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Islam / Caliph / Umayyads /
Abd al-Malik
Arabic:
¢abdu l-malik bni marwān
(646-705) Caliph of Sunni Islam 685-705, as part of the Umayyad Dynasty.
Under Abd al-Malik the Muslim world was largely united. This was the result of well-conducted military campaign against rebels, but also as Abd al-Malik was a devout and pious Muslim, many of those opposing the Umayyads, closed ranks with his regime.
Abd al-Malik was a strong and forceful ruler, a great judge of character and with a balanced mind. He ruled the empire according to his own will, and did not consult a shura, council, as earlier caliphs had done.
Abd al-Malik introduced Arabic as the administrative language for all of the empire. He also introduced a common currency. He also repaired the Ka'ba of Mecca. It is also under Abd al-Malik that the construction of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem was started.
During his regime, the religion of Islam was promoted to non-Muslims living in the empire, and many converted. But the privileges the original Arab Muslims.
Biography
646: Born as son of Marwan 1, future caliph.
— Works for his father, who had been appointed governor of Madina.
685: His father dies, and as arranged in advance, Abd al-Malik becomes new caliph. he immediately embarked on conquering Muslim territory under the rebel caliphate of Abdullah bni Zubayr.
688 or 689: Launches a campaign to conquer more territory in North Africa.
691: Takes control over northern Syria and Mesopotamia, where northern Arab tribes and their leader Zufar since long had challenged the Umayyad caliphs.
692: Defeats and has rebel caliph Abullah bni Zubayr killed, thereby taking control over the heartlands of the Muslim world.
697: Final defeat of the Kharijis of Persia by the leadership of Governor al-Hajjaj, which had been one of the main challengers to the caliphate.
— Conquers Carthage, the Byzantine stronghold and administrative centre. Tunis is established as the new capital of the region.
705 May: Abdulaziz, the brother of Abd al-Malik and heir to the caliphate, dies. Abd al-Malik appoints 3 of his children as successors.
— October: Dies, and is succeeded by his son al-Walid 1.
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By: Tore Kjeilen
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