Rafi ibn al-Layth
Rafi ibn al-Layth | |
|---|---|
| Disappeared | c. 809 Greater Khorasan |
| Nationality | Arab |
| Known for | Leading large-scale rebellion against the Abbasid Caliphate |
Rāfiʿ ibn al Layth ibn Naṣr ibn Sayyār (
Khurasani Arab noble who led a large-scale rebellion against the Abbasid Caliphate
in 806–809.
Background
He was the grandson of the last
In 796, Caliph
Rayy to inspect the situation for himself. However, when Ali came and presented himself before the Caliph, he brought with him an enormous treasure in precious objects—worth 30 million gold dinars according to one source—which he liberally distributed to the Caliph's entourage and family. As a result, Harun not only kept him in place, but even accompanied him for part of his return journey, a rare mark of honour.[3][4]
Final years
Consequently, when in 806 Rafi launched a revolt in Samarkand,[a] it spread quickly across Khurasan, finding support both among the Arabs and the Iranian natives. Rafi also secured the support of the Oghuz and Karluk Turks.[1]
Harun al-Rashid dismissed Ali and replaced him with Harthama ibn A'yan, and in 808 marched himself east to deal with the situation, but died in March 809 while at Tus.[1] After Harun's death, Rafi' chose to surrender himself to Harun's son and new governor of Khurasan, al-Ma'mun. He was pardoned, and nothing more is known of him after.[1]
See also
Footnotes
- ^ Al-Tabari does not mention any grievances against Ali ibn Isa as a reason for the revolt; rather, he attributes it to an illicit affair between Rafi and the wife of Yahya ibn al-Ash'ath ibn Yahya al-Ta'i, who went as far as renouncing Islam (and thus rendering her marriage to Yahya void) before remarrying Rafi. When Yahya complained to the Caliph, the latter ordered Ali to arrest Rafi. Rafi escaped from prison and raised a rebellion against Ali.[5]
References
- ^ a b c d Bosworth 1995, pp. 385–386.
- ^ a b Bosworth 1989, p. 259 (note 891).
- ^ Kennedy 2004, pp. 144–145.
- ^ Bosworth 1989, pp. 250–254.
- ^ Bosworth 1989, pp. 259–261.
Sources
- ISBN 978-0-88706-564-4.
- ISBN 978-90-04-09834-3.
- ISBN 978-0-88297-025-7.
- ISBN 978-0-582-40525-7.