WI: Ibn Al Zubayr emerges as Caliph after Second Fitna

Ibn al Zubayr was killed in 692 during the siege of Mecca, an event that allowed the Umayyad Abd al Malik the opportunity to consolidate power and carry out his important coinage reform, build the Dome of the Rock, and complete the Arabization of the bureaucracy of the caliphate.

In many ways, Abd al Malik’s rule as Caliph defined Islam going forward.

However, research and excavations have shown than perhaps Ibn al Zubayr was more widely recognized than previously thought, with coins struck in his name as far away as Eastern Persia and Cyrenaica. This despite his rule being thought to consist of no more than the Hejaz by the very end. His connection to Aisha and the companions of the Prophet undoubtedly helped with his legitimacy, but the Syrian stronghold of the Umayyads was too much of a barrier to overcome.

Let’s say he wins and emerges as Caliph from the Fitna of 680-692. How is this brought about? Does he rule the Caliphate from Mecca rather than Syria? Is he likely to carry out the reforms similar to Abd al Malik’s? Is he able to squash the northern tribe/southern tribe beefs that arguably ultimately led to the downfall of the Umayyads ?
 
A further question of course is, ultimately, how much of what Abd al Malik did was because of his own ideas, and how much was because of al-Hajjaj, the notorious governor of Iraq?

Al Hajjaj was involved in the important coinage reform, after all, and seemed to set new standards for administration.

Iraq of course was known at the time for the garrison cities that helped to segregate the Arabs from the non-Arabs they ruled over. Would Ibn al Zubayr look to break down that barrier earlier on?
 
It also might be worth considering if Caliphal succession evolves differently under Ibn al-Zubayr. The Umayyads had issues in that it was never really clear if they were going by sons or brothers, and this obviously generated a lot of infighting.

One good POD for bringing about a Zubayr led Caliphate, is if the Kalb tribal leaders do not see the death of Umayyad rule as being injurious to their status. Perhaps concessions could be made beforehand.
 
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