Abd al-Aziz ibn Marwan

Abd al-Aziz ibn Marwan ibn al-Hakam (died 85 AH / 704 CE) was an Umayyad prince who served as governor of Egypt for over two decades, one of the most capable administrators of the early Umayyad caliphate. He was the son of Caliph Marwan ibn al-Hakam and the full brother of Caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, and was considered for a time as one of the most likely future caliphs.

He was appointed governor of Egypt around 65 AH and held the position for approximately twenty years, during which he administered one of the wealthiest and most populous provinces of the caliphate with relative stability and competence. Egypt under his governance produced enormous revenues for the central government and maintained internal order during the turbulent First and Second Fitnas that disrupted other provinces.

He was the father of Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz — Umar II, the Umayyad caliph universally praised for his piety and justice — which gives him a significant place in Islamic history as the parent of one of the most admired Muslim rulers. Umar was raised partly in Egypt under his father and partly in Medina under scholarly supervision, and his remarkable character was shaped by his father's influence.

Abd al-Aziz ibn Marwan died in Egypt in 85 AH, two years before his brother Abd al-Malik, meaning he predeceased the Caliph and never achieved the caliphate himself. Had he lived, the succession question would have been resolved differently and Umar II might never have become caliph. His death ended the career of one of the most effective Umayyad governors.