Abu Muslim Al-Khurasani: The Legendary Hero of Abbasid Propaganda

Abstract

This paper narrates the events of Abu Muslim al-Khurasani’s inglorious life. Loved by some and feared and hated by others, Abu Muslim proved to be a man of substance, throughout his life. The paper begins with the introduction, detailing about how he came into play, during disputes with the Umayyad caliphate. It goes on to discussing conflicting views about Abu Muslim’s origin, how one believes him to have come from a prestigious lineage, while the other considers him merely a slave boy, with lucky stars. Following Abu Muslim’s background is a discussion of his contributions in the Abbasid propaganda, which led to a series of events, which eventually led to the worst massacre in all of Khurasan history, the end of the Umayyad caliphate and the birth of the Abbasid caliphate. The paper goes on to discussing Abu Muslim’s tenure as the governor, in the Khurasan, which despite of racial and religious differences, turned out to be a good example of his role, in history. This also led to a difference of opinion with other ruling parties, including his conflict with The Abbasid. Because of this conflict, Abu Muslim made a lot of enemies, which resulted in others rebelling and propagating against him, which eventually took his life.