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Article: The Dynasties: The Umayyads and the Abbasids.(ruling powers during early centuries of Islam)(Brief Article)
- Article from:
- Calliope
- Article date:
- February 1, 2000
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2000 Carus Publishing Co. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Uthman, the third caliph (successor of the Prophet Muhammad), was a member of the Umayyad family. A weak leader, his policies angered many of his subjects, and he was killed in 656.
Ali, a cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad, succeeded Uthman as the fourth caliph. The Umayyad family's call for revenge for Uthman's death led to a civil war, or fitnah. Mu'awiyah, son of the head of the Umayyad family and the governor of Syria, challenged Ali's right to be caliph. When Ali agreed to arbitration, many of his supporters turned against him. In 661, Ali was assassinated.
Mu'awiyah then proclaimed himself the caliph, and became the first caliph of the Umayyad ...