Muawiyah b. Abu Sufyan

5. Propagation of Umayyad Ideology

Muawiyah established a dynastic rule, innovating in statecraft that paved the way for the Umayyad ideology which emphasized a secular approach to leadership rather than the religious qualifications advocated by his adversaries. His employment of tribal loyalties, and patronage networks facilitated the propagation of Umayyad supremacy. The perpetual antagonism toward Imam Ali’s lineage not only politically sidelined them but also sought to taint their narrative within Islamic discourse. This antagonism is illustrated through the systematic vilification of Ali and his descendants, an act viewed by Shia Muslims as a transgression against the prophetic lineage.

6. Muawiyah in Historical Memory