ʿAbd al-Malik ibn Marwān was the fifth Umayyad caliph, ruling from 65–86 AH / 685–705 CE. Born in Madinah, he was known for his study of the Qur’an and…
ʿAbd al-Malik ibn Marwān was the fifth Umayyad caliph, ruling from 65–86 AH / 685–705 CE. Born in Madinah, he was known for his study of the Qur’an and Islamic jurisprudence before assuming the caliphate. He came to power during a period of major political division and succeeded in restoring Umayyad authority and reuniting most of the Muslim territories under a strong central administration. His reign introduced important reforms, including the adoption of Arabic as the principal language of government, the establishment of an independent Islamic currency and the reorganisation of the state administration. He also gave particular attention to Jerusalem and Masjid al-Aqsa, commissioning an extensive Umayyad building programme across the sacred sanctuary. This included the construction of the Dome of the Rock, completed in 72 AH / 691–692 CE, and the development of the congregational prayer hall in the southern part of Masjid al-Aqsa, whose work was later completed by his son, Caliph al-Walid ibn ʿAbd al-Malik. He also ordered the construction of the nearby Dome of the Chain. ʿAbd al-Malik ruled for approximately twenty years and was succeeded by his son al-Walid. A grave within Bāb al-Ṣaghīr Graveyard in Damascus is traditionally attributed to him and stands near the grave associated with al-Walid.