Difference between revisions of "Fatimids Caliphate" - New World Encyclopedia
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| − | The '''Fatimids''', '''Fatimid Caliphate''' or '''al-Fātimiyyūn''' (Arabic الفاطميون) is the [[Shia]] dynasty that ruled much of [[North Africa]] from AD 5 January 910 to 1171. The term ''Fatimite'' is sometimes used to refer to the citizens of this caliphate. They belonged to the [[Ismaili]] branch of Shi'ism | + | The '''Fatimids''', '''Fatimid Caliphate''' or '''al-Fātimiyyūn''' (Arabic الفاطميون) is the [[Shia]] dynasty that ruled much of [[North Africa]] from AD 5 January 910 to 1171. The term ''Fatimite'' is sometimes used to refer to the citizens of this caliphate. They belonged to the [[Ismaili]] branch of Shi'ism. |
==The Fatimid Rise== | ==The Fatimid Rise== | ||
| − | The Fatimids had their origins in what is modern Tunisia ("[[Ifriqiya]]") but after | + | The Fatimids had their origins in what is now modern Tunisia ("[[Ifriqiya]]"), but after their success in commandeering rule over Egypt around 970 C.E., they relocated to a new capital, Cairo. By this time, the Abbasid caliphate, ruling from Baghdad, had lost effective control over what was becoming a decentralized Islamic empire. |
| − | Under the Fatimids, [[Egypt]] became the center of an [[empire]] that included | + | Under the Fatimids, [[Egypt]] became the center of an [[empire]] that included North Africa, [[Sicily]], [[Palestine (region)|Palestine]], [[Syria]], the [[Red Sea]] coast of Africa, [[Yemen]] and the [[Hejaz]]. Under the Fatimids, Egypt flourished and developed an extensive trade network in both the [[Mediterranean]] and the [[Indian Ocean]], which eventually determined the economic course of Egypt during the [[High Middle Ages]]. |
| − | The dynasty and its followers belonged to the {{unicode|[[Shiite|Shīˤite]]}} branch of [[Islam]] and to a sect called the [[Ismailis|Ismā'īliyya]]. The dynasty was founded in 909 by {{unicode|[[Ubayd Allah al-Mahdi Billah|ˤAbdullāh al-Mahdī Billa]]}}, who | + | The dynasty and its followers belonged to the {{unicode|[[Shiite|Shīˤite]]}} branch of [[Islam]] and in particular, to a sect of Shi'ism called the [[Ismailis|Ismā'īliyya]]. The dynasty was founded in 909 by {{unicode|[[Ubayd Allah al-Mahdi Billah|ˤAbdullāh al-Mahdī Billa]]}}, who claimed legitimacy through asserting his descent from [[Muhammad|the Prophet]] by way of the Prophet's daughter [[Fatima Zahra|Fātima as-Zahra]] and her husband {{unicode|[[Ali ibn Abi Talib|ˤAlī ibn-Abī-Tālib]]}}, the first {{unicode|Shīˤa}} [[Imam|Imām]], hence the name ''al-Fātimiyyūn'' "Fatimid". |
Abdullāh al-Mahdi's control soon extended over all of central [[Maghreb]], an area consisting of the modern countries of [[Morocco]], [[Algeria]], [[Tunisia]] and [[Libya]], which he ruled from [[Mahdia]], his newly-built capital in Tunisia. | Abdullāh al-Mahdi's control soon extended over all of central [[Maghreb]], an area consisting of the modern countries of [[Morocco]], [[Algeria]], [[Tunisia]] and [[Libya]], which he ruled from [[Mahdia]], his newly-built capital in Tunisia. | ||
| − | The Fatimids entered [[Egypt]] in 972, conquering the [[Ikhshidid dynasty]] and founding a new capital at ''al-Qāhirat'' "The Subduer" (modern [[Cairo]]) | + | The Fatimids entered [[Egypt]] in 972, conquering the [[Ikhshidid dynasty]] and founding a new capital at ''al-Qāhirat'' "The Subduer" (modern [[Cairo]]).They continued to extend their control over the surrounding areas until they ruled a span of territory from Tunisia to [[Syria]] and their influence even crossed over into [[Sicily]] and southern Italy. |
| − | Unlike other governments in the area, Fatimid advancement in state [[office]]s was based more on [[merit]] than on [[heredity]]. Members of other branches of Islām, like the [[Sunni]]s, were just as likely to be appointed to government posts as Shiites. Tolerance was extended | + | Unlike other governments in the area, Fatimid advancement in state [[office]]s was based more on [[merit]] than on [[heredity]]. Members of other branches of Islām, like the [[Sunni]]s, were just as likely to be appointed to government posts as Shiites. In fact, the Fatimids ruled over a majority Sunni population in Cairo. Tolerance was extended further to non-Muslims such as [[Christian]]s and [[Jew]]s, who occupied high levels in [[government]] based on expertise(although exceptions to this general attitude of tolerance include one significant aberration, the eccentric Fatimid known as the "Mad Caliph" [[Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah]]). |
==Decay and Fall== | ==Decay and Fall== | ||
| − | In the 1040s, the [[Zirids]] (governors of North Africa under the Fatimids) declared their independence from the Fatimids and their conversion to "orthodox" Sunnī Islām, which led to the devastating [[Banu Hilal|Banū Hilal]] invasions. After about 1070, | + | In the 1040s, the [[Zirids]] (governors of North Africa under the Fatimids) declared their independence from the Fatimids and their conversion to "orthodox" Sunnī Islām, which led to the devastating [[Banu Hilal|Banū Hilal]] invasions. After about 1070, Fatimid authority over the Levant coast and parts of Syria was challenged first by Turkic invasions, then by the [[Crusades]], so that Fatimid territory shrunk until eventually, it consisted only of Egypt. |
| − | After the decay of the Fatimid political system in the 1160s, the [[Zengid]] ruler [[Nur ad-Din|Nūr ad-Dīn]] had his general, [[Saladin]], | + | After the decay of the Fatimid political system in the 1160s, the [[Zengid]] ruler [[Nur ad-Din|Nūr ad-Dīn]] had his general, [[Saladin]], seized Egypt in 1169, forming the [[Sunni]] [[Ayyubid Dynasty]]. |
== Fatimid Imāms == | == Fatimid Imāms == | ||
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The Fatimids, Fatimid Caliphate or al-Fātimiyyūn (Arabic الفاطميون) is the Shia dynasty that ruled much of North Africa from AD 5 January 910 to 1171. The term Fatimite is sometimes used to refer to the citizens of this caliphate. They belonged to the Ismaili branch of Shi'ism.
The Fatimid Rise
The Fatimids had their origins in what is now modern Tunisia ("Ifriqiya"), but after their success in commandeering rule over Egypt around 970 C.E., they relocated to a new capital, Cairo. By this time, the Abbasid caliphate, ruling from Baghdad, had lost effective control over what was becoming a decentralized Islamic empire.
Under the Fatimids, Egypt became the center of an empire that included North Africa, Sicily, Palestine, Syria, the Red Sea coast of Africa, Yemen and the Hejaz. Under the Fatimids, Egypt flourished and developed an extensive trade network in both the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean, which eventually determined the economic course of Egypt during the High Middle Ages.
The dynasty and its followers belonged to the Shīˤite branch of Islam and in particular, to a sect of Shi'ism called the Ismā'īliyya. The dynasty was founded in 909 by ˤAbdullāh al-Mahdī Billa, who claimed legitimacy through asserting his descent from the Prophet by way of the Prophet's daughter Fātima as-Zahra and her husband ˤAlī ibn-Abī-Tālib, the first Shīˤa Imām, hence the name al-Fātimiyyūn "Fatimid".
Abdullāh al-Mahdi's control soon extended over all of central Maghreb, an area consisting of the modern countries of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya, which he ruled from Mahdia, his newly-built capital in Tunisia.
The Fatimids entered Egypt in 972, conquering the Ikhshidid dynasty and founding a new capital at al-Qāhirat "The Subduer" (modern Cairo).They continued to extend their control over the surrounding areas until they ruled a span of territory from Tunisia to Syria and their influence even crossed over into Sicily and southern Italy.
Unlike other governments in the area, Fatimid advancement in state offices was based more on merit than on heredity. Members of other branches of Islām, like the Sunnis, were just as likely to be appointed to government posts as Shiites. In fact, the Fatimids ruled over a majority Sunni population in Cairo. Tolerance was extended further to non-Muslims such as Christians and Jews, who occupied high levels in government based on expertise(although exceptions to this general attitude of tolerance include one significant aberration, the eccentric Fatimid known as the "Mad Caliph" Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah).
Decay and Fall
In the 1040s, the Zirids (governors of North Africa under the Fatimids) declared their independence from the Fatimids and their conversion to "orthodox" Sunnī Islām, which led to the devastating Banū Hilal invasions. After about 1070, Fatimid authority over the Levant coast and parts of Syria was challenged first by Turkic invasions, then by the Crusades, so that Fatimid territory shrunk until eventually, it consisted only of Egypt.
After the decay of the Fatimid political system in the 1160s, the Zengid ruler Nūr ad-Dīn had his general, Saladin, seized Egypt in 1169, forming the Sunni Ayyubid Dynasty.
Fatimid Imāms
The word "Imām" as used in Shīˤa Islām means a hereditary leader of the Muslim community in the direct line of ˤAlī ibn-Abī-Tālib.
- Abū Muḥammad ˤAbdu l-Lāh (ˤUbaydu l-Lāh) al-Mahdī bi'llāh (910-934) founder Fatimid dynasty
- Abū l-Qāsim Muḥammad al-Qā'im bi-Amr Allāh (934-946)
- Abū Ṭāhir Ismā'il al-Manṣūr bi-llāh (946-953)
- Abū Tamīm Ma'add al-Mu'izz li-Dīn Allāh}} (953-975) Egypt is conquered during his reign
- Abū Manṣūr Nizār al-'Azīz bi-llāh (975-996)
- Abū 'Alī al-Manṣūr al-Ḥākim bi-Amr Allāh (996-1021)
- Abū'l-Ḥasan 'Alī al-Ẓāhir li-I'zāz Dīn Allāh (1021-1036)
- Abū Tamīm Ma'add al-Mustanṣir bi-llāh (1036-1094)
- al-Musta'lī bi-llāh (1094-1101) Quarrels over his succession led to the Nizari split.
- al-Āmir bi-Aḥkām Allāh (1101-1130) The Fatimid rulers of Egypt after him are not recognized as Imams by Mustaali Taiyabi Ismailis.
- 'Abd al-Majīd al-Ḥāfiẓ (1130-1149)
- al-Ẓāfir (1149-1154)
- al-Fā'iz (1154-1160)
- al-'Āḍid (1160-1171)
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