MCQ Detailed View

The city of Kufa, located in present-day Iraq, was made the capital of the Islamic Caliphate in 36 AH (656 CE) during the caliphate of Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA). Initially, Madina served as the capital of the Muslim state under the leadership of the first three caliphs: Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA), Hazrat Umar (RA), and Hazrat Uthman (RA).

Following the assassination of Hazrat Uthman (RA) and the internal unrest that ensued, Hazrat Ali (RA) decided to move the capital from Madina to Kufa for several strategic reasons:

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  Geographical advantage: Kufa was closer to the areas where most political unrest and rebellions were occurring, especially in Iraq and Syria.

  
  


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  Military positioning: It was a strong garrison city with a large Muslim army presence, making it a safer base for military operations.

  
  


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  Administrative efficiency: The location provided better control over the expanding Islamic territories in Persia, Iraq, and neighboring regions.

  
  

Kufa remained the political center of the caliphate during Hazrat Ali’s rule until his martyrdom in 40 AH, after which the Umayyad dynasty established Damascus as their capital.

Key Facts:

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  Capital shift: From Madina to Kufa in 36 AH (656 CE).

  
  


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  Caliph: Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA).

  
  


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  Reason: Strategic, administrative, and military advantages.

  
  


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  Location: Iraq, a central position in the expanding Islamic state.

  
  


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  Later shift: Capital moved to Damascus under Umayyad rule after Hazrat Ali (RA).