jjares reviewed The Umayyad Caliphate: The History and Legacy of the Second Islamic Kingdom Established After Muhammad?s Death on + 3275 more book reviews
Finally, someone (Charles Rivers Editors) has clarified the grave dispute between the Sunni and Shia Muslims so that a non-Muslim can understand. Who should follow Mohammad the Prophet after his death was a critical point in Muslim history? One of the reasons was that Mohammad was both a religious and military leader to a growing number of people and regions. The author did an important thing by mentioning that in Arabic tradition a man was not considered a leader until about 4o years of age. That is why Fatima's husband was not chosen initially; he was 25 or 32 (depending on the source).
Instead, the Umayyads were chosen to lead. This was controversial because the Umayyads were not early converts. Being an early convert to Islam carried great weight in the Muslim world. Unfortunately, the Umayyads instituted familial leadership and nepotism was rampant. They also taxed citizens based on their faith. Arabic Muslims were the most favored, non-Arab Muslims were taxed at a higher rate, and non-Muslims (Christians, Jews, and other faiths) were taxed even more severely. From a non-Muslim standpoint, the Umayyads left Mohammad's teachings fairly soon.
After this second (of four caliphates), the Abbasids wanted to rule. A distinct minority, they cleverly preyed on the unhappiness of people under the Umayyads to swing the people to support them. This is a fascinating and clear explanation of the rise and fall of the Umayyads and the rise of the Abbasids.
Instead, the Umayyads were chosen to lead. This was controversial because the Umayyads were not early converts. Being an early convert to Islam carried great weight in the Muslim world. Unfortunately, the Umayyads instituted familial leadership and nepotism was rampant. They also taxed citizens based on their faith. Arabic Muslims were the most favored, non-Arab Muslims were taxed at a higher rate, and non-Muslims (Christians, Jews, and other faiths) were taxed even more severely. From a non-Muslim standpoint, the Umayyads left Mohammad's teachings fairly soon.
After this second (of four caliphates), the Abbasids wanted to rule. A distinct minority, they cleverly preyed on the unhappiness of people under the Umayyads to swing the people to support them. This is a fascinating and clear explanation of the rise and fall of the Umayyads and the rise of the Abbasids.
