Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan has pursued an extensive and successful policy of Arabization of the administration of the Umayyad empire, making Arabic the official state language.

The financial administration of the empire has been reorganized, with Arabs replacing Persian and Greek officials; and a new Arabic coinage has replaced the former imitations of Eastern Roman and Sassanian coins.

Communications have also improved with the introduction of a regular post service from Damascus to the provincial capitals, and architecture flourishes.

Shortly before 'Abd al-Malik's death, the question of succession becomes acute.

His brother, 'Abd al-'Aziz, governor of Egypt, had been designated by their father to succeed 'Abd al-Malik.

Against the advice of his courtiers, 'Abd al-Malik has begun to take steps to exclude his brother from succession in favor of his own children.

He has tried to pressure 'Abd al-'Aziz to renounce his claims but without success.

Luckily for 'Abd al-Malik, 'Abd al-'Aziz dies in May 705, leaving 'Abd al-Malik free to name three of his own children to succeed him, al-Walid, Sulayman, and Yazid.

'Abd al-Malik dies in Damascus shortly thereafter and is succeeded without difficulty by his eldest son, al-Walid.

Under 'Abd al-Malik and his sons, the Umayyad caliphate will reach its peak.