Before Damascus, which city served as the capital of the Muslim Empire?

Explanation

During the Caliphate of Ali (R.A), the capital of the Muslim Empire was shifted from Medina to Kufa in Iraq around 656 CE. Kufa remained the capital throughout Ali's caliphate and continued as an important administrative center. After the establishment of the Umayyad Caliphate, Muawiya (R.A) moved the capital to Damascus, making Kufa the immediate predecessor to Damascus as the imperial capital.

Good to know

Kufa was founded in 638 CE during the caliphate of Umar (R.A) as a garrison city (misr) for Arab troops. It later became a major center of Islamic learning, Arabic grammar, and the Kufic script. The city also played a significant role in early Islamic political history, including the events surrounding the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (R.A) at nearby Karbala.

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