al-Muqtadir

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
For the ruler of Zaragoza, see Ahmad al-Muqtadir.
al-Muqtadir
المقتدر بالله
Caliph of the Abbasid Caliphate
Reign13 August 908 – 28 February 929
Predecessoral-Muktafi
Successoral-Qahir
Reign2 March 929 – 31 October 932
(second period)
Born13 November 895
Baghdad, Abbasid Caliphate
Died31 October 932 (aged 36)
Baghdad, Abbasid Caliphate
Burial
Baghdad
Consort
Issue
Names
Abu'l-Fadl Ja'far ibn Ahmad al-Mu'tadid al-Muqtadir bi-Allah
DynastyAbbasid
Fatheral-Mu'tadid
MotherShaghab
ReligionSunni Islam

Abu’l-Faḍl Jaʿfar ibn Ahmad al-Muʿtaḍid (

AH), with the exception of a brief deposition in favour of al-Qahir
in 929.

He came to the throne at the age of 13, the youngest Caliph in Abbasid history, as a result of palace intrigues. His accession was soon challenged by the supporters of the older and more experienced

Thughur and Armenia
. As a result, in February 929 a palace revolt briefly replaced al-Muqtadir with his brother al-Qahir. The new regime failed to consolidate itself, however, and after a few days al-Muqtadir was restored. The commander-in-chief, Mu'nis al-Muzaffar, was by then a virtual dictator. Urged by his enemies, al-Muqtadir attempted to get rid of him in 932, but Mu'nis marched with his troops on Baghdad, and in the ensuing battle on 31 October 932 al-Muqtadir was killed.

Birth and background

The future al-Muqtadir was born on 14 November 895, as the second son of Caliph

Abbasid prince who became the Caliphate's main military commander, and de facto regent, during the rule of his brother, al-Mu'tamid (r. 870–892). Al-Muwaffaq's power relied on his close ties with the ghilmān, the foreign-born "slave-soldiers" that now provided the professional mainstay of the Abbasid army. The ghilmān were highly proficient militarily, but also very expensive, and a potential political danger, as their first priority was securing their pay; alien to the mainstream of Muslim society, the ghilmān had no compunctions about overthrowing a vizier or even a caliph to secure their aims, as demonstrated during the "Anarchy at Samarra" (861–870), when five caliphs succeeded one another.[5][6]

Caliphal authority in the provinces collapsed during the "Anarchy at Samarra", with the result that by the 870s the central government had lost effective control over most of the Caliphate outside the metropolitan region of

Tulunid domains.[13][14]

All this came at the cost of gearing the state towards war: according to the historian

tax farming in exchange for a fixed tribute, which they often failed to pay. Even the revenues of the Sawad, the rich agricultural lands of Iraq, are known to have declined considerably at the time.[16][17] Nevertheless, through stringent economy, and despite near-constant warfare, both al-Mu'tadid and al-Muktafi were able to leave a full treasury behind.[18] Thus the restored Caliphate at the time of al-Muktafi's death was less than half the size than in its heyday under Harun al-Rashid (r. 786–809), but it remained a powerful and viable state, with an army that, "though it was very expensive, was probably the most effective in the Muslim world", and an almost unchallenged legitimacy as the true successors of Muhammad.[19]

Accession and the revolt of Ibn al-Mu'tazz

In 908,

Ali ibn Isa al-Jarrah, who refused to choose, and Muhammad ibn Abdun, whose opinion has not been recorded. In the end, the vizier concurred with Ibn al-Furat, and on al-Muktafi's death Ja'far was proclaimed as heir and brought to the caliphal palace; when the testament of al-Muktafi was opened, he too had chosen his brother as his successor. A different story is reported by the Andalusi historian Arib, whereby the vizier dithered between the candidacies of Ibn al-Mu'tazz and another older Abbasid prince, Muhammad ibn al-Mu'tamid. The choice of the latter would represent a major political departure, in effect a repudiation of al-Mu'tadid's coup that had deprived the offspring of al-Mu'tamid from power, and of the officials and ghilmān that had underpinned al-Mu'tadid's regime. The vizier indeed inclined towards Muhammad, but the latter prudently chose to await al-Muktafi's death before accepting. Indeed, the Caliph recovered, and was informed that people were discussing both Ibn al-Mu'tazz and Ibn al-Mu'tamid as his possible successors. This worried al-Muktafi, who in the presence of the qāḍīs as witnesses officially nominated Ja'far as his heir, before dying.[20][21] The two stories highlight different aspects of al-Muqtadir's accession: on the one hand, a cabal of officials choosing a weak and pliable ruler, "a sinister development" that inaugurated one "of the most disastrous reigns in the whole of Abbasid history [...] a quarter of a century in which all of the work of [al-Muqtadir's] predecessors would be undone",[22] while on the other hand, the issue of dynastic succession, and especially the loyalty of al-Mu'tadid's ghilmān to his family, evidently also played an important role.[21]

Al-Muqtadir's succession was unopposed, and proceeded with the customary ceremonies. The full treasury bequeathed by al-Mu'tadid and al-Muktafi meant that the

Mu'nis al-Khazin, to defend the caliph. Al-Husayn tried the entire morning to gain entrance, but failed; and then abruptly, and without notifying his fellow conspirators, fled the city to his home of Mosul. In the meantime, the other conspirators, led by Mahmud ibn Dawud ibn al-Jarrah, had assembled in a house and proclaimed Ibn al-Mu'tazz as caliph. This had the support of some of the qāḍīs, who regarded al-Muqtadir's accession as illegal, but others were opposed, reflecting the uncertainty and indecision of the conspirators themselves. Along with Ibn Hamdan's departure, this indecision allowed al-Muqtadir's followers to regain the upper hand: Mu'nis al-Khadim led his ghilmān on boats across the Tigris to the house where Ibn al-Mu'tazz and the conspirators had gathered, and dispersed them—Arib records that Mu'nis' troops attacked the assembled supporters of Ibn al-Mu'tazz with arrows, while Miskawayh claims that they fled as soon as the troops appeared.[24]

Whatever the true events, the coup collapsed swiftly. Ali ibn al-Furat, the only one among the leading kuttāb to not have had any contact with the conspirators, was named vizier. Muhammad ibn al-Jarrah remained a fugitive and a price was placed on his head. Ibn al-Furat tried to limit retaliations and several of the prisoners were released, but many of the conspirators were executed. The troops, whose loyalty had been decisive, received another donative equal to that of the accession. The ḥājib Sawsan, however, was soon purged, as he grew arrogant and overbearing: he was arrested by Safi al-Hurami and died under house arrest a few days later.[25]

Reign

The queen-mother Shaghab and the harem

Abbasid Silver Dirham in the name of the Abbasid caliph al-Muqtadir (reign: 908–932) inscribed. Designed on the model of the coinage of the Hindu Shahis.[26][27]

Al-Muqtadir was the first underage Caliph in Muslim history,

al-Mas'udi condemned al-Muqtadir's reign as one where "those who had power were women, servants and others", while the Caliph himself "did not concern himself with State affairs", leaving his officials to govern the state. Likewise, the 13th-century chronicler Ibn al-Tiqtaqa, regarded al-Muqtadir as a "squanderer" for whom "matters concerning his reign were run by women and servants, while he was busy satisfying his pleasure".[33] Shaghab in particular is usually portrayed as a "rapacious and short-sighted schemer" by later historians.[34]

Shaghab spent most of her life confined in the harem, where she had her own parallel bureaucracy, with her own kuttāb devoted to both civil and military affairs. Her power was such that when her secretary Ahmad al-Khasibi was appointed vizier in 925 due to her own and her sister's influence, he regretted the appointment, since his post as kātib to the queen-mother was more beneficial to himself.

Zaydan, was the antithesis of Thumal: her house was used to jail several senior officials after they were dismissed, but it was a comfortable captivity, and she often provided refuge to those persecuted by their political rivals.[36][37]

Policies and events

Mansur al-Hallaj at the behest of al-Muqtadir on 26 March 922, as represented in a 17th-century Mughal
Indian painting.

The stand that had been made during the last four reigns to stay the decline of the Abbasid power at last came to an end. From al-Muqtadir's reign on, the Abbasids would decline. Yet, at the same time, many names that would become famous in the world of literature and science lived during this and the following reigns. Among the best known are:

Mansur al-Hallaj, a mystic, writer and teacher of Sufism
most famous for his self-proclaimed attainment of unity with God (which was misunderstood and disputed as divinity), his poetry, and for his execution for heresy by al-Muqtadir.

By the time of al-Muqtadir's reign, there had been war for some years between the Muslims and the Greeks in Asia, with heavy losses for the most part on the side of the Muslims, many of whom were taken prisoner. The Byzantine frontier, however, began to be threatened by Bulgarian hordes. So the Byzantine Empress Zoe Karbonopsina sent two ambassadors to Baghdad with the view of securing an armistice and arranging for the ransom of the Muslim prisoners. The embassy was graciously received and peace restored. A sum of 120,000 golden pieces was paid for the freedom of the captives. All this only added to the disorder of the city. The people, angry at the success of the "Infidels" in Asia Minor and at similar losses in Persia, complained that the Caliph cared for none of these things and, instead of seeking to restore the prestige of Islam, passed his days and nights with slave-girls and musicians. Uttering such reproaches, they threw stones at the Imam, as in the Friday service he named the Caliph in the public prayers.

Some twelve years later, al-Muqtadir was subjected to the indignity of deposition. The leading courtiers having conspired against him, he was forced to abdicate in favour of his brother al-Qahir, but, after scenes of rioting and plunder, and loss of thousands of lives, the conspirators found that they were not supported by the troops. Al-Muqtadir, who had been kept in safety, was again placed upon the throne. The state's finances fell after this event into so wretched a state that nothing was left with which to pay the city guards. Al-Muqtadir was eventually slain outside the city gate in 320 AH (932 AD).

Al-Muqtadir's long reign had brought the Abbasids to their lowest ebb. Northern Africa was lost and Egypt nearly. Mosul had thrown off its dependence and the Greeks could make raids at pleasure along the poorly protected borders. Yet in the East formal recognition of the Caliphate remained in place, even by those who virtually claimed their independence; and nearer home, the terrible

Carmathians
had been for the time put down. In Baghdad, al-Muqtadir, the mere tool of a venal court, was at the mercy of foreign guards, who, commanded for the most part by Turkish and other officers of foreign descent, were frequently breaking out into rebellion. Because of al-Muqtadir's ineffective rule, the prestige which his immediate predecessors had regained was lost, and the Abbasid throne became again the object of contempt at home and a tempting prize for attack from abroad.

Rivalry between his Court officials

Dirham of al-Muqtadir (r. 908–932)

At court,

Qarmatian threat with the sack of Basra and the destruction of the Hajj caravan returning from Mecca. All this culminated in a military coup, the deposition of Ibn al-Furat, the recall of Mu'nis, and the subsequent execution of the aged vizier and his son.[38][40][41]

This marked the apogee of Mu'nis's career: he was now in virtual control of the government and a decisive voice in the appointment of Ibn al-Furat's successors as viziers. At the same time, however, his power created a widening rift between him and the Caliph, with al-Muqtadir even plotting to assassinate his leading general in 927.

Samosata, which the Byzantines had sacked. The Byzantines managed to catch the Abbasid army by surprise and inflicted a defeat upon them, killing 400 men.[42] In the same year Mu'nis, with Hamdanid help, successfully defended Baghdad itself against a determined Qarmatian invasion.[43] The Qarmatian raids were particularly troublesome: not only did they devastate the fertile districts of the Sawad—the government's chief source of revenue—but also diminished the prestige of the Caliph and the dynasty, especially after the Qarmatians sacked Mecca in 930 and carried off the Black Stone, precipitating the power struggle in Baghdad between Mu'nis and the court faction.[43]

Unsuccessful coup against him

In 928, following the dismissal of his favourite, Ali ibn Isa, from the vizierate,[43] Mu'nis launched a coup and deposed al-Muqtadir and installed his half-brother al-Qahir in his place, but reneged after a few days. Mu'nis now possessed virtually dictatorial authority over the Abbasid government.[38][41]

Assassination and succession

In 931, al-Muqtadir rallied enough support to force him to leave Baghdad, but in 932, after gathering troops, Mu'nis marched onto Baghdad and defeated the caliphal army before the city walls, with al-Muqtadir falling in the field.[38][41] Triumphant, Mu'nis now installed al-Qahir as caliph, but the two quickly became estranged. The new caliph resumed contacts with the defeated court faction, and found himself soon under confinement in his palace. Nevertheless, in August 933 al-Qahir managed to lure Mu'nis and his main lieutenants to the palace, where they were executed.[38][44]

Family

Al-Muqtadir's only wife was Hurra. She was the daughter of Commander-in-Chief,[45][46] Badr al-Mut'adidi.[47] He was generous towards her. After his death, she remarried a man of lower status.[47] Al-Muqtadir had numerous concubines. One of his concubines was Zalum. She was a Greek,[48][49] and the mother of al-Muqtadir's eldest son, the future caliph al-Radi[50] and Prince Harun.[45][46] Another concubine was Dimna. She was the mother of Prince Ishaq, and the grandmother of the future caliph al-Qadir.[45][46] Another concubine was Khalub also known as Zuhra.[51] She was a Greek,[52] and was the mother of the future caliph al-Muttaqi.[45][46] Another concubine was Mash'ala. She was a Slavic,[53][54] and the mother of the future caliph al-Muti'.[45][46] Another concubine was Khamrah. She was the mother of Prince Isa, and is described as having been very charitable to the poor and the needy.[55] She died on 3 July 988, and was buried in Rusafah Cemetery.[56] Another concubine was the mother of Prince Ibrahim. Another concubine was the mother of a son, born in 909. She was buried in Rusafah Cemetery.[55] Al-Muqtadir had two daughters. One died in 911, and was buried beside the grave of her grandfather caliph al-Mu'tadid in the Dar of Muhammad bin Abdullah bin Tahir. The second died in 917, and was buried in Rusafah Cemetery.[57]

Children

The children of al-Muqtadir are:

  • al-Radi was born on 20 December 909, to the caliph al-Muqtadir (r. 908–932) and a Greek slave concubine named Zalum.[48][49] He was nominated Heir by his father.
  • al-Muttaqi, also known as Abu Ishaq Ibrahim.
  • al-Muti', was born in 913/14 as al-Fadl, a son of Caliph al-Muqtadir and a Slavic concubine, Mash'ala.[53][54]
  • Harun ibn al-Muqtadir, was the younger son of al-Muqtadir and Zalum.
  • Ishaq ibn al-Muqtadir, He was one of the younger son of al-Muqtadir. He died in March 988.
  • Isa ibn al-Muqtadir
  • Ibrahim ibn al-Muqtadir, youngest son of al-Muqtadir.

See also

  • Ahmad ibn Fadlan, Arab Muslim traveler who wrote an account of al-Muqtadir's embassy to the king of the Volga Bulgars.

References

  1. ^ Sourdel 1978, p. 378.
  2. ^ Bowen 1928, p. 88.
  3. ^ Massignon 1994, p. 182.
  4. ^ Zetterstéen & Bosworth 1993a, p. 541.
  5. ^ Kennedy 2013, pp. 14–15.
  6. ^ Bonner 2010, pp. 323–324.
  7. ^ Bonner 2010, pp. 313–327.
  8. ^ Bonner 2010, pp. 316, 323–324.
  9. ^ Bonner 2010, p. 332.
  10. ^ Bowen 1928, pp. 25, 27.
  11. ^ Bonner 2010, pp. 332, 335–337.
  12. ^ Kennedy 2004, pp. 181–184.
  13. ^ Bonner 2010, pp. 337–339.
  14. ^ Kennedy 2004, pp. 184–185.
  15. ^ Kennedy 2001, p. 156.
  16. ^ Kennedy 2004, p. 187.
  17. ^ Mottahedeh 1975, pp. 79–80, 87.
  18. ^ Bowen 1928, pp. 26, 59–60.
  19. ^ Kennedy 2013, p. 16.
  20. ^ Kennedy 2013, pp. 17–21.
  21. ^ a b Osti 2013, p. 54.
  22. ^ Kennedy 2004, pp. 185–186.
  23. ^ Kennedy 2013, pp. 21–22.
  24. ^ Kennedy 2013, pp. 22–23.
  25. ^ Kennedy 2013, pp. 23–24.
  26. ISBN 978-0-691-18074-8
    .
  27. JSTOR 42663246
    .
  28. ^ Osti 2013, p. 53.
  29. ^ Osti 2013, p. 56.
  30. ^ El Cheikh 2013, p. 168.
  31. ^ El Cheikh 2013, pp. 168–169.
  32. ^ Osti 2013, p. 52.
  33. ^ Osti 2013, pp. 50–51.
  34. ^ Osti 2013, p. 59.
  35. ^ El Cheikh 2013, pp. 169–170.
  36. ^ Kennedy 2006, pp. 192–193.
  37. ^ El Cheikh 2013, pp. 174–178.
  38. ^ a b c d e f Bowen 1993, p. 575.
  39. ^ Bonner 2010, p. 350.
  40. ^ Kennedy 2004, pp. 191–192.
  41. ^ a b c Bonner 2010, p. 351.
  42. ^ PmbZ, Mu’nis al-Muẓaffar (#25449).
  43. ^ a b c Kennedy 2004, p. 192.
  44. ^ Kennedy 2004, pp. 192–193.
  45. ^
    ISBN 978-0-691-01919-2
    .
  46. ^ a b c d e Massignon, L.; Mason, H. (2019). The Passion of Al-Hallaj, Mystic and Martyr of Islam, Volume 1: The Life of Al-Hallaj. Online access with JISC subscription agreement: ACLS Humanities E-Books. Princeton University Press. p. 394.
  47. ^ a b Brubaker & Tougher 2016, p. 331.
  48. ^ a b Zetterstéen 1995, p. 368.
  49. ^ a b Özaydın 2007, p. 489.
  50. ^ Brubaker & Tougher 2016, pp. 331–32.
  51. ISBN 978-9987-9022-4-8
    .
  52. ^ الدكتور, عبد القادر بوباية ،الأستاذ (2009). الاكتفاء في اخبار الخلفاء 1-2 ج2. Dar Al Kotob Al Ilmiyah دار الكتب العلمية. p. 453.
  53. ^ a b Zetterstéen & Bosworth 1993b, p. 799.
  54. ^ a b Güner 2006, p. 401.
  55. ^ a b Brubaker & Tougher 2016, p. 332.
  56. ISBN 978-1-4798-6679-3
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  57. ^ Brubaker & Tougher 2016, p. 337.

Sources

al-Muqtadir
Born: 895 Died: 31 October 932
Sunni Islam titles
Preceded by
Abd-ar-Rahman III of Córdoba
in 929 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Caliph of the Abbasid Caliphate
929 – 31 October 932 		Succeeded by
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