History of Islam: Daulat Umayah I (661-750 AD)

This is the period of Islamic rule under the Umayah Family. The historians point to this power beginning in 40 Hijr or 661 AD. The founder of this dynasty was Muawiyah son of Abu Sofyan. Abu Sofyan is the leader of Mecca who opposed the Prophet. He converted to Islam after the city of Mecca conquered by Islamic forces from Medina.

Muawiyah was originally the Syrian governor based in Damascus. He rebelled on the Caliph Ali ibn Abu Talib, until Ali died killed Khawarij people. Followers of Ali then appoint Hasan Ali-as the new caliph. However Hasan, who does not want a conflict, then has a peace agreement with Muawiyah. So, Muawiyah become the sole ruler of the Muslim community back then.

Muawiyah moved the state capital from Madinah to Damascus. He also changed government system. Until the time of Ali, the state leader acted as a person ordinary. Stay in a modest house, become a mosque imam, and meet the needs alone as usual. Muawiyah imitated the royal system for himself. He lives like a king-in a castle, clad in luxury, complete with bepengawalan absolute power. For his post, he calls himself "khalifatullah" (the "representative" of God on earth) -the term which the later sultans used.

Much of what the Umayyad dynasty did. Among others, by building the service post-including the provision of horses and equipment. They also raised Qadi or judge as a profession. Khalifah Abdul Malik scored his own money with using Arabic script instead of Byzantine and Persian money. Administration of the administration is addressed. Arabic is defined as the official language government.

This step was followed by the son of Abdul Malik, Walid (705-715 AD). He built orphanages for people with disabilities. Workers for the houses are paid as employees. Walid also built infrastructure in the form of roads connecting between regions. In addition, he also builds government buildings, mosques, even factories. In his time, society reached the peak of prosperity.

But the most widely praised Caliph is Umar bin Abdul Aziz (717-720). His mother was the grandson of Umar bin Khattab. It emphasizes moral and social development rather than physical. He refused to be elected as Caliph simply because he was the Caliph's son. He even embraced the enemies of the Umayyads, including Shiite groups, to elect a new caliph. Until then all agreed to choose him as caliph.

Umar gave freedom of worship to the community of all religious groups. The taxes that make up the society also cheaper. He is also favored by non-Arabs or 'mawali'. Before the time of Umar bin Abdul Aziz, non-Arabs were considered "second class citizens". Umar aligned any nation without exception.

In everyday life, Umar bin Abdul Aziz inherited the attitude of his great grandfather, Umar bin Khattab. The difference: Umar bin Khattab is known as a violent temperamentist, while Umar bin Abdul Aziz is a gentle man. Its simplicity will always be narrated throughout history. Among them is when he-a night-work in his light-lit room. Then his son came to ask permission to talk to him. Umar asked, his conversation was for the purpose of state or family. "Family affairs," said his son. Umar then turned off the light. The lamp is turned on with state-funded oil.

He does not want family affairs using lights with state oil. Unfortunately, Umar was not long in leading the country. Three years after his appointment, he died. After Umar, the caliphs lived more in luxury. Their morality falls. People's trust has fallen sharply. Khalifah Hisham son of Abdul Malik tried to overcome it. But the situation was out of control. In the year 750 AD, after about 90 years in power, the Umayyad Daula also collapsed.