Tolerance of Muslims toward christians at Umayyad era took many forms and aspects.

For instance, christians took part in administration and the different jobs. Caliph Mu`awyah ibn Abi-Sufyan (May Allah be pleased with him), ruler of Great Syria, realized that Arab and Roman christians are majority in Syria that they were artisans, employees, physicians and writers. Caliph recognized that he can not do without these christian figures in case he wills to gain mastery in  administering the Great Syria, thus, he kept them in their jobs and showed favor to the brilliant of them.

Caliph Mu`awyah entrusted the financial administration to a christian family, Sarjun family, whose offspring received it. It is said that Mu`awyah appointed his his physician Ibn Athal a wage warner on Homs's land tax. As well, `Abdulrahman ibn Zyad appointed the christian scribe Istifanus in Khorosan. Also, the palestinian ibn Al-Batriq was the copyist of Sulaiman ibn `Abdulmalik. The christian Tadhri ibn Astin was the scribe of Hesham ibn `Abdulmalik and assumed the divan of Homs.

So many christians worked in the royal palaces of the Muslims caliphs and rulers. For example, Thyazuq, the Greek physician who was the private physician for Al-Hajaj ibn Yusuf Athaqafi. Also, the Jewish phisician Masir Jiweih who worked in the royal palace of the caliph Marawan ibn `Abdulmalik and translated from the Syrian language a book on medicine[1].

An example on the tolerance of Muslims toward christians at the Umayyad caliphate that churches were fully preserved and protected, however, many churches were originated during the Muslim rule.

The caliphs of Umayyad period preserved the churches and it happened that Mu`awyah ordered the parts of Major Ar-Raha church to be repaired that affected by earthquakes.

Also, at the time of the Maslamah ibn Makhalad, Muslim ruler on Egypt, the first church in Fustat was originated in the quarter of Rome during the period (47-68 A.H). when `Abdul-`Aziz ibn Marawan founded the city of Helwan, he permitted two of his servants to build a church therein named Al-Farashin church and patriarch Leonas constructed another church.

More and above, `Abdul-`Aziz ibn Marawan, ruler of Egypt, permitted some of the bishopbs to construct two monasteries there. Also, he permited his copyist Ithnasyus to build a church in Kasr Asham`" palace of wax" who in turn was not content of one church that he built three churches, Mari Jerjes, Abi-Qir inside Kasr Asham` and the third in in Ar-Raha.

Papyruses indicate names of Copt provinces governors and employees since the very years Islam ruled Egypt which are dated back to 22 A.H/642 A.D.

Also, all indications prove that governors in Egypt at that time were all christinians that they were employed copyists, divan workers, governors to provinces, however, workers to collect land taxes.

(65-86 A.H/ -685-705A.D) at the end of `Abdul-`Aziz ibn Marawan rule era, the governor in upper Egypt was christian Egyptian named Butrus. The governor of Mariut was also christian named Tadfans. At the time of Qarah ibn Sharik 90-96 A.H, Tadurs, a christian man assumed the divan of Alexandria[2].

In Iraq, christians lived opulent life. They freely exercised their rites in their churches. Caliph Al-Hajaj who was accuses by some historians of persecuting christians permitted his governor on Khorasan to construct churches for christians. During the caliphate of Al-Hajaj, Sa`id ibn `Abdul-Malik ibn Marawan who was his governor on Mosul,  constructed a monastery there named Sa`id Church. Sa`id used to look after the monastery until the revenues of the monastery gardens reached 3000 dirhams annually[3].

Christians at the time of `Umar ibn `Abdul-`Aziz experienced his justice and compassion that he ordered his governors not ot destruct any church, synagogue or Magi places of worship held under peace accord[4]. Also, `Umar sent a message to his governor in Basra stated: " For non-Muslims living under our rule who are aged, weak and having no gains, you should pay for them from the treasury the sufficient sum[5]". As well, he made the taxes of the christians of Bani Taghlib to the poor of them and had not deposited it to the treasury[6].

Reference: Book " Future of the christians in the Muslim state"