Muawiyah b. Abu Sufyan

2. Political Ascendancy

Muawiyah’s ascent to power came after the tumultuous period following the assassination of the third caliph, Uthman b. Affan. His governance began in 661 CE when he established himself as the first Umayyad caliph. Shia narratives emphasize how Muawiyah exploited the political chaos of the era, utilizing strategic alliances, military confrontations, and propaganda to consolidate his power. His conflict with Ali b. Abi Talib, the rightful successor in Shia belief, further complicates the historical narrative surrounding his rule. The Battle of Siffin, pivotal in Islamic history, symbolizes the ideological schism that Muawiyah fostered, underlining the tension between legitimacy and authority.

3. Governance and Administrative Policies