<P> Conflicts over Uthman 's policies led to his murder in 656 . Ali , the cousin and son - in - law of Muhammad , became caliph and moved his capital from Medina to Kufa . He soon met with resistance from several factions , especially from Muawiyah , the governor of Syria , who wanted Uthman 's murderers arrested . Muhammad 's wife , Aisha , and two companions of Muhammad , Talhah and Al - Zubayr , supported this demand . The conflict resulted in the First Fitna ( `` civil war '' ) from 656 until 661 . Ali was victorious against Aisha in the Battle of the Camel in 656 but the Battle of Siffin ( July 657 ) against Muawiyah was inconclusive . Ali 's position als Caliph was weakened when he first agreed to an arbitration but then refused to accept the verdict , that both Ali and Muawiyah should step down and a new Caliph be chosen . In 661 , the most vociferous opponents of the arbitration , the Kharijites , tried to kill both rivals ; while Ali was killed , the attempt on Muawiyah failed . Ali 's son Hasan ( the second Imam for the Shias ) , accepted Muawiyah as Caliph on the condition that he be just to the people and keep them safe and secure , and that he not establish a dynasty to rule after his death . In spite of the latter condition , this marked the beginning of the Umayyad dynasty , with its capital in Damascus . </P>
<P> Conflicts over Uthman 's policies led to his murder in 656 . Ali , the cousin and son - in - law of Muhammad , became caliph and moved his capital from Medina to Kufa . He soon met with resistance from several factions , especially from Muawiyah , the governor of Syria , who wanted Uthman 's murderers arrested . Muhammad 's wife , Aisha , and two companions of Muhammad , Talhah and Al - Zubayr , supported this demand . The conflict resulted in the First Fitna ( `` civil war '' ) from 656 until 661 . Ali was victorious against Aisha in the Battle of the Camel in 656 but the Battle of Siffin ( July 657 ) against Muawiyah was inconclusive . Ali 's position als Caliph was weakened when he first agreed to an arbitration but then refused to accept the verdict , that both Ali and Muawiyah should step down and a new Caliph be chosen . In 661 , the most vociferous opponents of the arbitration , the Kharijites , tried to kill both rivals ; while Ali was killed , the attempt on Muawiyah failed . Ali 's son Hasan ( the second Imam for the Shias ) , accepted Muawiyah as Caliph on the condition that he be just to the people and keep them safe and secure , and that he not establish a dynasty to rule after his death . In spite of the latter condition , this marked the beginning of the Umayyad dynasty , with its capital in Damascus . </P>
where did the umayyads move the capital of the muslim empire
where did the umayyads move the capital of the muslim empire
Kufa
Kufa