First, this is to wish our Muslim brethren in Egypt, the Middle East, and the entire world, many happy returns on the occasion of Lesser Bairam, hoping that joy and abundance fill everybody’s hearts and peace overwhelm Egypt.
In the previous article, we tackled certain incidents in the life of Pope Youssab I, the fifty-second patriarch, including reviling, insults, injustice, and tribulations. We also spoke of his care about the Ethiopian Church which he could not visit, as well as his role in putting an end to the wars that broke out between the kings of Egypt and Ethiopia. In fact, he dispatched a messenger to the Ethiopian king, calling upon him to make peace with the Caliph, which the former complied with. He sent his son, George, to Caliph al-Mu’tasim who received him warmly and told him, “God has granted you life in order that you might come over and show obedience to me.”
George stayed at the Caliph’s for quite a while, after which he left with many presents and sentries escorting him back to his country. Thus ended the wars between both parties with Pope Youssab’s prayers and wisdom. It is said that a bishop called John had been ordained head of the Ethiopian Church by Pope Jacob, the fiftieth patriarch. While the king was preoccupied with wars, the queen instigated the people against the bishop John, enticing to banish him and ordain another in his stead! So, the bishop returned to the monastery he had belonged to in Egypt and stayed there.
Yet, his departure brought about catastrophes on Ethiopia, such as epidemics and drought. At that time, the king returned, yet was unaware of the incident. When he got to know, he sent a message to Pope Youssab, apologizing for what his subjects had done and requesting the bishop’s return as soon as possible. So, the Pope summoned bishop John, comforted him and asked him to return to Ethiopia, which he did. The king rejoiced for his return. Yet, evil people continued their attempts to expel him. Nevertheless, he resumed his work and service, and God worked miracles at his hands.
On the other hand, the Pope had always gone through tribulations ever since ordinance. This was to fulfill the prophecy of his enduring great pains. Yet, he never ceased to serve his congregation. During his papacy, the number of monks increased, and monasteries became full of grace and blessings. It is said that Pope Youssab prayed day and night, and was full of humbleness, mercy, and peace. He departed in 849, having been feverish for seven days. Pope Youssab I was contemporary to four caliphs, namely, al-Ma’mun, al-Mu’tasim, al-Wathiq, and al-Mutawakil. We already spoke of al-Ma’mun and al-Mu’tasim in previous articles.
Caliph Harun al-Wathiq Bellah (227-232 Hijri) (842-847 A.D.)
Al-Mu’tasim’s son, Abu Ja’far Harun (aka. al-Wathiq bellah) was pledged allegiance to after his father’s death to become the ninth Abbasid caliph. Historians have no common opinion regarding his character. So much so that they contradicted one another. Some historians maintain he was a despotic, weak-willed, and bad politician, supporting their argument with his stance toward scribes and proconsuls when he accused them of treason and confiscated their money which amounted to two million dinars!
One of them writes, “This proves that the state was financially ill-run. Bribery spread among employees and laborers. Ministers and proconsuls became greedy.” Other historians assert he was firm, grateful, loved literature, and was knowledgeable. Also, they say he was kind to his family, exceedingly charitable, and brave in the warfare he used to lead his troops to.
Rebellions
Al-Wathiq followed suit of his father al-Mu’tasim and uncle al-Ma’mun in dealing with religious matters. He was harshly opposed in Baghdad by Ahmed bin Nasr bin Malik bin al-Haytham al-Khoza’i who was highly endorsed by the people.
Matters worsened until rebels agreed on a certain day to demonstrate at, having decided to oust the caliph. Yet, al-Wathiq got to know about it, arrested Ahmed bin Nasr and his associates, and had them brought to him in Samarra. During the trial of bin Nasr, the caliph did not care about discussing his opposition to him. Rather, he cared about showing the difference in religious matters, urging the attendees, thus, to sentence him to death. In effect, al-Wathiq and killed him by himself.
Also, when al-Wathiq got to know that Abu Ya’coub bin Yusuf bin Yahya differed with him in creed. So, he ordered that he be imprisoned in Baghdad where he remained in jail till his death in 231 Hijri (846 A.D.) Historians maintain that, “these religious persecutions continued throughout al-Wathiq’s tenure, but were annulled during al-Mutawakil’s tenure. The latter decreed freedom of creed, for which people were grateful to him.”
Between 230 and 232 Hijri (845 and 847 A.D.), many Abbasid provinces witnessed rebellions due to robberies and assaults between Mecca and Medina by Benu Salim of “Qais Eilan”. The proconsul of Medina sent his troops to overcome them. Yet, they were defeated, and their commander killed, which strengthened the muggers. So, al-Wathiq sent commander Bugha, the Great, who fought benu Salim fiercely and overcame them. He secured whoever asked and arrested the evil and imprisoned them.
Then al-Wathiq fought benu Hilal , benu Murra, Fazzarah and other rebels until matters were settled in Syria and other Arab nations which had witnessed rebellions. At that time, prisoners tried to escape, but were resisted by the people. Then the slaves of benu Hashim killed all those prisoners.
Wars
The war between the Abbasid state and Byzantium continued incessantly, whereby each party went on imprisoning a number of the other, then they would exchange prisoners during truce. In fact, this took place during the tenure of al-Rashid and al-Wathiq.
Al-Wathiq died in 232 Hijri, having ruled for five years and nine months. Historians maintain that his death marks the end of the golden age of the Abbasid state, for the Turks’ influence started to grow. What a story! Stories never end in Beautiful Egypt.
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
