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Rise and Fall of the Abbasid Revolution

Explore the transformative Abbasid Revolution, from Umar II's reforms to the downfall of the Umayyads, including the pivotal role of Abu Muslim and the rise of the Abbasid caliphate in 750. Discover the key players, events, and societal shifts that shaped this historical period.

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Rise and Fall of the Abbasid Revolution

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  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

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