Yazid III ibn al-Walid (744 CE) was the twelfth caliph of the Umayyad Caliphate, ruling for only a few months in 744 CE. Known as Yazid the Decrepit (Yazid al-Naqis), his reign was a direct result of the unrest caused by his predecessor, Al-Walid II, whose controversial lifestyle and governance alienated much of the ruling elite and the general population. Although Yazid III came to power with promises of reform and justice, his short rule was dominated by civil war, fragmentation, and the increasing collapse of central Umayyad authority.
- Full Name: Yazid ibn al-Walid ibn Abd al-Malik
- Reign: April 744 – October 744 CE (~6 months)
- Dynasty: Umayyad
- Father: Al-Walid I
- Predecessor: Al-Walid II
- Successor: Ibrahim ibn al-Walid
- Capital: Damascus, Syria
- Title: Yazid al-Naqis (“Yazid the Diminished”)
⚔️ Accession to Power
- Yazid III was the son of Al-Walid I, and a cousin of Al-Walid II.
- He led a revolt against Al-Walid II due to the latter’s perceived immorality, tyranny, and disregard for Islamic values.
- With support from key factions within Syria and the military, Yazid’s forces overthrew and killed Al-Walid II in early 744 CE, after which Yazid was proclaimed caliph.
🏛️ Policies and Reforms
Upon ascending the throne, Yazid III tried to present himself as a pious reformer in contrast to his predecessor:
1. Moral and Religious Stance
- He publicly condemned Al-Walid II’s behavior, promoting himself as a caliph who would uphold Islamic morals and justice.
- Sought to win support from religious scholars and the general public by declaring his intention to rule justly according to Islamic principles.
2. Administrative Changes
- Removed many of Al-Walid II’s loyal governors and appointed his own allies.
- Promised to ease tax burdens and treat Mawali (non-Arab Muslims) more fairly—an issue that had long caused resentment against the Umayyads.
💥 Challenges and Civil War
Despite his good intentions, Yazid III’s reign quickly descended into chaos:
1. Widespread Rebellion
- His legitimacy was questioned by several Umayyad family members and provincial governors.
- Marwan ibn Muhammad, the powerful governor of Armenia, refused to recognize Yazid’s authority and declared rebellion, beginning the civil war that would last for several years.
2. Third Fitna (Civil War)
- The civil war, known as the Third Fitna, intensified during his short reign.
- Yazid struggled to maintain control over distant provinces, and the caliphate began to fracture into competing regions and leadership claims.
⚰️ Death and Succession
- Yazid III died suddenly in October 744 CE, just six months into his reign.
- Some reports suggest he died of natural causes, possibly illness, while others hint at poisoning, although no definitive cause is agreed upon.
- After his death, his brother Ibrahim ibn al-Walid briefly succeeded him, but by then, the Umayyad state had plunged into deep internal conflict.
📉 Legacy
- Yazid III’s reign was short-lived and mostly ineffective, but it marked a critical point in the unraveling of Umayyad control.
- Though he tried to present a more righteous and just image, he lacked the time and power to implement lasting reforms.
- His reign further weakened the central authority of the Umayyads and paved the way for the final internal conflicts that would bring down the dynasty within a decade.
📝 Summary
Yazid III (744 CE) came to power by overthrowing Al-Walid II, promising moral leadership and reform. However, his brief rule was consumed by civil war, internal dissent, and challenges to his authority.
He died within six months of taking power, leaving behind a caliphate in deeper crisis and division—setting the stage for the final collapse of Umayyad rule in the East.
