Al-Saffah

MedievalEmperorAbbasid Caliphate721 — 754

First Abbasid caliph who overthrew the Umayyads.

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Quick Facts

Born

721

Died

754

Country

Abbasid Caliphate

Era

Medieval

Occupation

Emperor

Score Overview

Military (10%)65

Political (20%)68

Influence (20%)59

Legacy (20%)56

Leadership (15%)59

Strategy (15%)58

Total Score60.0

Al-Saffah — Complete Timeline

750 AD

Proclamation as CaliphPolitical Action

Al-Saffah was proclaimed the first Abbasid caliph in Kufa after the Abbasid Revolution overthrew the Umayyads. His title 'al-Saffah' means 'the Shedder of Blood', reflecting the violent transition.

CaliphateRevolutionAbbasid

Impact: global

Massacre of the UmayyadsPolitical Action◆ Major

Al-Saffah ordered the systematic elimination of the Umayyad family to prevent any restoration. Most Umayyad princes were killed, though one, Abd al-Rahman I, escaped to Spain and founded the Emirate of Cordoba.

MassacreUmayyadPurge

Impact: globaldestructive

Establishment of the Abbasid CaliphatePolitical Action

Al-Saffah established the Abbasid Caliphate, moving the capital from Damascus to a new city near Kufa. This shift marked the beginning of a new era in Islamic history, with a focus on Persian influence and Baghdad.

CaliphateCapitalIslamic History

Impact: global