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.

Legacy

Mu'awiyah greatly beautified Damascus and developed a court to rival that of the Byzantines. He expanded the frontiers of the empire, reaching the very gates of Constantinople at one point, though failing to hold any territory in Asia Minor. Sunni Muslims credit him with saving the fledgling Muslim nation from post civil war anarchy. One of Mu'awiyah's most controversial and enduring legacies was his decision to designate his son as his successor, thereby converting the Caliphate from an elective office to a dynasty. He attempted to preserve the form of the election however, by causing his nobles and the chiefs of the empire to elect and swear allegiance to his son in his own lifetime, a tradition that endured for several succeeding dynasties.

Related Topics:
Constantinople - Asia Minor - Dynasty

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Shi'a Muslims dismiss such achievements as merely worldly matters, irrelevant to Mu'awiyah's failure as a Muslim. Shi'a believe that Mu'awiya should have submitted himself to Ali, whom they believe to have been Muhammad's chosen successor (see Succession to Muhammad).

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Mu'awiyah died May 6, 680. He was succeeded by his son Yazid I.

Related Topics:
May 6 - 680 - Yazid I

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