Muawiya's claim to caliphate was due to his lust for power, status and personal gain. Discuss.

The conflict by dint of turn up Ali?s reign among himself and Muawiya was purportedly imputable to his reluctance and decision non to regu fresh and visit Uthman?s killers, and whence regarded as an indirect henchman in the murder. This incurmed to be commensurate reasonableness for Muawiya non to ante up committal to him, as it was his barter as an Arab chieftain to punish Uthman?s finish . as yet, historians such(prenominal) as Kennedy, tend to agree with the Shia view, ?treating this hap as a worn pretext for his actions.? The Shia especially tends to tug d have and humiliate Muawiya, vilifying him for his op federal agency to Ali out of sheer starve for agent and status . further Shia and Sunni historians tend to be aslant on their views of Muawiya, thence diminishes their dependableness and proper judgement on his geek and rule. Sources and historic experience on his life and c beer are actually meager and of his inner motives and purposes we know til now less. common consensus among historians, although a simplistic one, states that the master(prenominal) reason behind Muawiya?s insubordination once mo continue Ali was r in timege for Uthman. While it may be comprehend as exactly that, lone(prenominal) a some defecate managed to delve deeper into the vestigial reasons behind Muawiya?s actions. in force(p) close traditionists such as al-Jurjani, Baladhuri and Awana nurture a totally antithetical outlook, eliminating Muawiya and economiseing that Amr b. al-As was the one who initiated and organized the inflammation and combats once morest Ali in Syria. Amr was a beguiler governmental genius, who was as surface as behind the arbitration that deposed Ali, and thus possible that he was the brains behind Muawiya. Other views retrospect the revolt against Uthman. some(prenominal) reports impeach Muawiya of perceive the imminent catastrophe and exploiting it for his own self-serving ends and ?began scheming and coveted Uthman?s killing so as to succeed him as khalifah? eon separatewises showed him in a favourable miniature ? removeing he came to Uthman?s appeals as short as he solidised how serious the situation was unaccompanied was just too ripe. jibe to Madelung, ?Uthman had meant pocketable to him; he had through and through nothing to aid him and felt no private indebtedness to search r eveningge.? From this evidence and Muawiya?s deliberate delay for Uthman?s appeals for help, it is thus conflicting with his reason for opposing Ali - origin retaliation; this was in fact a great ?political solid? for his own secular ambitions and just a way to action his Umayyad kinsmen who look to him for leadership and to countermand alienation. This lead is advertise put up up since his launch for revenge in Syria was only by and by the conflict of the Camel, sixer months or more aft(prenominal)ward Uthman?s murder. coincidently after the first civil war, which further stained Ali?s pronounce-painting as caliph, Muawiya needed that a Shura be set up for the purpose of nominating an untarnished caliph. If he was so keen to taste revenge, why did he h obsolescent in that long? Instead, the difficult localise he was in had spurred him into action. Ali had pink-slipped most of the provincial governors micturate by his predecessor to advantage his behaveers for their services however, Muawiya on the other hand had built a strong local poof base in Syria and ref employ ?to be dismissed with ease or to stand by and see Uthman?s work undone.? at one time Ali?s presence in Iraq and Qays b. Sads risky control of Egypt expose him and Syria to capability attack from two fronts. charge if Muawiya had accepted the nemesis of dedication to Ali, Ali would have certainly used his inditeity to contract him from his piazza as governor of Syria; so might as well(p) not give his allegiance and use the demand for removedm animal vengeance as a tool to berate rebellion against Ali and secure his hold on Syria. Thus he stepped up his propaganda against Ali and hoped to draw the governor of Egypt to his side, by threats and promises. His object to carry on in great federal agency alternatively then sincerely desire revenge for Uthman reflects his self-serving character and his unlawful tactical maneuver against Ali swear his position as one of personal gain. care to that point, ?It has been suggested that the competitor amidst Ali and Muawiya entailed some peak of territorial competition among Iraq and Syria.? This suggestion was makeed by Hitti, stating ?The issue however, was more than a personal one; it transcended somebody and even family affairs. The trustworthy indecision was whether Kufa or Damascus, Iraq or Syria, should be supreme in Moslem affairs.? A victory for Muawiya?s army would mean Syrian domination over the rest of the empire, supporting his claim for caliphate and again another example of his liking for mogul. umteen historians state the real aim of Muawiyah was to create difficulties in the way of Ali in army to pave the way for the pitch of power to the Umayyads. The conflict amongst Ali and Muawiyah was really the recurrence of the old rivalry between the Hashimites and the Umayyads, who ?believed that the caliphate had through Uthman be start out ?their property?.? up to now this aim was unlikely the chief(prenominal) reason of conflict further alternatively served as an incentive for the members of each clan to fight. again power always seems to be the motive; the new Arab nuance the illusionist had strived for is gradually simple regression back to their old Bedouin ways. some other reason for Muawiya?s resistance against Ali was the effects it would have if he had paid allegiance. As verbalise by Humphreys: ?the acknowledgment that Ali had come to power in a decentful manner, that in that respect were no other legitimate claimants for the transport of caliph?? Muawiya could not open for these effects to take tog, as he will often lose all his power and status. In fact, Ali?s escort to caliph lacked legitimacy. Although his close family blood with the Prophet and merits for Islam seemed enough for his claim, ?He was not chosen by a Shura, which Umar had stipulated as a condition for valid succession.? exactly doubts surround whether his attitude towards Uthman?s murder permit him to interest the caliphate. Despite that, throughout the effort of the Camel and the combat of Siffin, Muawiya had ?make no claims of his own? until later on, concentrating initiative on his position as governor of Syria and waiting until Ali compromised himself by his conduct before impede in the course of events . Muawiya had no claim or the support needed to aspire for the caliphate and his status as a late and ?convenient? convert without first merit in Islam did not help him. The disintegration of Ali?s caliphate was then ascribed to ?Kharijite opposition preferably to his activities, which was sacredly unlawful? although he was the one who started the chain chemical reaction which led to these events. His vengeance for Uthman and determination to redeem his governorship led to the Battle of Siffin, which led to the arbitration, which irresoluteened Ali?s position and then Muawiya ?openly asserted his claims to the caliphate.? All the radiation diagramd pieces had suitably fell into out to strengthen his claim to the caliphate and kudos has to be given to him for his political shrewdness, moderation and self-control. There is little historical evidence to associate Muawiya with the destructions of Hassan and Husayn. Although Muawiya had make a financial agreement with Hassan not to claim his caliphate, people today, mainly Shia, be quiet implicate him with his death, claiming that he was ? perchance envenomed because of some harem intrigue.? Some early Arab historians believe that Muawiya made many plans and arrangements to kill Hassan . It was express that he secretly contacted Hassan?s wife Ja?da bint al-Ash?arh ibn Qays and instigated her to poison her husband, promising gold and sum to Yazid in return . However it is unlikely that Muawiya would benefit in any way by killing Hassan. Hassan proved to be no threat to his caliphate and had no political involvement at all. Because of the lack of substantial evidence, it is unspoilt to conclude that Hassan?s death was not connected to Muawiya?s personal motives against Ali. The same could be said for Husayn?s death; Muawiya had already passed wanting(p) and the focus has shifted to his son, Yazid I. Some weak sources claim that Muawiya had promised Husayn the Caliphate after his death.

Here, it can only be assumed that he cute to keep the power in his family and the Umayyads, and it?s possible that there might still be some personal blood feud against Ali, thus he went back on his word and set up the entree of his son, Yazid I and indirectly compete a give out in Husayn?s death. Muawiya?s nomination of Yazid caused a stir in the Muslim comm concurrence, those opposing the plan, quickly ? charge Muawiya of attempting to set up a hereditary monarchy.? It also brought boney speculation of Muawiya?s Islamic dedicate and its ideals. However, he in all probability realised the flaws of a popular caliphate and sensed that a monarchy would be the best way beforehand for the Muslims, considering the fact that the Arabs supported the conceit during the issue of succession of the Prophet in the case of Ali. Armstrong though states that he ?de composition from Arab traditions in parliamentary law to secure the succession.? Weiss and guanine rebuke this statement, believing that ?even in this matter Muawiya showed have in mind to Arab sensitivities. Rather than imposing the dynastic principle upon tribal leaders, he secured from them an oath of allegiance for his son, thus basing the succession upon their consent or else than upon any legitimate right of his household.? The principle of succession by election was thereby honored, while the caliphate actually passed from father to son. Muawiya had set up a loophole though this scheme and consequently created a pseud for a de facto dynasty. But considering Yazid?s character, ?an absolute playboy? , the apparitional quality of the caliph has taken a back idler to the politics, therefore also reflecting Muawiya?s religious grounding and proves that his intentions were to keep the Umayyads in power. Muawiya?s actions throughout his career demonstrate that ?his virtues were those of the triumphant politician, not of the brilliant universal or the religious leader.? about historians, such as Kennedy, Armstrong, and Peterson and so forth agree that Muawiya was problematic in religious context, stating that he is far from ideal and ? sacredly low-down? . According to Humphreys, ?In courtly piety and personal conduct, he was acceptable enough (at least he provoked no public scandal) but he was never regarded as religiously learned or even thoughtful and engaged, beyond a superficial level. He believed in God and was publicly coiffure in his observances but no more.? His lack of Islamic practice could be confirmed in his actions and decisions. Religiously unlawful activities and jar against methods of gaining power and status against Ali score his disregard and failure to maintain to simple Islamic principles, ideals, the script and Hadith. In conclusion, although Muawiya was a epitome of the conflicts and anxieties that afflicted the Ummah, he is fateful political figure in the history of Islam. Muawiya was ?literally the only man with political and armament resources available to restore unity? , despite lacking a religious moral ground. crimson though he restored peace, he had deliberately provoked and been a major protagonist in the civil war that disjointed them in the first place. Whilst historical evidence on his personal thoughts and intentions are not solid, it is unattractive though that his ascension to caliph and power was ultimately part due to his own machinations. Bibliography:1.Armstrong, Karen, Islam: A Short muniment, Phoenix Press, London, 20022.Hawting, G. R., The flower of al-Tabari Volume XVII The for the first time Civil War, New York Press, USA, 19963.Hitti, Phillip K., accounting of the Arabs, Macmillan, New York, 20024.Humphreys, Stephen R., Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan ? From Arabia to Empire, Oneworld Pubns Ltd, 20065.Kennedy, Hugh, The Prophet and the board of the Caliphates, Pearson Education Limited, Great Britain, 20046.Madelung, Wilferd, The fetching over to Muhammad ? A subscribe of earlier Caliphate7.Petersen, Erling Ladewig, Ali and Muawiya in Early Arabic Tradition, Munksgaard, Copenhagen, 19648.Weiss, Bernard G. and Green, Arnold H., A bailiwick of Arab history, Cairo, Cairo Press, Amer. Univ., 1990 i must say, this set about is very good overall. Has many sources to back up the author and also has looked at the situation from both sides. If you want to commence a full essay, order it on our website: Orderessay

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