Tag Archives: Mecca

Abbasid Caliphs and the Qarmatians, 892-932

Posted on May 23, 2022 by Ruth

Increasingly, the Caliph at Baghdad was not the main story in the Muslim world. At his own court, he could be sidelined by his brother, as al-Mutamid was. He could be outshone by a Vizier, as al-Muktafi was. A few, … Continue reading →

Posted in Islam History C: the Abbasids | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Abbasid Caliphs and the Qarmatians, 892-932

Siege of Mecca, 692

Posted on September 27, 2021 by Ruth

In 689, Caliph Abd al-Malik was ready to take on the Meccan Caliph Abdallah ibn Zubayr. He started with Iraq, which was shaky but technically loyal to Mecca, through Abdallah’s brother Musab. As you know, everything happened slowly then; it … Continue reading →

Posted in Islam History B: the Umayyads | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Siege of Mecca, 692

Caliph Abd al-Malik and Dome of the Rock, 688-90

Posted on September 25, 2021 by Ruth

Abd al-Malik had focused his main attention on consolidating power in Syria, leaving his rival Caliph Abdallah ibn Zubayr to battle against Kharijites in Iraq and Arabia. This allowed almost a decade in which Mecca was ruled by a power … Continue reading →

Posted in Islam History B: the Umayyads | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Caliph Abd al-Malik and Dome of the Rock, 688-90

The Divided Caliphate and lots of rebels, 683-692

Posted on September 25, 2021 by Ruth

Before the Syrian army could push farther into rebellious Arabia, it was called back to Damascus. Yazid had suddenly died. His son was a young man who died soon after him. (Shi’ite history records that he criticized his family for … Continue reading →

Posted in Islam History B: the Umayyads | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on The Divided Caliphate and lots of rebels, 683-692

The Sack of Medina, 683

Posted on September 25, 2021 by Ruth

Don’t imagine that Medina and Mecca took the news of Husayn’s head on a lance quietly. They may have imagined that Yazid’s men would not dare to hurt the Prophet’s grandson, or they may have been prepared for news of … Continue reading →

Posted in Islam History B: the Umayyads | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on The Sack of Medina, 683

The Battle of the Camel, 656

Posted on May 30, 2021 by Ruth

Ali’s army from Medina, joined by several thousand men from Kufa, camped on a wide plain outside Basra in Iraq. Facing them on the plain was an equally large army from Mecca, joined by several thousand men from Basra. But … Continue reading →

Posted in Islam History B: the Umayyads, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Battle of the Camel, 656

A’isha in Opposition, 656

Posted on May 30, 2021 by Ruth

The first challenge to Ali as Caliph or Imam came quickly. A’isha had gone to Mecca during the revolt against Uthman, and she was returning to Medina when she heard that Ali had been acclaimed as the next Caliph. A’isha … Continue reading →

Posted in Islam History B: the Umayyads, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on A’isha in Opposition, 656

Revolt And Death of Uthman, 655-6

Posted on May 27, 2021 by Ruth

Another Umayyad cousin named Marwan was Uthman’s chief secretary, or probably Chief of Staff. As in the White House, access to the ruler goes through the Chief of Staff. Marwan could determine who got to talk to Uthman, and he … Continue reading →

Posted in Islam History B: the Umayyads | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Revolt And Death of Uthman, 655-6

Caliph Abu Bakr: the Day of Muhammad’s Death

Posted on March 24, 2021 by Ruth

Muhammad died around noon. We know the room was crowded with relatives, and either A’isha or Ali held him in his last hour before he stopped breathing. Many believers were standing or sitting in the mosque just outside the house, … Continue reading →

Posted in Islam History B: the Umayyads | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Caliph Abu Bakr: the Day of Muhammad’s Death

Speech at the Deceptive Pond

Posted on March 16, 2021 by Ruth

Thousands had accompanied Muhammad to Mecca, and for the first day on the return trip, many or most of them were still there. Before the crowd broke up to go separate ways, Muhammad gave another short speech. They had stopped … Continue reading →

Posted in Islam History A: the Prophet | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Speech at the Deceptive Pond