In a previous article we talked about Pope Abraham Ebn-Zaraa; the 62nd Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, and his successor Pope Philotheos the 63rd patriarch.
As for the rule of the Abbasid state –as we previously mentioned- (381 AH – 992 AD), during which the soldiers in Iraq revolted due to the shortage of money and the instability of its situation. So Bahaa Al-Dawla deposed At-Ṭai as well as confiscating all his money. Furthermore his cousin Abu Al-Abbas Ahmad Al-Qadir Billah ruled after him.
Al-Qadir Billah the Caliph (381-422 AH- 974-1031 AD)
He was Abu Al-Abbas Ahmad Ibn Ishaq Ibn Al-Muqtadir known as Al-Qadir Billah. He ruled after the deposition of At-Tai. Furthermore historians said that he had many good characteristics such as: deep patience, righteous, charitable besides being religious and his passion for science and scientists.
He ruled the Abbasid state for approximately 41 years and 3 months and a few days except that his long reign was characterized by the emergence of mini-states.
Hassan Khalifa the historian mentioned: “During his long reign (Al-Qadir Billah), many mini-states had emerged throughout the Abbasid state in the East and the West. Furthermore those replaced other mini-states…”
For instance: the emergence of the Najahid state that replaced the Ziyadid state which was founded by Al-Muayyad Najah at first in Tihama in Yemen (412 AH- 1022 AD).
It was then that his rule was expanded in all areas around until (554 AH- 1150 AD), when it was transferred to Mahdist State.
In addition to that three other states were founded. The first state was in Diyar Rabia and its capital was Mosul moreover its founder was Husam Al-Dawla Al-Mokalid Bin Musayyib. The second one was in Diyar Bakir, its capital was Amida.
It was founded by Abu Ali Al Hasan Bin Marawan. The third one was in Egypt and its capital was in Rakka, its founder was Bakjour the governor of Damascus before Al-Aziz Billah the Fatimid. Furthermore when he was deposed from Egypt, he came to Rakka, ruled it then he was killed and it returned back under the rule of the Fatimid later on.
The Ghaznavid state
That state was founded in Ghazni in Khorasan from the direction of India, by the Turkish commander Ishaq Bin Alp-Tegin but its true founder was his successor Sabuktigin.
Bin Al-Athir mentioned: “Abu Ishaq Bin Alp-Tegin, the commander of the Ghazni army of the Samanid, didn’t appoint anyone as his successor from his family or even his relatives. So his soldiers gathered to see who is worth to rule them well, to express their opinion but they disagreed then they agreed to choose Sabuktigin for they knew his mentality, his religion and his chivalry…On the other hand he managed their affairs in a good way and always put himself in their shoes and also regarding money affairs.”
Sabuktigin became very powerful that he took over India after he conquered its king. Furthermore that news reached Al-Qadir Billah the Caliph who sent him gifts and named him Nasir Al-Dawla. Therefore he became the official ruler of the countries which were under his authority. In addition to that he founded the Ghaznavid state and ruled it for nearly twenty years; then his son Ismail was his successor for seven months until war broke out between him and his eldest brother Mahmoud, who took over the rule. Moreover Al-Qadir Billah approved his rule and named him Yemin Al-Dawla and Amin Al-Milli.
During his reign the Sabuktigin state was at its peak of glory, and he eliminated the Samanid State in Khorasan. In addition, he sent a Turkish tribe under the leadership of Seljuk to Khorasan in which they settled, and he acquired more power until the Saljuq became independent.
The Sabuktigin reign kept in the Afghan countries and what was beyond until Tag Al-Dawla Khusro, their last king ruled, (582 AH – 1187 AD).
Al-Qadir Billah died in (422 AH- 1031 AD). It was mentioned that during his rule, the power of Al-Buwayh grew weak after the occurrence of lots of conflicts and divisions between them.
He was able to retrieve some of his authorities of which he had already lost before. As for Egypt during his reign, he witnessed the rule of Al-Aziz Billah and his successor Mansur, his son, who was named Al-Hakim Bi- Amr Allah …Stories about Beautiful Egypt never end!
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
