Abu Muslim
Abu Muslim
(ä`bo͞o mo͝os`lĭm), c.728–755, Persian leader of the AbbasidAbbasidor Abbaside
, Arab family descended from Abbas, the uncle of Muhammad. The Abbasids held the caliphate from 749 to 1258, but they were recognized neither in Spain nor (after 787) W of Egypt.
..... Click the link for more information. revolution. By political and religious agitation he raised (747) the black banners of the Abbasids against the ruling UmayyadUmayyad
, the first Islamic dynasty (661–750). Their reign witnessed the return to leadership roles of the pre-Islamic Arab elite, and the rejuvenation of tribal loyalties. The Banu Ummaya constituted the higher stratum of the pre-Islamic Meccan elite.
..... Click the link for more information. family. In 749 he established Abu al-Abbas as-Saffah, the head of the Abbasid family, as caliph of Islam. Abu Muslim became governor of Khorasan, but the caliph al-MansurMansur, al-
[Arab.,=the victorious], d. 775, 2d Abbasid caliph (754–75) and founder of the city of Baghdad. His name was in full Abu Jafar abd-Allah al-Mansur. He was brother and successor of Abu al-Abbas.
..... Click the link for more information. feared his power and treacherously murdered him.
Abu Muslim
Born circa 727; died circa 755. A leader of the anti-Umayyad rebellion in Khurasan.
In his early youth Abu Muslim was a slave belonging to one of the activists of the secret organization of supporters of the Abbasid clan. He was sent to the Marv Oasis in 747 to lead the uprising being planned there against the Umayyads. He drew Iranian peasants, some Arab tribes, fugitive slaves, and dekhkan into the uprising. From December 747 to January 748 the troops of Abu Muslim overran Marv. In 748 they took Nishapur and Tus (present-day Meshed), and in 749 they defeated the Umayyads near Nehavend. By early 750 they had achieved a decisive victory on the Great Zab River. After the Abbasids came to power, Abu Muslim remained the deputy overlord in Khurasan. He was murdered on the orders of Caliph Mansur, who feared the growing influence of Abu Muslim and his democratic trends.