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The Downfall of the Umayyads

In 750, Abu-al Abass overthrew the Umayad Empire. The empire had been in decline for years. Conquests of new lands had declined, reducing riches pouring into the Umayyad's coffers. Also, the number of people paying Zakat declined 42%. There were three Caliphs in one year, 744.

The Umayyads had earned the title of being too interested in worldly goods. This angered religious leaders. Some people went around making secret societies planning the downfall of the Umayyad Empire.

Abu-al Abass killed all the Umayyad's leading officers exept for one person, who escaped. He was Abd al Rahmun. He fled to Spain, reuniting the warring Muslim fractions and resurrecting the Umayyad Caliphate.

In the east, the Abassids moved the capital from Damascus to Baghdad in Mesopotamia. Abu-al Abass took on the name "al Saffa" or the bloodthirsty.