1.4.3.4 The Advent of Islam: Arab-Sasanian

Within a year of Mohammed's death, his successors held Arabia securely enough to invade Persia and the Byzantine Empire. The defeat of the Byzantines at Damascus in 635 allowed Mesopotamia, which had long been ethnically Arab, to be invaded. In 637 the Arabs took Ctesiphon, and in 641-42 they defeated the Sasanians at Nihavand, after which Persia fell to the invaders. The Persian people had little to lose by cooperating, though resistance lasted until 650. Conversion to Islam was rapid among the urban population but slower among the peasantry, most of whom did not convert until the ninth century. The Arabs adopted Sasanian coin types [which survived in modified form for two hundred years] and administrative practices. The Islamic conquest was a long chaotic process, marked by power struggles that climaxed when Caliph Ali was murdered in 661.

Tavus al-Malaik

The Omayyad Caliphate then took power in Damascus, and its struggle with the followers of Ali ultimately led to the Sunni-Shia schism. Rebellions threw Persia into chaos, while Tabaristan remained under control of nominally tributary warlords. One result of this civil war was the emergence of the Yazidiya shaitanparastan (devil-worshippers). Yazid rebelled against the Caliphate. His followers venerate Tavus al-Malaik, greatest of the angels, who rebelled against God but will be forgiven after seven thousand years in Hell, when his tears fill seven jars. The Yazidiya view derogatory references to Satan as blasphemy. They controlled much of Persia during the civil wars, issuing coins that may be distinguished from regular issues by cabalistic symbols and variations in the legends, and their sect endures today among the Kurds.

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WZ.2 2647 Arab-Sasanian, Abdallah Ibn Al-Zubair: AR 31 Drachm $150.00 AH 68 Obv. Sasanid bust in style of Khusru II r. Rev. Fire-altar w. attendants DA AH 68 4.10 g Walker, p. 34, z.2 PL XXXII no. 3 EF, well struck	W042 2649 Arab-Sasanian, Abdallah Ibn Al-Zubair: AR 31 Drachm $150.00 AH 68 Obv. Sasanid bust in style of Khusru II r. Rev. Fire-altar w. attendants DA AH 68 4.13 g Walker, p. 33, 45 PL VI no. 4 EF, well struck
W047 2651 Arab-Sasanian, Abdallah Ibn Al-Zubair: AR 31 Drachm $150.00 AH 68 Obv. Sasanid bust in style of Khusru II r. Rev. Fire-altar w. attendants DA AH 68 4.16 g Walker, p. 35, 47 PL XXXII no. 4 EF, well struck	*W091 2672 Arab-Sasanian, 'Ubaidallah Ibn Ziyad: AR 30 Drachm $150.00** AH 64 Obv. Sasanid bust in style of Khusru II r. Rev. Fire-altar w. attendants DA AH 64 4.15 g Walker P.4 (Pl. XXXIV.7) EF
W ANS8 2674 Arab-Sasanian, Abdallah Ibn Al-Zubair: AR 30 Drachm $200.00 AH 65 Obv. Sasanid bust in style of Khusru II r. Rev. Fire-altar w. attendants DA AH 65 4.13 g Walker p. 35, ANS.8 PL V.10 EF, well struck	W045 2652 Arab-Sasanian, Abdallah Ibn Al-Zubair: AR 31 Drachm $150.00 AH 69 Obv. Sasanid bust in style of Khusru II r. Rev. Fire-altar w. attendants DA AH 69 4.08 g Walker, p. 34, 45 PL VI no. 4 EF, well struck