Why did the Umayyads prevent people from converting to Islam?

In a Nutshell: The Umayyads discouraged mass conversion to Islam primarily to maintain their financial and social dominance. Converting to Islam would have meant equal tax status for non-Arabs, eroding the financial system that privileged the Arab ruling class. The Umayyad Power Structure The Umayyad Caliphate rose to power as a conquering Arab elite. Their authority rested on maintaining a distinction between themselves and the conquered populations, primarily non-Arabs. A key component of this distinction was taxation. Arabs, as Muslims, were beneficiaries of the tax system, while non-Arabs were the primary taxpayers. This system created a privileged ruling class (Arabs) that depended on the continued financial contributions from the conquered peoples. To maintain their position, the Umayyads implemented a system of social stratification. Arabs, as the conquering force and the original Muslims, occupied the top tier of society. Conquered populations, composed mostly of Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians were considered "protected peoples" (dhimmi) and were subjected to specific regulations. The cornerstone of Umayyad economic power was the system of taxation. Muslims were exempt from certain taxes, most notably the jizya (poll tax) imposed on non-Muslims. This created a financial system where the Arab ruling class was primarily supported by the taxes collected from the non-Arab majority. While Islam preached a message of universal brotherhood, mass conversion of the conquered peoples would have drastic economic consequences for the Umayyad state. If non-Arabs converted to Islam in large numbers, they would become eligible for tax exemptions enjoyed by Muslims. This would severely undermine the financial foundation upon which the Umayyad power rested. The Umayyads prioritized maintaining their privileged position and the financial stability of their empire over the inclusive principles of Islam. Discouraging mass conversion was a way to safeguard their economic interests and preserve the social hierarchy that benefited them. However, the desire to convert to Islam grew among the conquered peoples. This created increasing tension between the Umayyad's need for financial control and the universalist message of Islamic faith. The Umayyad policy of discouraging mass conversion led to growing resentment among the non-Arab populations. This resentment contributed to social unrest and fueled opposition movements that challenged Umayyad rule. Ultimately, the Abbasid Revolution overthrew the Umayyads in 750 AD. The Abbasids sought to create a more inclusive Islamic empire, emphasizing piety and equality among Muslims regardless of ethnicity. The Umayyad approach toward conversion has contributed to a negative perception of their dynasty within Islamic history. They are often seen as prioritizing worldly power and Arab supremacy over the core principles of Islamic faith. G.R.Hawting, a Senior Lecturer in the History of the Near and Middle East at the School of Oriental and African Studies, answers this question in his book "The First Dynasty of Islam - The Umayyad Caliphate AD 661–750" by saying: "The problem for the Umayyads was that they had come to power as leaders of a conquering Arab elite and to have allowed the conquered peoples to enter Islam en masse would have abolished or at least weakened the distinction between the elite and the masses. The crucial privileges of Islam, from this point of view, were in the area of taxation. In principle the Arabs were to be the recipients of the taxes paid by the non-Arabs. If the conquered peoples were allowed to become Muslims, and to change their position from that of payers to that of recipients of taxes, the whole system upon which the Umayyads depended would collapse. But as the pressure from the non-Arabs built up, and the universalist notion of Islam became stronger, this problem became increasingly urgent for the dynasty and played a major part in the generally negative attitude of Muslims towards the Umayyad dynasty." (p. 5) Conclusion In summary, the Umayyads discouraged mass conversion to Islam primarily out of economic self-interest. They sought to maintain a privileged financial position for the Arab ruling class, prioritizing a tax system that relied on the distinction between Muslims and non-Muslims. This policy, while ensuring short-term stability, created long-term social and religious tensions. Ultimately, it contributed to the downfall of the Umayyad dynasty and tarnished their legacy in Islamic historical memory.