Editing Mu'awiya (section)

==Caliphate==
[[File:Umayyad_Mosque,_Damascus.jpg|thumbnail|Great mosque of Banu Umayya in Damascus, one of the oldest and largest mosques in the world.]]
After 'Ali was assassinated by a [https://www.britannica.com/topic/Kharijite Kharijite] dissident in 661, he was succeeded by his son [Hasan] for a short while. After gaining support of Syrians, Mu'awiya went to Iraq to confront Imam Hasan. Doubted in the loyalty of his companion, Imam accepted the peace with Mu'awiya provided that the caliphate of Muslims after Mu'awiya would be for Imam al-Hasan. Thereby, Mu'awiya inaugurated Umayyad rule in 661 and the seat of the caliphate was transferred to Damascus.

Mu'awiya's rule, according to most historians, was characterized by peace and justice. Governors were granted full civil and military authority. However, toward the end of his life, he nominated his son [[Yazid]] to succeed him. This move met with a great deal of opposition, especially from 'Abdallah ibn Zubayr and Ali's son, [[Hussain ibn Ali|Hussain ibn 'Ali]].

Mu'awiya was accused of turning the caliphate into a kingship. The legitimacy of Yazid's succession was debated and contested by many, including Hussain ibn Ali. Hussain's march with his followers to challenge Yazid met a tragic end at [[Karbala]], an event that is commemorated to this day by the [[Shiʿa|Shiʻa]] as well as many [[Sunnis|Sunni]] Muslims.