History 101: The Umayyads

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Following the Rightly Guided Caliphs, Muawiyah b. Abi Sufyan(RA) became Caliph and was succeeded by his son, Yazid, leading to the establishment of the Umayyad Kingdom. This course will approach the history of the Ummayads and the manner in which they shaped much of Islamic history. Topics discussed will include the rebellion and martyrdom of Sayyid Al-Shuhada, Imam Husayn b. Ali(RA), as well as the rebellion of Abdullah b. Zubayr(RA), the rule of Umar b. Abdul-Aziz, Imam Abu Hanifa’s relationship to the Ummayads, as well as other topics.

Course Outline

Week 1: Muawiyah’s Rise to Power and his Rule

Week 2: Yazid’s Rule and the Uprising of Imam Husayn

Week 3: The Uprising of Abdullah b. Zubayr and the Rule of Muawiyah b. Yazid

Week 4: The Rules of Marwan b. Al-Hakam and Abdul Malik b. Marwan

Week 5: The Rules of Al-Walid b. Abdul Malik and Sulayman b. Abdul Malik

Week 6: The Rule of Umar b. Abdul Aziz

Week 7: The Rules of Yazid b. Abdul Malik and Hisham b. Abdul Malik

Week 8: Imam Abu Hanifa and the Revolution of Zayd b. Ali

Week 9: The Rules of Walid b. Yazid and Yazid b. Walid

Week 10: The Rules of Ibrahim b. Walid and Marwan b. Muhammad

Week 11: The Rises of the Abbasids and the Emirate of Cordoba

Week 12: Conclusion

Recommended reading: Class will be premised on lecture and weekly discussion with PowerPoint slides being shared at the end. While that will be sufficient for the student, some recommended readings are:

“The Caliphate of Banu Ummayah” by Ibn Katheer(Translated into English by Dar Al Salaam publications)

“History of the Ummayad Caliphs” by Jalal Al-Din Al-Suyuti(Translated by TS Anderson)

“Umar bin Abd Al-Aziz: The Great Reviver” by Muhammad As-Sallabi

“Muawiya bin Abi Sufyan” by Muhammad As-Sallabi

“Hasan bin Ali bin Abi Talib: His Life and Times” by Muhammad As-Sallabi

“Mu’awiyah: Restorer of the Muslim Faith” by Aisha Bewley