The Mutiny of Abdullah Bin Ali Bin Abdullah Bin Al- Abbas (136 A.H /754 A.D - 147 A.H / 764 A.D)

Abstract

This research aims to shed light on the ambition of Abdullah Bin Ali Bin Abdullah Bin Al- Abbas, the uncle of both Caliphs Abu Al-Abbas (132 A.H /750 A.D - 136 A.H /754 A.D) and Abu Jafar Al - Mansour (136 A.H /754 A.D -158 A.H /774 A.D), to capture the Caliphate. It also attempts to show reasons for this ambition, as well as the obstacles that hindered his success and the consequences resulted.

The research concluded that the main reason for him to capture the Caliphate was the promise made by Abu Al-Abbas to Abdullah to be the next Caliph if the latter led the battle against Marwan Bin Mohammad(126 A.H /744 A.D - 132 A.H /750 A.D), the last Ummayad Caliph. But Abu Al-Abbas did not fulfill his promise to his uncle Abdullah after the fall of the Ummayad state in 132 A.H /750 A.D

Of the reasons behind Abdullah's failure in capturing the Caliphate was the lack of support from the Abbasid dynasty (except that from his brother Abdel - Samad Bin Ali). In addition to the large number of his soldiers whom he killed because he suspected their loyalty, and the trick used by his opponent, Abi Muslim, to weaken his army; which made a large number of Abdullah's soldiers put him off. One more reason was that many parts of Bilad Al- Sham desired to experience political stability after what they had experienced from bad economic and social conditions resulted by the khawarej revolutions and the tribal fights. Suffice it to say, the mutiny led to a split within the Abbasid dynasty, and showed Al-Mansour’s ability in getting rid of his enemies using whatever means available as happened to his uncle Abdullah.