The Chaliphate - Muir - The Search For Mecca

A.D. 6S3-92] HIS SHORT REIGN 319
Keis and northern tribes were equally prejudiced against it, A.H. 64-73-
and joined Ad-Dahhak on the side of Ibn az-Zubeir. Several RattiTof
months passed thus ; at last, towards the close of the year, Merj Rahit.
Merwan attacked his enemy at Merj Rahit, and after some
weeks of fighting, completely discomfited him. Ad-Dahhak
being left dead upon the field. Thereupon all Syria returned
to its allegiance. Egypt also was regained ; and an army
under Mus'ab, brother of Ibn az-Zubeir, seeking to recover
Syria, was put to flight. Merwan owed his success to two
persons, 'Obcidallah the son of Ziyad, who persuaded him to
contest the Caliphate when he and all the Umeiyads believed
their case was hopeless, and Ibn Bahdal, who held sway over
the Yemeni tribes. On his side fought besides Kelb and
Ghassan, Sakun, Sahsak, Tanubh, Tai', and Kain. Ad-
Dahhak was supported by Suleim, 'Amir (Hawazin), and
Dhubyan— all Keis. The battle gave rise to a blood-feud
between the Yemeni and Keisi tribes, traces of which exist
down to the present day.
Allegiance had been sworn to Merwan on 3 xi. 64 A.H.
I nd of
(June 22, 684 A.D.) at Al-Jabiya, and after the battle the oath
was renewed at Damascus, two months later ; but in the
MerwaVs
death, 27 ix.
midst of his success, he came to an ignoble and untimely May 7,
end. Fearing the stability of his throne, he set aside the 685 a.d.
recognised arrangement by which Khalid, brother
of the late
C'alijjh, should succeed, in favour of his own son 'Abd al-Melik,
whom he proclaimed heir-apparent. Then either with the
view of reconciling Khalid's mother, that is, the widow of
Yczid, or of weakening her son's claim, he took her himself
to wife. Further, he made light of her son, and treated him
with indignity. The proud Bedawi dame was offended and
look a signal revenge. As the Caliph slept by her side, she
smothered him with a pillow, so that he was found dead in
his bed. Born at the beginning of the Muslim era, and now
over threescore years of age, he had gained an unenviable
notoriety as an unscrupulous agent of the faction of 'Othman,
though his demerits have no doubt been magnified by the
opposite party. His reign lasted barely a year. He was Succeeded by
succeeded by his son 'Abd al-Melik, whose authority was at
once recognised throughout Syria and Eg)'pt.
It may be useful for a moment to notice events transpiring
in the East which illustrate the intense jealousy
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