History of Muslim Empire Prepared By: Aamir Baloch

Acknowledgment:
“The Depth of Muslim History’s Studies is deeper than the Mariana Trench.” This phrase clearly says that
no single person can acquire every factful knowledge about the History of Islam and Muslims neither
these notes can be 100 percent authentic.

These notes may contain some mistakes as I mentioned above, this paper work is done by me (Aamir
Rahim) a current undergraduate student of History Department, University of Karachi. This paper work
is not based on scholarly research, and facts may contain some loop holes, the preparation of this paper
work is based on lectures noted during class and also some kind of help has been taken from internet
through educational websites, Researched Articles and Youtube educational videos, but this paper work
is absolutely helpful for undergraduate students to attain their exams.

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History of Muslim Empire:

Pre-Islamic Arabia:
 Mostly Arabia was desert and called Jazeera-tul-Arab
 Arabs were Semi-Nomadic Tribes called Bedouin
 Lives in Tribe (Clan + Clan = Tribe)
 They were mostly Polytheist
 By nature, they were furious
 They were good at poetry
 The city of Makkah was Religious Center.
 Makkah was declared as Darul-Arb (a city of peace), violence was prohibited in Makkah.
 There were about 360 Idols in Kaaba.
 The house Hashim was the Head of Kaaba. Banu Hashim was respected and Noble house.
 The Makkah was the Central Hub for Business
 The Cousin Clan, Banu Ommaya was responsible for trade and business management in city and
collects taxes, Politically strong. And authoritarians

Geography:
The pre-Islamic Arabia includes the current regions of Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia
and Yemen, Arabian Peninsula was sandwiched by two great empires of their time, Byzantine and
Persian Sassanid Empire.

Yemen:

Yemen is the highland country and has a favorable climate and plenty full rain and winters are cold,
Yemen also the fruit basket of Arabian Peninsula, it is famous for its grapes garden and famous Mocha
coffee. Yemen was called Himyar before Islam. Sana’a was the main city of Yemen and the master mind
of Battle of Elephants were the head of that city and built a cathedral in Sana’a.

Hadhramaut:

To the east of the Yemen lay Hadhramaut, which was a coastal land. Hadhramaut also have a plenty full
of agriculture. The people of Hadhramaut to loved the sea and traded with the East and the Far East.

Nejd:

Nejd is the center of Arabia. To the south and north of it lie two entirely barren areas; in the south is the
dessert called Rub al Khali, and in the north is the Nufud desset.

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Pre-Islamic Arab People:

The peoples of Arabia distinguished between two types:

Dessert Dwellers the people who lives in dessert and depends upon cattle and migrate from one place
to another as weather changes,

Town Dwellers the people who lives in towns and city like Makkah and Yathrab and depends upon trade
and commerce.

Origins of People In Arabia:

The peoples of Arabia have two origins, Chaldeans and Kahtanites.

Chaldeans; Migrated from Iraq first to live in Makkah and then settled in other cities of Arabia.

Khatanites; they were the Jews from Abraham, Kahtan was the forefather of Abraham.

Pre-Islamic Arab Culture:

Arabs of pre-Islamic Arabia poses some of good qualities such as they were Hospitable and huge
hearted, but often they were quite uncultured like people, it was common among Arabs to fight for
nothing or over minor disputes, Women were not considered in social stratification, and considered as a
lower specie. Female Babies were buried alive. Women have no importance except for lust. Arab culture
includes fight of male members of clans to prove their superiority over others.

Pre-Islamic Poetry:
Chinese & Greeks were known for their Art and Science respectively as same as Arabs were proud on
their poetry. Poetry has an important status in pre-Islamic, the poets in Arabic society filled the role of
historians, most of the pre-Islamic history about Arabs were extracted from the preserved poetry of the
Arabs. Most famous poets are:

 Imru-al-Qais
 Zuhayr Bin Abi Sulma
 Antarah ibn Shaddad

Pre-Islamic Trade of Arabia:

Arabs had very strong network of land and sea trade which was extend from Caucasus mountains to
Malabar of India. The international trade of Arabs were linked with South Asia and Asia Minor. Mostly
Hindus were afraid of sea travels but Arabs used to Voyage through seas and had trade connections with
Indians. Some of Roman cities also used to trade with Arabs such as Syria, when it was the part of
Roman empire.

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The Inter-Trade network among the Arabs cities were also have an important role and Makkah was the
Center for the trade and Damascus the Rival city in Trade. Pilgrimages of all cities of Arabia visits Makkah
and it attracts trade in Makkah, Makkah flourished under trade and taxes. Caravans from Syria and other
southern parts to Yathrab has to stop in Makkah. Cuz Makkah was the middle.

Pre-Islamic Religious of Arabia:

There were a negligible population of Jews and Christians living in Arabia but mostly all Arabian
Peninsula were polytheist. Kaaba it self dwelled some about 360 Idols. These all idols were the God and
Goddesses of different tribes of Arabia. Makkahns called all tribes to station the idol of the God or
Goddess in Makkah so that all can worship in place but the latent feature behind this was economics
and attraction of trade. And they declared Makkah as Darul-Arb (A place where violence was
prohibited). Some historians argue that an idol 360 which was the head of all Gods called Allah means
The God.

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Family tree of Quraish Tribe:

Abraham

Quraish

Qossay

Abd-Al-Manaf Abd-Al-Dar

The son of Al-Shams,

Abd-Al-Shams
Hashim Ommaya quarreled with his
uncle Hashim over some key
posts in Makkah. Omayya

Abu-Muttalib
Abu-Sufyan

ABdullah
Muawiya

Muhammad (S.A.W)

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Hashemites & Umayyads:

The son of Abd-Al-Shams named Ommayya quarreled with his Uncle Hashim over some key post of City
Makkah, the management of city was then distributed among these two all key posts were kept under
the management of Ommayya and religious ceremonies and management of Kaaba was intact for
Hashim. This was the point from where the paths of these two clans diverted. Latter both came to
known as Banu Hashim and Banu Ommaiyya.

Important Figures of Pre-Islamic Arabia:

There are not much preserved Historic records about the pre-Islamic Arabia. The less we know about
pre-Islamic Arabia the less we talk about. There some important figures from the family tree of Prophet
(S.A.W).

Quraish:

 Quraish was the name of person latter became the name of tribe.
 He was the descendant of Prophet Abraham.
 He was the first in Arabia who Built Stone Houses
 First who built his own place and council Hall in Arabia
 He was the forefather of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W)

Qossay:
 Qossay was the forefather of prophet (S.A.W)
 He was the man who unified people of Makkah
 He built public/ Traveler houses for traders
 He died in 480 C.E

Battle of Elephants:
Our Islamic tradition says that 570 CE witnessed an attack on Makkah Specially on Kaaba, the attacked
was backed by the king of Abyssinia, the army led by Abraha the Head of Sana’a city.

He built a cathedral in Sana’a to economic purpose. Makkah was the center due to Pilgrimages at Kaaba.
Abraha decided to destroy Kaaba so that his cathedral would become the center of religious activity and
the city of Sana’a flourishes.

In 570 he led his army with elephants and ran over the Kaaba and the grand father of Prophet (S.A.W)
left its defense on Almighty. And Islamic tradition says that Al-mighty send help in form of birds. Two
stone carried by one bird on two of their legs.

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The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W):

Will be complete soon.

The Four Rightly Guided Caliphs:

The death incident of Prophet (SAW) was an uncertain situation, the Arabs who newly converted to
Islam were disturbed and wondered what was to happen to Islam and new Muslim state of Arabia.

People of Arabia grouped themselves into four major parties, first who was Muhajirin, Muhajirin were
mostly Quraishi, 2nd was Madinites mostly from Ansar.

3rd was a small group at first of those who believed that the true successor of Prophet (SAW) must be
from his Son but no son of Prophet (SAW) survived so they claimed that Ali (R.A) the son-in-law of
prophet be his successor.

4th and the last one was an aristocratic family of Abu-Suifyan (Ommayyads) Desired one of them be
selected as Caliph.

Selection of First Caliph:

The tradition of Arabs is to choose the headman of tribe not on grounds of parentage, but on grounds of
seniority, wisdom and prestige. Abu Bakr (RA) was most respected person among the Muslims. The
Muhajirin decided that he should represent them and Omar ibn Al-Khattab, who was very dynamic man
spoke for him to the Ansar, he convinced Ansar. When these two major groups agreed, the other two
parties had to accept the decision. So, Abu Bakr (RA) elected. There was surprise and even
disappointment in some quarters, but no opposition.

Caliphate of Abu-Bakr (RA):

Unstable Situation of Arabia: (632 to 634 CE)

The task before first caliph was not an easy one. There are always some mischievous people in every
nation. The people of Arabia did not completely united in a short period of time, during the life time of
Prophet (SAW). Abu-Bakr (RA) found that a very difficult task was thrust upon him. A number of tribes

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shook off the overlord-ship of Medina and refused to pay homage. And discarded the orders of caliph
some of them even denied Islam.

Important Actions of Abu-Bakr (R.A):

 A man called Musailimah falsely claimed him self a Prophet and called Kazzab (Liar)
 Abu-Bakr send an Army under the command of Khalid ibn-Al-Waleed, he defeated Musuailimah
and his Wife Sajah in battle of Arqabah.
 Abu-Bakr Continued the Campaign of Syria which has been Ordered by Prophet (SAW)
 He ordered for the battle of Yarmouk, this battle was fought with some Byzantine army and an
Arab Tribe Banu Ghassan, Banu Ghassan migrated in Palestine and accepted Christianity.
 Muslims won the battle
 He ordered for the Campaign of Iraq but soon after Abu-Bakr died but his campaigns were
continued by Omar (RS)

Revolt of Musailimah and Sajah:

Musailimah was the worst of rebels, He belongs to Banu Hanifa. Caliph sent an army under his most
talented General Khalid Bin Waleed to crush this rebel, he defeated Kazzab (Liar) in the battle of
Arqabah. Khalid bin Waleed not only defeated him but also draw a lesson for other minor Rebels to
surrender and soon Arabia united under the Banner of Caliph.

Campaign in Syria:
The campaign of Syria was started during the period of Prophet (SAW), When the prophet sent envoys
of goodwill with an invitation to accept the new faith of Islam. The Roman Governor of Byzantine put
the messenger to death. This was happened in 626 CE, the expedition against Syria since started.

But the Campaign boosts up during the era of first caliph;

 In 632CE Abu-Bakr Organized five small armies under

 Abu Hubaida, toward Hims
 Amr Bin Al-As toward Palestine
 Yezid bin Sufiyan toward Damascus
 and Shurahbil bin Hasanah toward Jordan.
 Mouayia was leading a preserve army.
 Each commander was given 3000 fighting men.
 These commanders succeeded in some minor battles against Byzantine.
 The emperor of Byzantine sent down a large army under his brother Theodorus.
 The Caliph ordered Khalid to join the forces in Syria, while Khalid was busy in expedition against
Persians.
 Khalid had done one of the world’s swiftest Marches in history with his 900 men in 18 days.
 His arrival in Damascus spread panic in the ranks of the enemy.

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Battle of Ajnadayn:
As soon as Khalid joined forces of Amr bin Al-as in Syria, the Theodorus met with Muslim army near
Ajnadayn modern day Israel, this was a port city and Christian army was superior by numbers and they
avail their Naval force too, this battle was fought in august 634CE the battle was a decisive victory for
Muslims. Muslims captured southern Syria Levant. But the campaign in Syria was continued even after
the death of first caliph.

Comparison:

Commanders
Khalid Bin Waleed Vardan
Amr bin Al-as Theodore
Abu Ubaida
Shurahbil
Yezid bin abi sufyan

Strength
Muslims Byzantines
10k to 20k 40k to 60k

Consequences of Battle:
It was a decisive Muslim Victory over Byzantine. Byzantine lost nearly 40k to 50k of soldiers and Muslims
at lost nearly 575 soldiers

Casualties
Muslims Christians
575 50k

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Siege of Damascus:
After the battle of Ajnadayn Muslims fought some minor battles with the armies of Syrian Governor, but
finally in august 634 Muslims reached Damascus and besieged the city, this continued for 3 days. At this
point Khalid divided Muslim forces into four and ordered to enter the city from four sides, Khalid’s
forces attacked byzantine army but from the other side at Bab-al Jabiya, Thomas surrendered the city to
Abu Ubaida, he was Abu Ubaida who gave peace to Damascus. Abu Ubaida , Amr Bin Al-as and
Shurabeel was unaware of Khalid’s attack, and conquered city by force from eastern gate, but soon
Byzantine army was given a cease fire of three days.

Abu-Bakr (RA) Campaign in Persian Empire:

The early expedition of Muslims in Persia was not much successful, Muslim Conquered cities but
Persians regained them. Muslim armies were unmatched to large and well-armed superior army. In early
days Muslim army was engage in fighting with two fronts, same time with Persians and Byzantines.

Abu-Bakr RA put forwarded the tasks of Persian expedition but he couldn’t see conquest of Persian
empire, soon he Died and his Successor Umar Continued the campaign in Persia.

Abu Bakr RA sent an army toward the Persian Province Asoristan modern day Iraq, this was the political
and economical Center of Sassanid state. The caliph’s army was led by great General Khalid bin Waleed,
the was besieged but soon after the transfer of Khalid to the Byzantine front in the Levant, the Muslims
lost their footholds in front of Sassanian attacks. This was an 3 years old as the 2nd expedition began in
636CE.

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Caliphate of Umar Ibn Al-Khattab: (634 to 644CE)

Umar Ibn Al-Khattab RA

He was however a much greater man, a man of great powers, of iron will, of stern justice, of passionate
loyalty, and once who had a remarkable gift for administration.

Umar’s Conquest of Persia:

After the succession of Caliph Umar RA, he took stock of the situation and gave orders that the
campaigns in Syria and Iraq be carried on. It was during his reign that the famous battle of Yarmuk was
fought and won. It was now that famous the Muslim army of Iraq came into its own under General Saad
Bin Abi Waqas, it engaged the Persians in a mighty battle at Qadisiya. The Persians were led by their
Shah-en-Shah, the Chosroes himself, whose name was Yezdjird. The Muslims inflicted a sever defeat on
the Persians at this battle. Madain, the capital of Persia, was attacked and captured. The Muslims
entered the town of the mighty Chosroes, Persians fought many other minor battles with Muslims but
defeated, Remaining of Persians pooled all their resources and their Chosroes gave battle to the
advancing Muslim army, this was the battle of Nihavand (641), which laid into dust the glory of the
Sassanids. This was the last battle with Persians, it ended Sassanid Empire and Persian king Yezdjird fled
with small followers and lived for next ten years as a wanderer.

Umar’s Conquest of Syria:

The Muslims were undefeatable in Syria, some of the southern Syria were besieged under the Caliphate
Abu-Bakr RA, but this task was completed by the great Caliph Umar RA, the major battle with Syrian
Army fought by Khalid bin Waleed and Abu Ubaida, for an unknown reason Caliph Omar changed
Commander-in-Chief and title given to Abu Ubaida, Abu Ubaida was good companion of Prophet SAW a
wise and calm man but not an army General. The wise Ubaida kept Khalid as his Deputy General.
Together they fought battle of Yarmouk and siege of Jerusalem.

Battle of Yarmouk: (636CE)

The large Arab tribe named Banu Ghassan allied with Byzantines, had migrated to Palestine, accepted
Christianity and settled in what is now Jordan. Their army challenged Khalid’s small army but Khalid a
lightning speed man defeated them in Battle of Marj Rahit, this battle was fought just moment before
the death of Caliph Abu Bakr RA.

Soon Umar RA elected as new caliph, Campaign in Syria continued, Ubaid became the Commander-in-
Chief and Khalid was now Deputy General.

The two armies of Muslims and Christians met on the banks of small river Yarmouk. the day was hot and
windy, but the high position of Byzantines were in favor of them but soon it turns against them as there

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was dust which caused difficulty for upper stationed forces, Muslims had to climb through the
mountains to fight against Byzantine army, in worst condition King’s soldiers linked themselves together
with chains, the battle was continued for six days, and they couldn’t stand with storming attacks or
Muslims.

Byzantine army was exhausted, Muslim had a victory over Byzantine Army, and Muslims Captured Hims
this was the final major defeat to Byzantine they lost their holdings in Syria completely.

Comparison of Battle of Yarmouk:

Strength
Muslims Christians
35 thousand 300 Thousand

Result of Battle:
Causalities
Muslim Causalities Christian Causalities
3 thousand 40 to 50 thousand
Victor Muslims

Commanders of Yarmouk Battle:

Muslim Commanders: Khalid Bin Waleed RA and Abu Ubaida.

Christian Commander: Heraclius.

Siege of Jerusalem: (636/637CE)

After Yarmouk, Abu Obaida with Khalid, went and besieged Jerusalem city, it was that time, a holy city of
Christians and also called Al-Quds by Muslims.

Abu Ubaida led an attack from one side and Khalid attacked from the other side. Khalid won his way
through fighting, meanwhile the Christian High Priest surrendered to Abu Obaida, who was led into the
town by him. The two armies met in the heart of the town. Abu Ubaida told Khalid that the High Priest
had surrendered. Khalid said: No. We have conquered! Both were right, the matter was referred to the
Caliph at Medina.

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Umar’s RA Journey to Jerusalem:

High Priest Surrendered in terms to sign a surrender with Caliph himself. Umar RA took his camel and
one of his Slave and left for Jerusalem. The wonderful fact about this journey was the that he shared the
rides with his slave: now the master would be up and the slave walking and now the slave would be
riding and master walking. When they entered Jerusalem, they astonished High Priest, saw a curious
spectacle: the great caliph was walking and slave was riding the camel.

The terms of settlement were equally wonderful. Omar RA decided that the half conquered by Muslim
arms would be Muslim territory and the half surrendered by the High Priest would remain under
Christian authority, though under the overlordship of the Muslim governor of the town. Everybody was
satisfied with his decision.

Omar’s Conquest of Egypt:

 Campaign in Ifriqiya and Conquest of Egypt was the 3rd front of Muslim Army.
 Amr Bin Al-As asked Caliph to give him an army for expedition toward Egypt
 Caliph agreed and give him very small army of 4000 horsemen to advance in Egypt.
 Amr was Victorious from the beginning; He first captured the town of Al-Farama in eastern
Egypt.
 Next, he conquered town of Bilbays, which was a important town to Byzantine.
 Soon he came before the walls of the famous fortress of Babiliyun, a great Byzantine center.
 He felt that now he needed more troops to complete the siege of the Fortress of Babiliyun,
 Zubair Bin Aww-am, a leader of Muhajirin, came up with 6,000 men.
 Amr left half of army to besiege Babliyun, and advanced to captured the town of Ayn Shams.
 There Amr said his words to the commander of the city Cyrus, which became famous in history,
He said;

“If you wish to accept Islam, you are welcome and your people are welcome. If you do
so, you become our brothers. But there is no compulsion in our religion. If, however, you
do not wish to become Muslims, you can surrender and pay tribute. We shall treat you
well. If you do not agree, then let us fight it out. Allah will decide.”

 Soon Muslim army captured Cairo and Pushed Byzantines to Alexandria.

 Before the conquest of Alexandria, the Caliph Umar RA had been martyred in Medina.

Omar’s RA Achievements:
 Omar RA ruled a vast land of Muslim Empire, Besides Arabia.
 The Caliphate included Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Persia and Khorasan.
 He retained all the conquered lands the same political divisions, the same currency and the
same civil administration.
 Only he prevails Muslim Law everywhere.
 The Customs, religious practices and laws of conquered lands were protected.

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 He organized the Public Treasury, he fixed pensions for the Companions of the prophet.
 At last he struck by a freed slave in the Mosque of Prophet,

Caliphate of Usman RA: (644 to 656CE)

He was the 3rd Caliph, he was a man of substance, a good businessman, Generous, he was not as much
strong as Umar RA was but he was gentle and saintly old man. He came from the house of Ommayyah,
his election shows that the Muslim made no distinction between the near relations of the Prophet and
the relations of the faction which had opposed the Prophet only twenty years before.

Expeditions Under Usman RA’s Caliphate:

 He had very few expeditions and conquests,
 He soon put and halt to expansion policy but completed some of early expeditions which were
ordered by Umar RA and Abu-Bakr RA.
 In his Caliphate the Muslim army conquered Tripolitania to the west of Egypt.
 The Muslim Navy engaged the Byzantine fleet near Cyprus and defeated it. Cyprus Captured
 A very few minor additions were made on the northern borders of Syria, Iraq and north-eastern
flanks of Persia.
 After that, the wave of expansion stopped and Uprising and unrest Began among Muslims.

Drawbacks of Usman’s RA Caliphate:

 A strong ruler Omar RA helped to maintain the unity of newly united nation.
 Everybody Respected and even feared him.
 His successor was an old and saintly man, but not strong as Omar RA had been.
 Too literally; he (Usman RA) began to give positions of trust to his own relatives all of them from
the house of Ommayyah,
 For instance, he removed Amr bin Al-As, the conqueror of Egypt from his position, and assigned
his own foster-brother Abdullah as the Governor of Egypt.
 Osman RA also Made Marwan bin Hakam, his secretary, many similar appointments were made.
 Things became worse when Usman RA grew older, Marwan soon was issuing orders in the name
of the Caliph. These orders were not just.

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Conspiracies and Rebellions During Usman’s RA Caliphate:

 Soon some people began to talk about the Caliph.
 They said that Caliph was being influenced by an evil-minded man (Marwan).
 There were open talks against Caliph in Medina.
 Talha and Zubair Criticized the actions Caliph, and asked Amma Ayesha RA to interfere, which
she would not do to such a venerable man as the Caliph.
 They also tried to convince Ali RA. But failed in doing so.
 The Caliph was now 80 years old but were not willing to abandon the position for which people
had elected him.

Death of Usman RA:

 Usman RA dismissed Amr bin Al-As, he could not enter the city of Medina.
 His veteran soldiers came in town of Muhammad.
 Some other hot-headed people like Malik al-Ashar and Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr, a young
leader of the insurgents.
 The situation became serious and worst
 Even Ali RA became alarmed and posted his sons near the house of Osman as guards.
 Somehow, the rioters broke into Osman’s house from the back.
 He was reciting Quran but they stuck him down, and his blood was spilled over the pages of the
Holy Book Quran.

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Caliphate of Ali RA: (656 to 661CE)

After the assassination of Usman RA, there was an unstable situation. Things could not be left however,
in a situation of confusion, someone had to take things in hand. There was no difference in opinion at
least in beginning, Ali RA the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet SAW was elected unanimously.

He was the man who knew no political tricks, He saw truth clearly and knew where his duty lay.
He considered Caliphate as a trust.

Upcoming Problems for the Caliphate of Ali RA:

Ali RA elected as Caliph under the state of Confusion. It was not clear, where the trouble come from, but
there were signs that trouble would be from three possible sources.

1. The Ommayyads, a prominent member of whose clan had been assassinated. Their leader was
Muawiyah, who had been governor of Syria and Palestine for over fifteen years, can Cause
trouble to Caliphate.
2. The Prominent Medinites, such as Talha and Zubair, protested strongly against the alleged
favoritism of Usman RA.
3. The extremists, a body of puritans who disliked political intrigues and wanted to live according
to a literal interpretation of the Word of Allah.

Unrest in Medina and Syria:

 His Caliphate went through unrest wars and troubles.
 Ali RA decided to move capital to more central part to oversee the Empire.
 He shifted Capital from Medina Kufa
 This shift of Capital was the immediate cause of trouble for Ali RA.
 In absence of Caliph there were uprisings in Medina.
 His next action, removing unsuitable officials from posts which were raised high offices by
Osman RA, caused more fuel in situation.
 Talha and Zubair in Medina conspired the martyrdom of Usman RA on him (Ali RA).
 They tried against Amma Ayesha against Ali RA
 They pursued her that she ought to avenge the blood of Osman RA.
 Both went to her and told her that Malik al-Ashtar and her own brother Muhammad ibn Abu-
Bakr had been the leaders of the riot which ended in the death of Osman RA.
 Final she persuaded. Which led battle of Camel.

Battle of the Camel: (656CE)

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 The master minds of battle of camel were Zubair and Talha.

 The world knows Ali RA was innocent.
 Medinites assembled an army and marched toward kufa.
 Ali did not wanted bloodshed of Muslims.
 He met the advancing army near Basra in 656CE.
 He tried his best to stop this senseless war, but he failed.
 Ali ordered Aisha must be captured so that war can reach to an end.
 Medinites fought round the camel fanatically and the battle is known as “the Battle of Camel”.
 Seventy people died before Aisha’s brother Muhammad Abu-Bakr reached near her to capture
her.
 Muhammad reached to her and tried to lift her out.
 At this outrage she cried out,

“What impious hand dare to touch the Mother of Muslims?”

 Muhammad ibn Abu-Bakr said;

“the same whom your mother carried in her womb for many months.”
 The battle ended in a victory for Ali.
 Talha and Zubair lost their lives on the battlefield,
 Ali RA treated Aisha with great honor, she was escorted safely to Medina.

Battle of Siffin:
 Soon after Medinites revolt Muawiya RA decided to claim be an avenger of Usman’s death.
 He was the governor of Syria and accumulated great power of his own, and poses a great army.
 First task in-front of Muawiya was to gain public support, so showed the blood-stain shirt of
Usman RA to people and asked for his revenge.
 Soon he felt enough strong position to fight Ali RA.
 Muawiyah’s army moved east.
 Ali’s army moved north.
 Both armies met at Siffin which lay in north-eastern Syria.
 Soon Muawiyah found he could not hold against Ali
 He implemented a strategy; he asked his soldiers to tie Quran with their swords so that Ali may
not attack.
 Ali knew his trick, but it works, Ali refused to attack but some of his men were became angry on
him.
 Muawiyah knew, he cannot defeat Ali’s forces so he asked for Negotiation.
 Ali wanted no bloodshed, he accepted to negotiate.

Negotiation between Muawiyah & Ali (RA):

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 Muawiyah proposed that both choose nominees.

 Ali has chosen Musa Abu-Ashari, Muawiyah has Chosen Amr ib-Al-As.
 Negotiation made a curios decision.
 They announced that both Muawiyah and Ali should resign.
 This was really a condemnation of Ali.
 Muawiyah was sub-ordinate of Ali, he already rebelled against his caliph, he must not continue
in his office.
 Verdict was against Ali, he did not accept it.
 Bothe armies retreated.
 Soon situation worsen when Amr ibn-Al-As openly called Muawiyah as the De Facto Caliph.

Khawarij Rebellion:
These Khawarij were radical puritans, after the negotiation of Ali & Muawiyah, Khawarij disagreed with
Ali, and latter on openly turned against him, and they called them self Khawarij, means secedes, those
who have withdrawn.

They elected their own Caliph named Abdullah Al-Rasibi. Soon they revolted. Ali defeated them at
Nahrawan.

Situation in Syria:
Syria was now somehow a self-governing state under Caliphate of Muawiyah, while Ali was busy with
Khawarij and defeated them at Nahrawan, Muawiyah seeing Ali so occupied, He sent an army into Egypt
and reconquered it. He then appointed Amr ibn Al-As as his own governor in Egypt.

Assassination of Ali RA:

Caliphate was divided and there was Chaos in Muslim world. The Khawarij who went underground after
the defeat at Nahrawan jumped out once again.

Khawarij thought that the main culprits of Division of Islam was Muawiyah, Ali and Amr ibn-Al-As, they
considered Amr as an evil person. Khawarij plotted against three of them to kill them all at same time.
But Muawiyah escaped , Amr ibn Al-As was secured but Ali RA was struck by a Khawarij with a poisoned
sword. A true leader of Muslims, a Man of Allah and a great Companion of Prophet SAW Martyred. This
put an end to true and Rightly guided Caliphate.

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Rule of Muawiyah RA: (661 to 680CE)

Succession of Amir Muawiyah RA:

Soon after the assassination of Ali RA, Muawiyah left unchallenged and powerful man in Islamic world.
At first people Chosen Imam Hassan RA as their Caliph but Muawiyah challenged him, he feard the
bloodshed and therefore retired to Medina and Muawiyah was left unchallenged. Amir Muawiyah
offered to settle a liberal pension for Ahl-al-Bait. He then shifted Capital from Kufa to Damascus.

Experience of Amir Muawiyah RA:

He was very capable ruler and had plenty of experience behind him. He had been governor of Syria for
nearly 20 years and had built up a Syrian army and Navy.

He had joined Abdullah ibn Abi Sarh, the governor of Egypt, in the days of Osman. He defeated the
Byzantine navy in the battle of Dhu-al-Sawari (the battle of masts)

Conquests of Muawiyah
Before going toward his conquests, we must have a insight of regions and there old names:

Magrib-al-Aqsa: Extrem west of Africa’s northern belt called Magrib-al-Alqsa.

Magrib-al-Adna: Central part of northern of Africa called Magrib-al-Adna.

Ifriqiya: The region which includes Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Western Libya and eastern Algeria.

 Muawiyah sent his famous General, Uqbah bin Nafi toward Ifriqiya.
 Uqbah Conquered what is now Tunisia. He found there the city of Qairawan in 670.
 He Conquered Cairo and headed toward Alexandria.
 During this expedition Muslim army faced tough time by Berbers.
 Other Army Generals expedited in central Asia.
 The Muslim army completed the conquest of Khorasan and Reached to Bhukara.
 In the east the entered in a country know called Afghanistan.
 In the north of Syria and Iraq Amir Muawiyah organized a system of Ghazwahs against Byzantine
Empire, annually.
 In his reign Muslims Conquered Cairo and surroundings.

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Naval Expedition of Amir Muawiyah RA:

The very important advancement of Amir Muawiyah is that he had built up a naval force and advanced
other battalions. Muslim Navy was strengthened enough to challenge the emperor of Byzantine and the
City Constantinople.

Amir Muawiyah sent an army under his son Yezid towards Constantinople in 669. Yezid led a siege
against famous City Constantinople. It is said that the companion of Prophet SAW buried along the walls
of Constantinople, though Muslims lifter siege and left. Muslim again attacked Constantinople in 674
and this siege was continued for 7 years. The siege was unsuccessful but taught a lesson the Christians,
no to dare any attack on Muslims.

Enlisting of Yezid for Next Caliph:

Amir Muawiyah maintained Muslim empire wisely and increased the prestige of the Muslim Empire in
all over the world. But in last 6 months of his life, he made a great mistake, he mentioned his son Yezid’s
name for his successor. And asked for allegiance from courtiers for Yezid.

Succession of Yezid I:
Muawiyah declared his own son as his successor without knowing the fact either he will be accepted by
Majority? Yezid were nominated as Caliph. The life style which Yezid was enjoying were not acceptable
by many Muslims. They condemned his Caliphate. In Kufa, many of them had strong views about the
duties of Caliphs. They said, the nomination Yezid is an insult to God and Man.

Kufan Invited Imam Hussain:

The Kufans wrote to Imam Hussain and begged him to come to Kufa and guide them. They said Kufa was
the seat of his father’s government. They said it was your duty to save Muslims and Islam and the future
generations would never forgive him.

At first Imam Hussain refused and said that we are unequal to Yezid at current. Kufans wrote back and
assured of their allegiance.

Journey toward Kufa:

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 In September of 680 Imam Hussain left for Kufa.

 He reached near the ends of the Euphrates river late October.
 Governor of Kufa heard about his way toward Kufa.
 The governor, Obaidullah ibn Ziyad, was the 2nd cousin of Yezid, he was a cruel man.
 Governor sent a patrol under the command of Hurr ibn Yezid Tamimi.
 He orders to intercept Imam Hussain but after talks he convinced, and joined his party.
 The furious Obaidullah sent Omar Ibn Saad. Son of Saad bin Abi Waqas.
 He challenged Imam Hussain RA.
 And asked Imam to accept the Allegiance of Caliph Yezid.
 Imam Hussain denied the allegiance of Yezid.

Battle of Qarbala: (10 oct 680CE)

 The Commander Omar was considering the proposal of Imam Husain, but his captain shimr ibn
Zil-Joshan, spoke against the move.
 Shimr’s own battalion fall upon imam Hussain’s small band.
 Imam Hussain with his friends, family and close relative, numbered nearly hundreds.
 The finally battle began at about ten in the morning 10th oct 680CE.
 There were many individual combats, the followers of Imam were fighting bravely, but it was
with an equal army.
 One by one All of his followers martyred.
 At last Imam him self left. He went on a horse, for a while no one dare to touch him. but
Captains like Shimr, the soldiers advanced and attacked Imam Hussain RA. His head and all other
Ahl-al-Bait were sent to Yezid.
 Some historians said that Yezid repeatedly denied the responsibility of Qarbala, he said it was
not his orders but Obaida’s himself.

Consequences of Qarbala:
Qarbala was great tragedy in history of Islam, and even called the Cruelest battle in world history. This
tragedy was the mile stone of division among Muslims. And this was the start of Dynastic system of rule
in Muslim world. This tragedy led Muslims dissolve within their own powers.

Yezid: (680 to 683CE)

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Yezid came into throne in 680CE. He had won repute in his early life during the siege of Constantinople,
but latter on he adopted the life style of Byzantine Prince. He was totally accepted among Ommayyads
and his name was read in the Khutbah everywhere except Makkah and Medina.

By the time he came to the seat of Caliphate he modelled his life with Liquor, enjoyed Mix gatherings,
and kept dogs which is against Islam.

Yezid’s Attack on Madina:

Yezid was a villain in Islamic history. If there was rising, he knew it had to be put down.

There was a rising in Makkah against the rule Yezid. He send his general Muslim bin Uqbah, with an
army into Hijaz. He defeated Abdullah ibn Al-Zubair at Harrah near Medina on august 683. He then
Pursued Abdullah to Makkah, but died on the way. Hussain ibn Numayr Succeeded him. He conquer the
sacred town, but he did not hesitate to rain stones on the Kaaba itself. It was this time that Yezid died in
683CE.

Succession of New Caliph:

Before his death, Yezid proclaimed his son Muawiyah II as next Caliph, Muawiyah succeeded him but
dies within few months.

The man Named Marwan I, who was also secretary of Osman RA, Marwan was a shrewd man, he
married with the widow of Yezid. After death of Mauwiyah II the situation was unstable. Abdullah ibn
Zubair openly proclaimed himself Caliph.

Marwan in Damascus raised himself for the Caliphate, but Abdullah ibn Zubair appointed Dahhak ibn
Qais as governor of Palestine. Marwan was aged but a shrewd man, he defeated Dahhak ibn Qais at
battle of Marj Rahit.

Marwan: (683 to 685CE)

Murwan predecessor of Muawiyah II the son of Yezid. Marwan ruled for two years before his death; he
was nearly 70 years old when he came to throne. In his two-year reign he fought two major battles one
with Dahhak Bin Qais and another army dispatched to Iraq, in Iraq they found their leader named
Sulaiman, Marwan’s army prevailed there too. Marwan however, did not live long, died soon within 2
years in 685CE.

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Abdul Malik: (685 to 705CE)

Abdul Malik was the man of knowledge, he knew the men, he wisely chooses his governors and
commanders. He appointed two men as commanders, both were gifted in their own way. Bothe were
made many other famous generals whom they engaged in great battles of the history. The first man was
Musa Bin Nusayr whom he made the commander of western armies and viceroy of Ifriqiya. 2 nd was
Hajjaj Bin Yousuf whom he made the commander of eastern armies and governor of Iraq.

Fall of Makkah:
 Soon after small battles Hajjaj bin Yousuf given the task of conquering Al-Hijaz as well as Iraq.
 Where ibn Al-Zubair held holds.
 Hajjaj decided to start from Makkah, He marched toward Makkah with his furious army.
 He kept no sacred honor for holy city of Makkah.
 He used all the weapons of war against sacred walls of Makkah.
 Meccans under the command of Abdullah ibn Al-Zubair fought bravely
 Abdullah Zubair himself set an example of rock-like strength, but his bravery could not prevail
against the ruthless Omayyad commander. He fell in battle and al-Hajjaj and his head cut off and
sent Damascus.

Hajjaj Invasion of Iraq:

 After the fall of Makkah Hajjaj turned toward Iraq.
 Kufa was the center of the trouble. He decided to strike there.
 One day, he with his some most trusted fighters disguised himself and went to the great
mosque of Kufa.
 At the time of Friday Prayer (Jumma), he leapt on to the Minbar and threw off his disguise.
 With a loud voice, he said:

“People of Kufa, do you know who I am? I am your new governor. I am also a man who
can stand very little nonsense! I believe that you require a little blood-letting. You can
trust me. I shall cut so many throats that all your thirst will be slaked. Hear me and
obey.”

 He rounded up all those who were suspected of being against the Omayyads, and killed them.
 Historians portrayed him as Blood-thirsty Monster

Abdul Malik’s Conquests in Africa:

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Muslim already trenched their strong footholds in Africa. They stablished the city of Qairawan. But the
Berbers of that region was no mean accept the Arab dominancy. Abdul Malik sent an army under the
command of Zubair who also had a command the famous general Uqbah. Zubair defeated Combined
army of Berbers and Byzantines. Latter on surprisingly Berbers attacked and killed Zubair.

After the death of Zubair even Qairawan besieged. He took back Qairawan, there was another Uprising
under the local priestess, Kahina, He Crushed them too.

Achievements of Abdul Malik:

 Abdul Malik was a Capable Ruler. He not only expanded Muslim territories but also a new note
was brought into Muslim administration.
 He strikes coins with Arabic inscription.
 He made Arabic the language of Court and the administration.
 He organized a postal service.
 He regularized taxation.
 Abdul Malik built great structure at Jerusalem on the site of the ancient temple of the Jews
called the Dome of the Rock, also called Masjid-Al-Aqsa.
 His predecessor was his son Al-Walid.

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