How did the ‘Abbasids overthrow the Umayyad dynasty?

The ‘Abbasids overthrew the Umayyad dynasty through a combination of political manoeuvring, military force, and exploiting discontent among non-Arab Muslims.

The ‘Abbasids, who claimed descent from Abbas, the uncle of the Prophet Muhammad, began their rise to power in the mid-8th century. They were initially part of the opposition to the Umayyads, a dynasty that had ruled the Islamic world since the death of the Prophet Muhammad. The Umayyads were seen by many as corrupt and decadent, and their rule was marked by a growing divide between Arab Muslims, who held the majority of power, and non-Arab Muslims, who were often treated as second-class citizens.

The ‘Abbasids capitalised on this discontent. They built a broad coalition of support, particularly among non-Arab Muslims in Persia and the eastern provinces of the Islamic world. They promised a more inclusive and just rule, where all Muslims, regardless of their ethnic or cultural background, would be treated equally. This message resonated with many who felt marginalised under the Umayyads, and the ‘Abbasids were able to build a significant base of support.

At the same time, the ‘Abbasids were also skilled political operators. They built alliances with powerful figures in the Islamic world, including influential religious scholars and military leaders. They also exploited divisions within the Umayyad dynasty itself, encouraging rivalries and infighting that weakened the Umayyads' hold on power.

The ‘Abbasids' rise to power culminated in a military campaign against the Umayyads. In 750, they defeated the Umayyad forces at the Battle of the Zab, near the Tigris River. The Umayyad caliph, Marwan II, was killed in the battle, effectively ending the Umayyad dynasty. The ‘Abbasids then moved quickly to consolidate their power, executing many members of the Umayyad family and declaring themselves the new caliphs.

In summary, the ‘Abbasids' overthrow of the Umayyad dynasty was a complex process that involved a combination of political manoeuvring, military force, and the exploitation of discontent among non-Arab Muslims. Their success was due in large part to their ability to build a broad coalition of support and to exploit the weaknesses of the Umayyad dynasty.