The `Abbasid Revolution

1. The `Abbasid Revolution HIST 1007 9/20/13

2. `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 `UmariMosque, Busra, Syria

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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 QasrKharana, Jordan

7. 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

8. 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

9. `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

10. `Abbasid Dawa • ca. 720 – Organizing conspiracy centered on Muhammad b. `Ali • Humayma (Jordan) • Bukayr b. Mahan – Wealthy soldier from Sistan turned anti- Umayyad propagandist

11. `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

12. 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

13. From dawato 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

14. 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 dawain Kufa • Ibrahim – Muhammad b. `Ali’s son and successor Great Kyz Kala, Marw, Turkmenistan

15. `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

16. 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