Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz's Stance on the Shi'a

Abstract

      Omar bin Abdul Aziz is considered the eighth ruler of the Umayyads، as he assumed power in the year 99 AH and ruled until the year 101 AH، for a period of approximately two and a half years. Historians and biographers praised him and commended him، and some even went so far as to count him among the Rightly Guided Caliphs after Imam Ali، peace be upon him. They mentioned his stances and reforms that distinguished him from the Umayyad rulers who preceded him. However، what is important here is to study his stance towards the Shiites in order to see the extent of his rigidity regarding the Umayyad thought and Sunnah or his movement loyal to the Ahl al-Bayt، peace be upon them. We studied this subject using a descriptive and analytical approach، relying on reliable historical books. It was concluded from it that the position of Omar bin Abdul Aziz was neutral towards the origin of the Shiite call، as there was no mention of him attacking the Shiites or preventing the origin of the Shiite call، as it is known about him according to what was mentioned by historical sources that he respected the people of the house، peace be upon them، and he did not cause them any harm، and the pages of history pointed to the ideal position of Omar bin Abdul Aziz in returning Fadak to the people of the house، peace be upon them، despite the presence of some opposition from the Umayyads. Among his noble stances was his prevention of the Umayyads from attacking the Commander of the Faithful، Ali، peace be upon him، on the pulpits after it had become a common tradition among the Umayyads. He used to order the people of the house to have their rights from the public treasury، and he used to give them some money openly or secretly، according to what was mentioned in historical sources.