Al-Jabiya Conference: Controversy of Caliphate and Tribal Authority in the Umayyad Era

Abstract

The Umayyad caliphate has adopted the military force as a key element for its ruling policies. Levant tribes have been such a force which has enabled the Umayyad caliphate to impose their position and dominance on the pollical system back then. This was clearly seen after the mysterious death of Mu’awiya ii before he was called heir; and this has left the Umayyad caliphate threatened to collapse after the nationwide including Bilad Al Sham have all pledged allegiance Abdullah Bin Al Zubair was named the Caliph. Therefore, the Umayyads with what is left from Bilad Al Sham tribes rushed to meet up in Al Jabiya area where the debate lasted for forty nights. It resulted in the consolidation of the Umayyad caliphate rule and its continuity through the pledge of allegiance to Marwan ibn al-Hakam as a representative of the Marwani branch excluding the Soufyani one from Bani Umaya. The Jabiya meeting had serious consequences for the whole state. Failing to avoid those consequences make the caliphate pay the price of more consequences and a fall.