Maslama ibn Abd al-Malik

Maslamah ibn Abd al -Malik (Arabic مسلمة بن عبد الملك, DMG Maslamah b ʿ Abd al -Malik, . * 685, † 738 in Syria ) was one of the most important Arab commander in the 8th century. He was the son of the Caliph Abd al -Malik and grandson of the Caliph Marwan I., brother of Caliph Al- Walid I and Sulaiman and cousin of Caliph Umar II.

Since his mother was a slave, he could no claims to the caliphate Sign in contrast to his half-brothers. As a general, he was going on in the Arab wars against Byzantium, in particular the siege of Constantinople Opel ( 717-718 ) and in fighting against the Khazars forth.

In Byzantine sources, he first appears in connection with the fighting around Tyana 707/ 08, in the year 712 Amaseia and Mistheia. After the failed attack on Constantinople Opel Maslamah 720 submitted as governor of Basra and Kufa a rebellion in Persia, 725/26, he conquered Caesarea in Cappadocia, 730 the fort Charsianon. As a new governor of Armenia he took 731 to the fight against the invading Khazars and went to the counter- offensive.

Maslamah Mosque

Later legend, is an agreement between Maslamah and the Byzantine construction of the first mosque in Constantinople Opel go back ( 718). But probably it was only completed by 860. Also a few years later erected by him main mosque in the southern Russian city of Derbent today was named after Maslamah.