of the family was pushed out and power was transfered to the Marwanid branch. This functioned as a second weakening blow to the dynasty.
