Marwan b. Hakam

3. Marwan and the Shia Response

Central to understanding Marwan’s legacy is the Shia response to his actions. The Shia viewed Marwan as a representative of the adversarial Umayyad regime, which they believed subverted the divine right of Ali and his descendants to lead the Muslim community. This doctrinal opposition fueled a long-standing narrative that portrayed Marwan as not merely a political figure but as a symbol of the broader Umayyad oppression faced by the Shia.

As the Umayyads implemented policies aimed at consolidating their power, Shia sentiments intensified. Marwan’s governorships often witnessed civil unrest as he implemented measures to suppress dissent, eliciting fierce resistance from Shia partisans. Understanding these dynamics is essential to grasping the historical grievances that permeate Shia thought.