The History of Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan's Contribution to the Establishment of the Foundations of the Umayyad State (41-61 AH/661–680 AD)

Abstract

Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan assumed the caliphate, leading to the establishment of the Umayyad state, which ended years of strife and struggles for power. Muawiya was able to solidify the foundations of his state thanks to his wisdom and efforts, contributing to the stability of Umayyad rule. The research aims to highlight the events that preceded the establishment of the Umayyad state, reviewing the challenges faced by Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan in consolidating his rule. It also seeks to analyze Muawiya's impact on the stability of the Umayyad state and to study his policies in enhancing security and political stability. Additionally, the study aims to understand the challenges Muawiya encountered and how he dealt with them, including internal strife and opposition movements. The research relies on a narrative historical methodology, which involves narrating and analyzing historical events. The findings of the research revealed several important results, including: Muawiya established a strong centralized governance system, based on an effective administrative structure that helped manage state affairs, thereby strengthening the Umayyad state. He reorganized the army and expanded its strength, facilitating new conquests and securing the state’s borders. He implemented an effective strategy for conquests in North Africa, contributing to the expansion of Umayyad territories and solidifying Islamic presence in those regions. The research concluded that he achieved internal stability by addressing strife and disputes, enhancing the loyalty of the people to the state, and adopting a flexible policy in dealing with the Romans and Byzantines, which allowed him to focus on internal conquests and expand influence.