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.

Early Life

Muawiyah was born (c. 602) into a clan (Banu Abd Shams), many of whom opposed the Prophet Muhammad in his home city, Mecca, and continued to oppose him on the battlefield after he had emigrated to Medina along with the other Quraish. Mu'awiyah's father was Abu Sufiyan ibn Harb who was initially a bitter opponent of Muhammad.

Related Topics:
602 - Banu Abd Shams - Muhammad - Mecca - Medina - Quraish - Abu Sufiyan ibn Harb

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Mu'awiyah did become a Muslim before the conquest of Mecca but hid his faith rather like Muhammad's uncle Abbas. After the conquest of Mecca, Mu'awiyah was made a scribe in the service of the Prophet. Mu'awiyah is mostly remembered for his career in Syria, which began shortly after the death of the Prophet, when he, along with his brother Yazid, served in the tribal armies sent from Arabia against the Byzantine forces in Syria.

Related Topics:
Abbas - Syria - Arabia - Byzantine

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