Annexation of Ziyād to Abū Sufyān: Motivations and Consequences

Subject Areas : The Journal of Islamic History and Civilisation

عباس علی تفضلی ¹ (ندارد)
هانیه بیک ² (ندارد)

Received: 2009-07-01 Accepted : 2009-08-12 Published : 2009-08-23

Keywords: Ziyād, Mu‘āwiya, Ummayyads, Caliphate, annexation,

Abstract :

The story of the annexation of Ziyād b. ÝUbayd to Abū Sufyān is wellknown in the history of Islam. Probably this fame, more than itsillegitimacy, is due to the fame of Ziyād himself as one of four Arabsagacious men, and as one of three effective figures who assistedMuÝāwiya in strengthening the basis of Umawid Caliphate. Ziyād’sdesire to be a Caliph, which was not accomplished, was only pledgedto the acceptance of the annexation and relation to Mu‘āwiya. Afterthe recognition of annexation, he knew himself as Mu‘āwiya’s brotherand a competitor of his crown prince, and craved for Caliphate.Therefore he didn’t contribute in Yazīd’s crown prince-ship and thehereditary of Caliphate. Though the annexation cost too much forMuslim society of Iraq, and disgraced Ziyād himself, but made himand Mu‘āwiya, even more than him, successful to achieve theirdesires. This paper is to investigate motivations and consequences ofthis subject from a historical point of view (F.S.).