Mu'awiya ibn abi Sufyan: From Arabia to Empire (Makers of the Muslim World)

In this accessible study, Stephen Humphreys introduces the most elusive of the early caliphs, Mu'awiya ibn abi Sufyan (602-680). Notoriously guarded about his thoughts, motives and emotions, Mu'awiya was universally known as a figure of immense political acumen. Beyond this, opinions are deeply divided. Throughout history, some have accused him of being the first caliph to diverge from Muhammed's model of ideal Muslim leadership whilst others credit him with uniting an empire in disarray and transforming the Caliphate into a practicable form of government. In light of this, Humphreys critically analyses his sources, and seeks to get as close as possible to a historical account of the great man. Muàwiya Ibn Abi Sufyan (c. 602-680) Was The Fifth And Most Elusive Of The Early Caliphs. Notoriously Guarded About His Thoughts, Motives, And Emotions, Muàwiya Was Univerally Known As A Figure Of Immense Political Acumen. Beyond This, Opinions Are Very Deeply Divided. Throughout History, Some Have Accused Him Of Betraying Muhammad's Model Of Ideal Muslim Leadership Whilst Others Credit Him With Reuniting An Empire In Disarray And Transforming The Caliphate Into A Practicable Form Of Government. In Light Of These Debates, Humphreys Critically Analyses The Sources Available, Getting As Close As Possible To A Historical Account Of The Founder Of The Umayyad Dynasty. Combining Examination Of Both His Public Image And Personal Qualities, This Introduction Includes Coverage Of Muàwiya's Repartee With His Governors, His Fondness For Earthly Temptations, And His Exceptional Skills As Ruler Of A Vast Empire. Using An Extensive Range Of Sources, And Containing An Analysis Of Early Islamic Society, It Will Prove Of Great Interest To General Readers And Experts Alike.--jacket. 1 The Problem Of Mu'awiya 1 -- Mu'awiya In The Eyes Of Later Muslims 3 -- How Do We Know What We Claim To Know: The Sources For Mu'awiya's Life 10 -- Mu'awiya's Career: A Chronological Sketch 19 -- 2 The First Three Decades (600-632) 23 -- The Meccan Milieu 23 -- The Politics Of Genealogy: Why Mu'awiya's Ancestry Is Important 28 -- The Lineage Of Mu'awiya 30 -- The Banu Umayya 31 -- The Descendants, Of 'abd Manaf: The Clans Of 'abd Shams And Hashim 33 -- 3 Laying The Foundations Of Power: Mu'awiya As Master Of Syria (632-656) 43 -- Mu'awiya And The Conquest Of Syria 43 -- Mu'awiya Becomes Governor 45 -- The War Against Byzantium 50 -- The War At Sea: Creating The Muslim Navy 53 -- The War In Anatolia And Armenia 58 -- Mu'awiya And The Arab Tribes In Syria 60 -- 4 The First Civil War And Mu'awiya's Rise To Power (656-661) 65 -- The Revolt Against 'uthman 65 -- The Aftermath: Who Can Claim The Right To Rule? 71 -- The Confrontation Between 'ali And Mu'awiya 77 -- 5 Commander Of The Faithful (661-680) 85 -- The War Against Byzantium Renewed 104 -- 6 The Prince Of Our Disorder: Mu'awiya As A Symbol Of Cultural Tension 115. R. Stephen Humphreys. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 137-142) And Index. Mu'awiya ibn Abi Sufyan (c.602-680) was the fifth and most elusive of the early caliphs. Notoriously guarded about his thoughts, motives and emotions, Mu'awiya was universally known as a figure of immense political acumen. Beyond this, opinions are deeply divided. Throughout history, some have accused him of betraying Muhammad's model of ideal Muslim leadership whilst others credit him with reuniting an empire in disarray and transforming the Caliphate into a practicable form of government.In light of these debates, Humphreys critically analyses the sources available, getting as close as possible to a historical account of the founder of the Umayyad dynasty. Combining examination of both his public image and personal qualities, this helpful introduction includes coverage of Mu'awiya's intriguing repartee with his governors, his fondness for earthly temptations, and his exceptional skills as ruler of a vast empire. Using an extensive range of sources, and containing a fascinating analysis of early Islamic society, it will prove of great interest to general readers and experts alike. CONTENTS......Page 8 PREFACE AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS......Page 10 1 THE PROBLEM OF MU‘AWIYA......Page 14 MU‘AWIYA IN THE EYES OF LATER MUSLIMS......Page 16 HOW DO WE KNOW WHAT WE CLAIM TO KNOW: THE SOURCES FOR MU'AWIYA'S LIFE......Page 23 MU‘AWIYA’S CAREER: A CHRONOLOGICAL SKETCH......Page 32 THE MECCAN MILIEU......Page 36 THE POLITICS OF GENEALOGY: WHY MU'AWIYA'S ANCESTRY IS IMPORTANT......Page 41 MU‘AWIYA AND THE CONQUEST OF SYRIA......Page 56 MU‘AWIYA BECOMES GOVERNOR......Page 58 THE WAR AGAINST BYZANTIUM......Page 63 THE WAR AT SEA: CREATING THE MUSLIM NAVY......Page 66 THE WAR IN ANATOLIA AND ARMENIA......Page 71 MU‘AWIYA AND THE ARAB TRIBES IN SYRIA......Page 73 THE REVOLT AGAINST ‘UTHMAN......Page 78 THE AFTERMATH: WHO CAN CLAIM THE RIGHT TO RULE?......Page 84 THE CONFRONTATION BETWEEN ‘ALI AND MU'AWIYA......Page 90 5 COMMANDER OF THE FAITHFUL (661-680)......Page 98 THE WAR AGAINST BYZANTIUM RENEWED......Page 117 6 THE PRINCE OF OUR DISORDER: MU'AWIYA AS A SYMBOL OF CULTURAL TENSION......Page 128 BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 150 INDEX......Page 156