ABSTRACT
With the fortuitous death of `Ali, the Umayyads reasserted the claim on the caliphate they had established under `Uthman. Mu`awiya (r.661-84) was a shrewd, decisive, temperate leader. Without these qualities, it is doubtful that the tensions involved in the first civil war could have been resolved in time to save the new Empire from disintegration. Although the Umayyads, the traditional ‘establishment’ family of Mecca, were accused of converting to Islam originally through opportunism rather than inspiration,1 Mu`awiya had been a companion of the Prophet who had built on his family’s existing links with Syria during his term as Governor of the province (639-61). He was careful not to install an Umayyad family aristocracy but sought legitimacy based on consensual leadership drawing on as wide a base as possible. He eschewed `Ali’s claim to religious primacy and based his political authority essentially on the army. He organised the Syrian forces along regular lines, eliminating the tribal factionalism that had traditionally determined the force structure.
