Sulayman is on his way to attack…

Sulayman is on his way to attack the borders of the Empire when he dies in late 717.

Having broken with tradition by ignoring his brothers and son and thereby not maintaining a hereditary dynasty, he had appointed Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz as his successor because of Umar's reputation as being one of the most wise, capable and pious persons of this era.

This appointment is rare, although it technically fulfills the Sunni Islamic method of appointing a successor, whereas hereditary succession does not.