Umar Ibn Abd Aziz: Best Umayyad Caliph .

 

Source: Tribunnews.wiki.

Today, we will discuss about Caliph Uma Ibn Abd Aziz, best caliph at Umayyad Caliphate Era who only ruled for 3 years ( 717-720 years). He mentioned by Caliph Umar II and popular with his simpleness and humbleness. Ok, please read this article until end and subscribe my blog for more informations about Islamic History and Civilizations. It is easy verb for you, but have big role for help us educate people about Islamic History and Civilization though our blog. Ok, happy reading.

Umar Ibn Abd Aziz, born at 59, 61, or 62 H.  His full name is Umar ibn Abd Aziz ibn Marwan ibn Hakam ibn Abu Ash Ibn Umayya. His mother, Umm Ashim, is granddaughter from Caliph Umar Ibn Khattab , second caliph from Rashidun Caliphate ( ruled 634-644 AD).

His father, Abd Aziz became Umayyad Governor at Egypt and Umar , grown at Medina, Saudi Arabia. At City Of Medina, Umar spend his time for deep Islamic Religion. He studied Hadiths ( Islamic Oral Tradition from Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam) from several Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam s shahabas , from them Abdullah Ibn Jafar, Saib Ibn Yazid, Sahl Ibn Saad, Yusuf Ibn Abdullah Ibn Salam, Said Ibn al-Musayyib, and other. He also often visit his son from Umar Ibn Khattab, Abdullah Ibn Umar Ibn Khattab.

Because Umar Ibn Abd Aziz s uncle, Abd Malik Ibn Marwan, is Umayyad Caliph, after die of Abd Aziz,  Abd Malik bring Umar Ibn Abd Aziz to Damascus, Capital Of Umayyad Dynasty. Abd Malik married Umar with his daughter, Fathimah and make Umar as leader at one territories at Syria, Khanasira ( now at Aleppo, Syria).  At 87 H, Caliph Abd Malik Ibn Marwan die and replaced by his son, Al-Walid Ibn Abd Malik. Al-Walid make Umar as Mayor Of Medina.

For his advisors, Umar Ibn Abd Aziz give this postion to Urwah Ibn Zubayr, Ubayd allah, Sulayman Ibn Yasar, and others from his bestfriends and his teachers. At 93 H, Caliph Al-Walid fired Umar Ibn Abd Aziz from his position as Mayor Of Medina, because report from Umayyad Governor at Iraq, Hajjaj Ibn Yusuf that Umar Ibn Abd Aziz protect Iraqian rebels.

After his fire, Umar back to Syria and when Umayyad Caliphate lead by Sulayman Ibn Abd Malik, Umar became Umayyad Dynasty s advisor. Until 717 AD, Umar replaced Sulayman as Umayyad Caliph. Umar Ibn Abd Aziz, when became Umayyad Caliph, used simple lifestyle, different with other Umayyad Caliphs who love build luxury palace and love glamour lifestyle. Caliph Umar Ibn Abd Aziz also practise tight selection for choose state s birocrat. He give condition state birocrasts must believers, clever, and competent, and of course, can received by Muslims Society.

Umar Ibn Abd Aziz also resist discrimination to Non Muslims that practise by Umayyad Dynasty. At this era, exist habit Umayyad s territories leader take Jizyah ( tax for Non Muslims) from Muslims who just now convert to Islam and Non Muslim who convert to Islam forced circumcised by Umayyad territories leaders. Al-Jarrah Ibn Abdullah,  Umayyad Governor Of Khorasan, doing circumcised forced for Non Muslims who convert to Islam at Khorasan. Caliph Umar fired him from his position and replaced him with Abdurahman Ibn Nuaym al-Qushairi.

With his skill at negosiation, Umar Ibn Abd Aziz also can stop Kharijites rebels without confrontation. Kharijites, was became oppositions that became Umayyad Dynasty s enemy from establishment of Umayyad Dynasty. But, Umar can stop this rebel because weapon confrontation.

At international politic, Caliph Umar stopped expansion and prioritzing Islamic Preach at Umayyad conquer s territories. He send many preachers to Umayyad conquer territories and many people convert to Islam after hear Caliph Umar  s preachers. Umar Ibn Abd Aziz also send letter to Dukes at Transoxiana and Kings Of Sindh ( now Pakistn) for invited him convert to Islam. And, they convert to Islam after hear about Umar s justice abd character.

Caliph Umar Ibn Abd Aziz also make peace covenant with Byzantine Empire and  pull Umayyads Army that besieged Constantinople, Capital Of Byzantine Empire. He die at 720 AD, at Homs, Syria. May Allah Subhanahuwataala bless him.

Refrences:
Hitti, Philip.K: History Of The Arabs: Rujukan Induk dan Paling Otoritatif Tentang Sejarah Peradaban Islam, Penerbit Serambi, 2006 M.

Abdul Lathif, Prof.DR.Abdussyafi Muhammad: Bangkit dan Runtuhnya Khilafah Umayyah 41-133 H/661-750 M: Kekhalifahan Islam Pertama Setelah Khulafaur Rasyidin, Pustaka al-Kautsar, 2023 M.

Pulungan, J.Suyuti: Umar Bin Abdul Aziz - Ensiklopedia Islam, accesed 22 May 2025, 10: 05 AM.