Which group of Muslims accepts the descendants of the Umayyads as the rightful leaders?

The Sunnis are the group of Muslims who accept the descendants of the Umayyads as the rightful leaders. This is rooted in their belief that the leadership of the Muslim community, known as the caliphate, should be based on consensus and merit rather than lineage. The Umayyad dynasty, which ruled from 661 to 750 CE, was one of the first major caliphates and its leaders were recognized by Sunnis as legitimate rulers during its reign.

The significance of this acceptance lies in the Sunni perspective on leadership and authority within the Muslim community. Sunnis hold that the caliphates should be chosen based on their ability to lead and govern effectively rather than strictly through familial ties. As a result, they generally support various dynastic rulers as long as they maintain order and uphold Islamic values, which included leaders from the Umayyad lineage.

Understanding this helps clarify the broader dynamics within Islam regarding governance and the role of lineage versus community consensus, distinguishing Sunnis from Shi'a and other sects that may emphasize different criteria for rightful leadership.