The `Abbasid Revolution

HIST 10079/20/13

`Umar II (r. 717-720)• Noted for his piety• Outlaw “immoral” activities (drinking, public nudity, etc.)• Employing religious scholars• Patronizing religious institutions• Providing for equality of Arab and non-Arab Muslims

Jami `Umari Mosque, Busra, Syria

Responses to Reforms

• Disinterest in expanding conversion• Equality of Muslims damages Arab standing• Peasant converts freed from taxes (jizya)• Expansion of land tax (kharaj)• Lack of consistency between caliphs

Palace of Hisham (r. 724-743), Rusafa, Syria

Disaffection with Umayyads

• Sunni Scholars and Jurists• Agree with the concept of a universal caliph ruling a united umma• Disagree with political and military policies• Disagree with imperial nature• Seek independence from the caliphate

Umayyad Mosque, Aleppo, Syria

Disaffection with the Umayyads• Shi’ite Muslims• Rightful authority in the ahl al-bayt• 736-740 – Revolt in Kufa• Mass arrests and executions• Zayd b. `Ali (695-740) – grandson of Husayn

– 740 – Zayd leads failed revolt– Beginnings of Zaydi (Fiver) Shi’ism– Any descendent of Hasan or Husayn who shows excellence in knowledge and stands up to oppressors may be imam

Disaffection with the Umayyads• Arabs• Prominence of Syrian Arabs in military• Removal of non-Syrian Arabs from military• Elevated status of non-Arabs in military and bureaucracy• Expansion of taxation• Breakdown of elite status of Arab-Muslims

Qasr Kharana, Jordan

Disaffection with the Umayyads

• Non-Arabs• Inconsistent treatment after `Umar II• Large numbers employed in military and

administration• Unequal pay and status• Conversion brought new taxes, not less

Lesser Kyz Kala, Marw, Turkmenistan

The `Abbasids

• Descendants of `Abbas b. `Abd al-Muttalib• Uncle of the Prophet Muhammad who converted late• Abu Hashim – grandson of `Ali, focus of Hashimiyya movement• Designated authority to `Abbas’s great grandson Muhammad b. `Ali

`Abbasid Dawa

• Dawa – secretive propaganda mission• Did any of this start with the `Abbasid family?• Anti-Umayyad forces in Kufa• Angry over declining status of Kufa• Not sure of Shi’ite chances of victory• Looking for figurehead to oppose Umayyad rule

`Abbasid Dawa

• ca. 720 – Organizing conspiracy centered on Muhammad b. `Ali

• Humayma (Jordan)• Bukayr b. Mahan –Wealthy soldier fromSistan turned anti-Umayyad propagandist

`Abbasid Dawa• No mention of the `Abbasids• al-rida min aal Muhammad (the chosen one

from the family of Muhammad)• People are supporting unknown party• But do they think they’re Shi’ites?!• Popular Messianism and the Mahdi

Khurasan and the Dawa

• Abu Muslim (ca. 700 – 755)• Persian of unknown background• Joins `Abbasid dawa before 736• Propagandist in Khurasan• Khurasan home to disgruntled Persians and Arab soldiers

From dawa to Revolution

• Death of Umayyad Caliph Hisham b. `Abd al-Malik (r. 724-743)

• Third Fitna begins as civil war within Umayyad family

• Four different caliphs in the year after Hisham’s death

• Expansion ends, attacks on frontiers

From dawa to Revolution

• Dec. 747 – Abu Muslim raises black banners in Marw

• Support from a mixture of Kufan and Khurasani Arabs and Persians• Abu Salama – leader of dawa in Kufa• Ibrahim – Muhammad b. `Ali’s son and successor

Great Kyz Kala, Marw, Turkmenistan

`Abbasid Revolution

• 747 – Umayyads imprison and kill Ibrahim b. Muhammad• Abu al-`Abbas `Abdullah b. Muhammad al-Saffah –

brother and successor to Ibrahim• Oct. 749 - `Abbasids take Kufa and al-Saffah declares himself caliph• Feb. 750 – Battle of the Zab River• 300 Umayyad relatives killed in battle

14th century painting of al-Saffah

End of the Umayyads

• 750 – Abu Muslim leads capture of Damascus• Marwan II flees to Egypt• Aug. 6, 750 – Marwan captured and killed• `Abd al-Rahman (grandson of Hisham) flees to Spain as only surviving Umayyad prince• Establishes new Umayyad dynasty in Spain

Statue of `Abd al-Rahman I in Almunecar, Spain