'Yazīd ibn Mu‘āwiya ibn Abī Sufyān (born 645; died 683), commonly known as Yazid I, was the second Caliph

Caliph

The Caliph is the head of state in a Caliphate, and the title for the ruler of the Islamic Ummah, an Islamic community ruled by the Shari'ah. It is a transcribed version of the Arabic word   which means "successor" or "representative"...

 of the Umayyad Caliphate (and the first one by birthright). He ruled for three years from 680 CE until his death in 683 CE. Many Muslims condemn Yazid's rule as contentious and unjust. Yazid was not chosen by election or by council, but appointed himself after the death of his father, Mu'awiyah.