Islamic history : a new interpretation

Acknowledgements                                                    vi

Preface page                                                               vii

1 The Islamic revolution in its environment              1

2 The emergence of Abu Bakr                                   16

3 Umar and the conquests                                           28

4 The breakdown of the Madinan regime                  60

5 Muawiya and the second civil war                          79

6 The age of Hajjaj                                                     100

7 Moderate reform, radical reform and reaction:

the reigns of Sulayman, Umar II and Yazid II           127

8 Hisham: survival of the empire                               138

9 The collapse of the Marwanids                               153

10 The end of an era                                                   165

Works cited                                                                 190

Index                                                                           193

MAPS

1 The Arabian Peninsula at the rise of Islam, illus-

trating trade routes, desert areas and tribal distribution 4-5

2 Syria, Jazira and Sawad 32-3

3 The western provinces 64

4 The eastern provinces 65