The Last Caliph of the Umayyad Dynasty
The final caliph of the Umayyad dynasty was Marwan ibn Muhammad ibn Marwan ibn al-Hakam ibn Abi al-Hakam ibn Abi al-Aas ibn Umayyah al-Qurashi al-Umayyadi, commonly known as Abu Abd al-Malik. He ascended to the caliphate following the death of Yazid III and relocated to Damascus, where he deposed Ibrahim ibn al-Walid, solidifying his authority over the caliphate in the month of Safar in the year 127 AH. He was often referred to as Marwan al-Ja’di, a nod to his mentor and educator, Ja’d ibn Dirham. A skilled horseman from the Umayyad lineage, Marwan was recognized for his wisdom and sound judgment. Despite his leadership, the Umayyad dynasty faced its demise during his reign, rooted in issues that had developed long before his time.
About Marwan ibn Muhammad
Born in the year 72 AH, Marwan ibn Muhammad was characterized by his striking physical appearance, marked by a large head, thick white beard, and a fair complexion. His moral attributes included chivalry, valor, and resilience. He lived to the age of sixty-two, ultimately meeting his end through assassination, which marked the conclusion of Umayyad rule. Notably, he was designated as caliph nine months prior to his death. Following his assassination, his two sons, Abdullah and Ubaydullah, fled to Abyssinia; Ubaydullah was killed, while Abdullah escaped but was later captured by Al-Mansur and imprisoned.
The Life of Marwan ibn Muhammad
In the year 114 AH, during the caliphate of his brother Hisham, Muhammad ibn Marwan was appointed as the governor of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Mesopotamia. Under his leadership, several fortresses and territories were conquered, and he fought against various groups of non-believers, including the Turks and Khazars. Marwan was assassinated on a Sunday with three nights remaining in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah; however, some accounts suggest his death occurred on a Thursday with six nights past in Dhu al-Hijjah, in the year 132 AH, after a reign that lasted five years, ten months, and ten days, according to the prevailing narratives.