Abu Muslim

Abu Muslim (c. 718 to 727 – 755 CE) was a Persian revolutionary and military commander who was a central figure in the Abbasid Revolution that brought down the Umayyad Caliphate and established the Abbasid Caliphate. Enslaved in Kufa during his youth, he came under the influence of Shi'ite activists associated with the Abbasid family when they secured his release and introduced him to anti-Umayyad doctrines. Recognized for his abilities and loyalty, he was tasked with leading Abbasid revolutionary activities in Khorasan and conferred the nom de guerre Abu Muslim. In 747, Abu Muslim initiated the open phase of the Abbasid revolt, rapidly seizing Merv and rallying broad support among the populations of Khorasan. He subsequently directed the Abbasid advance across the Iranian plateau and into the Levant, culminating in the collapse of Umayyad authority and the proclamation of the Abbasid Caliphate. Thereafter he served as governor of Khorasan and emerged as one of the most powerful figures of the early Abbasid state. Abu Muslim’s growing prominence provoked concern within the Abbasid leadership. While the first caliph refrained from acting against him, the second caliph, al-Mansur, ordered his execution in 755, alleging — likely without basis — that he harbored crypto-Zoroastrian sympathies. His death provoked unrest across Greater Iran, where he was subsequently venerated as a quasi-religious figure and martyr for centuries.