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| Umayyad Caliphate in 750 |
Upon
the death of the third Rashidun Caliph, Uthman, tensions between those who
supported election for the next leaders and those who wanted blood relatives of
Mohammad to succeed and lead the community. The later, called the Shia Muslims,
gain the upper hand when their candidate, Ali ibn Abi Talib, cousin and
son-in-law to the Prophet Mohammad, became finally the new caliph. However,
many challenged his authority. Allegations of conspiracy for the murder of
previous Caliph and lack of conviction to punish the murders of Uthman, drove
many to rebel against Ali. Among those who oppose the caliph would be Muawiya.
He would lead the strongest opposition to Ali and eventually lead to the
establishment of a new Caliphate – the Umayyad.
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