ABSTRACT
Umayya The family of Umayya was part of the clan of 'Abd Shams (q.v.) of the tribe of Quraysh (q.v.). Umayya passed on their name to an entire dynasty with the accession of Mu'āwiya b. Abī Sufyān (q.v.). (See Umayyads.)
Umayyads First major dynasty in mediaeval Islamic history, which established itself in Damascus (q.v.) after the death of 'Alī b. Abī Tālib (q.v.) who was the last of the Rāshidūn (q.v.). The Umayyads ruled a growing empire from 41/661 until 132/750. Their dynastic name derived ultimately from the grandfather of Abu Sufyan (q.v.) whose name was Umayya b. 'Abd Shams. 252
