Muawiyah I

Mu'awiyah I (602 - May 6, 680) was founder of the Umayyad Dynasty of caliphs. He fought against the Fourth Caliph, 'Ali (Muhammad's son-in-law), seized Egypt, and assumed the caliphate after 'Ali's assassination in 661. He reigned from 661 to 680. His given name was Mu'awiyah ibn Abu Sufyan.

Conflict with Ali

As a kinsman of the slain caliph 'Uthman, Mu'awiyah bore the duty of revenge. Because 'Ali did not apprehend and punish 'Uthman's murderers, Mu'awiyah regarded him as an accomplice to the murder and refused to acknowledge his caliphate. However he did not participate in the rebellion of Aisha (the Prophet's widow), Talha and Zubair who went to war against Ali in the Battle of the Camel. Ali was victorious and pardoned Aisha, had her escorted to Medina and allocated her a pension. Ali then turned towards Syria, which was in open revolt under her governor. He marched to the Euphrates and engaged Mu'awiyah's troops at the famous Battle of Siffin (657).

Related Topics:
'Uthman - Aisha - Talha - Zubair - Battle of the Camel - Euphrates - Battle of Siffin - 657

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There, Mu'awiyah's guile turned near defeat into a truce. Resorting to a strategy that played upon the religious sensibilities of 'Ali's forces, he ordered his troops to hoist copies of the Qur'an on their lances, as a request for religious arbitration. He thus persuaded the enemy to enter into negotiations that ultimately cast doubt on the legitimacy of 'Ali's caliphate and alienated a sizable number of his supporters. When these former supporters--the Kharijites--rose in rebellion against 'Ali, Mu'awiyah took advantage of 'Ali's difficulties in Iraq to send a force to seize control of Egypt.

Related Topics:
Qur'an - Kharijites

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Thus, when 'Ali was assassinated in 661, Mu'awiyah held both Syria and Egypt and, as commander of the largest force in the Muslim Empire, had the strongest claim to the caliphate. 'Ali's son Hasan, after initial defiance of Mu'awiyah, ceased hostilities and retired to Medina, where he lived a quiet private life.

Related Topics:
661 - Hasan

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Sunni Muslims claim that Hasan pledged allegiance to Mu'awiyah. Most Shi'a Muslims say that he never pledged allegiance, merely ceased to advance his claim to the caliphate. This was done out of consideration for the supporters of Ali's family, who had been much reduced during the tumults of Ali's caliphate.

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