3. Tribal Jealousies The centrifugal forces in social life became weak, family spirit asserted itself and the asabiyah system (tribal spirit and feuds) began to be-revived, causing destruction to the fabric of Islam. Tribal jealousies and wars ended in civil wars. This was the period of chaos and confusion while the Caliph having but little hold on the outlying provinces. Trouble started at home. Hisham was succeeded by his nephew Walid II who emptied the treasury by distributing gifts and increasing salary of the soldiery which gained for him some popularity but his dissolute and profane habit caused great scandal. Even some Umayyads plotted against him and Yazid, the grandson of Abdul Malik, sought his down fall. Yazid who gained a large following was discouraged by his brother al-Abbas and, also, by Marwan from his nefarious design but he was instigated by his Yamani supporters. He occupied Damascus and sent a body of troops against the Caliph who was then in the south of Syria. His palace was besieged and he was slain in Jamadi II 126/April 744.
As the main supporters of the new Caliph, Yazid in, were the Yamanis, the Mudars and the Qaysis, therefore, became his enemies. Man> who still considered the Caliph’s person sacred hated Yazid for his behaviour with the previous Caliph. The soldiery became angery when due to the shortage of funds their enhanced salary was withdrawn. Rivalries among the members of the royal family caused disturbance both at Damascus and Hims. Another serious rising in Palestine was put down but by promising offices and largess to the rebel leaders.
