Abdul Malik bin Marwan – The Second Umayyad caliph
Abd al-Malik ibn Marwān (26 AH – 86 AH / 646 CE – 705 CE) رحمه الله was one of the most influential rulers of the Umayyad Caliphate. Through the permission of Allah ﷻ, he played a pivotal role in restoring stability to the Muslim world after the turmoil and division of the Second Fitnah (64-73 AH / 683-692 CE). His leadership helped reunify the Muslim lands and strengthen the foundations of the Islamic state.
Among his most significant achievements was the introduction of a distinct Islamic currency. Prior to this, Muslims commonly used Byzantine and Persian coinage. During his reign, Islamic gold dinars, silver dirhams, and copper coins were minted, bearing Islamic inscriptions and reflecting the independent identity of the Muslim Ummah.
ʿAbd al-Malik ibn Marwān رحمه الله was the fifth Umayyad Caliph and succeeded his father, Marwān ibn al-Ḥakam رحمه الله, in 65 AH (685 CE). He was known for his intelligence, administrative skill, firmness in governance, and dedication to strengthening the institutions of the Islamic state.
He implemented major reforms in administration and governance by making Arabic the official language of government throughout the empire. This policy helped unify the administration of the vast Muslim territories under one language. During his era, the Arabic script was further refined, and under the governorship of al-Ḥajjāj ibn Yūsuf رحمه الله, vowel markings and orthographic improvements became more widely used, assisting Muslims in reading and preserving the Arabic language.
One of the most renowned monuments associated with his reign is the Dome of the Rock (قبة الصخرة) in al-Quds (Jerusalem), completed around 72 AH (691-692 CE). It remains one of the greatest architectural achievements of Islamic civilisation and stands as a symbol of the honour and sanctity of the blessed land.
After a reign of approximately twenty years, ʿAbd al-Malik ibn Marwān رحمه الله passed away in 86 AH (705 CE). He left behind a legacy of political stability, administrative excellence, economic reform, and significant contributions to the development of the Islamic state. Due to the profound impact of his leadership and reforms, many historians refer to him as the “second founder of the Umayyad Caliphate.”
