In the previous article, we tackled the conflict between al-Musta’in whose premises was Baghdad and al-Mu’taz in Samarra. This was changed into a war that culminated in al-Musta’in’s deposition of himself, after which he was killed. Likewise, we demonstrated the state’s internal and external affairs during al-Musta’in’s tenure and the rebellions that were ignited. We also tackled al-Mu’taz’s tenure (252-255 Hijri) (866-869 A.D.) which witnessed tumult, conspiracies as well as weakness in the caliph’s power.
Additionally, we mentioned that the caliph befriended Baikbak who he assigned the state’s affairs after Bugha’s murder. He assigned him Egypt’s affairs and the choice of her proconsul. So, he chose Ahmad bin Tulun to be his deputy in 254 Hijri (868 A.D.)
Al-Mu’taz Deposed
Al-Mu’taz did not have as much power as the Turkish commanders did. The State’s treasury was void during his tenure; so much so that he could not pay his sentries, which instigated them. They were led by Salih bin Waseef. Historians assert that Salih went to al-Mu’taz, accusing his minister Ahmed bin Israel and his associates of ransacking the State’s money. “So, Ahmed bin Israel answered him harshly. When Salih’s associates were informed, they went to al-Mu’taz and pointed their swords at him.
When al-Mu’taz saw this, he left them. So, Salih took Ahmed bin Israel and al-Hassan bin Mukhallad, the scribe of Qabiha, al-Mu’taz’s mother, as well as Abu Noah bin Eissa and demanded the money from them.” Al-Mu’taz and his mother tried in vain to save Ahmed. When they demanded money from the caliph, he could not make it, especially that his mother refused to give him some money. So, they consented to depose the caliph, which was fulfilled. In fact, Saleh bin Waseef, Baikbak, and Mohammed bin Bugha entered to him, carrying their weapons, ousted him after beating him and making him stand in the sun. Then the minister of justice brought about the caliph’s deposition letter which he signed in witness of the attendees, after which he was given in to someone who tortured him to death.
Caliph Mohammed al-Muhtadi Bellah (255-256 Hijri) (869-870 A.D.)
Mohammed al-Muhtadi Bellah Harun al-Wathiq bin al-Mu’tasim became the fourteenth caliph after the deposition of al-Mu’taz. Historians maintain that al-Muhtadi was in Baghdad when al-Mu’taz was deposed. The Turks offered him the caliphate, but he refused in order to make sure from al-Mu’taz who told him, “You’re absolved from allegiance to me.” Only then, he ascended the Abbasid State’s throne.
It is said that al-Muhtadi was just and pious. Likewise, he took care of the State’s financial affairs. As for his relationship with the Turks, he tried to attenuate their despotism by spreading seditions amongst them. It is said that while Moses bin Bugha and Baikbak were fighting some rebels in Mosul, the caliph sent each individually, asking him to kill the other! When they got to know of the caliph’s intentions, they returned to Samarra to confront him, but he arrested Baikbak and had him put to death.
This was the beginning of conflict between al-Muhtadi and the Turks who started getting ready to fight him. War broke out between the two factions, ending up in the caliph’s defeat, arrest, and deposition. It is said that he died mysteriously after several days, having been caliph for eleven months and fifteen days.
As for Egypt’s affairs at that time, she was gravely impact. When al-Mu’taz became caliph, Yazid bin Abdullah was still proconsul of Egypt (242-253 Hijri) (856-867 A.D.) We spoke about his tenure which exceeded ten years and came to an end by the rebellion of Jabir bin al-Waleed in Alexandria as well as the outbreak of wars. In fact, the caliph dispatched troops led by Muzahim bin Khaqan which joined Yazid’s army. Fierce battles broke out, ending up in the rebel’s defeat. When the war ended, the caliph deposed Yazid bin Abdullah, appointing Muzahim in his stead.
Muzahim bin Khaqan (253-254 Hijri) (867-868 A.D.)
Muzahim bin Khaqan Artouj is the brother of al-Fath bin Khaqan, al-Mutawakkil’s chief minister who was killed with him. He took over Egypt’s affairs after the deposition of Yazid bin Abdullah. He was tough, which instigated Egyptians against him. He started by fighting the people of al-Houf, Lower Egypt, then those of Tarouja, Beheira, then al-Fayyum, killing many. Historians assert that, “After al-Fayyum, he started fighting the people of other villages.” Likewise, he instigated his chief of police to take severe measures against people, such as forbidding women to go out of their houses or to public baths or graveyards and prohibiting people from saying “In the Name of God…” loudly in mosques. Also, he ordered people to stand uprightly in mosques, forbidding them from using pillows.
He also forbade people from tearing their robes in grief for the dead, blackening their faces, or shaving their hair, and prohibited women from crying out. It is said that the punishment of violating either was, “putting many to death, and making others suffer to death.” He remained like this till he got sick and died in 254 Hijri (868 A.D.), having ruled Egypt for one year and ten months.
Ahmed bin Muzahim (254 Hijri) (868 A.D.)
Ahmed bin Muzahim bin Khaqan had Egypt’s affairs delegated to him during his father’s sickness. Al-Mu’taz accredited his reign after his father’s death. Yet, his tenure was not that long, for he got sick and died after about two months. Taghribirdi writes, “Ahmed was a well-informed young man, loved by his subjects. Yet, his tenure was not so long as to be praised or criticized.” Archur bin Ulug Turkhan, the Turk was appointed after him.
Archur bin Ulug Turkhan (254 Hijri) (868 A.D.)
He is a grand Abbasid prince who was born and reared in Baghdad. He won the respect of her caliphs. He came over to Egypt, and was assigned the police department affairs. Then, he became proconsul after the death of Ahmed bin Muzahim, having been assigned by Caliph al-Mu’taz. His tenure lasted for about five months and a half. Then Ahmed bin Tulun took over. Thus, the year 254 Hijri witnessed the tenure of four princes, namely, Muzahim bin Khaqan, Ahmed bin Muzahim his son, Archur bin Ulug, and Ahmed bin Tulun who founded the Tulunid State in Egypt, only to start a new story. Stories never end in Beautiful Egypt.
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
