In the previous article we talked about a time when the Abbasid state gained its glory, whereas Al-Muqtadi Bi-Amr Allah the Abbasid Caliph ruled. Lots of qualities were mentioned about him: determination, courage, and devoutness. He ruled besides each of the Charge d’Affaires of the state the great Seljuq Sultan Malik-Shah, who was known for his courage, Justice and accurate opinion. And Nizam Al-Dawla the vizier (minister) who was said to be: “One of the greatest scientists, he was virtuous and devoted, also known for his passion for science and other relative matters” which led to the greatness of the state.
In (485 AH- 1092 AD) Nizam Al-Dawla was killed and Malik-Shah died and Al-Muqtadi the Caliph also died in (487 AH- 1094 AD). As for Egypt during that era; it was under the rule of Al-Mustansir Billah the Caliph.
Al-Mustansir Billah (427-487 AH) (1036-1094 AD)
He was the son of Az-Zahir Li-Azaz Din Illah named as Abu Tamim Maad and nicknamed as Al-Mustansir Billah; he was the fifth Fatimid Caliph. He ruled after the death of his father in (427 AH- 1036 AD), at that time he was seven years old and twenty seven days. He stayed in the Caliphate for six decades and a few months.
Al-Dhahabi mentioned: “He stayed in the Caliphate for sixty years and four months…and I never heard about someone in Islam- neither a Caliph nor a Sultan- that his rule period lasted as long as Al-Mustansir.”
However Abu Al-Muzaffar said: “No one of the Umayyad, or the Abbasid or the Egyptians Caliphs gained a long period like that…Al-Mustansir lived for sixty seven years and five months”.
Al-Mustansir witnessed the rule of both Al-Qiam Bi-Amr Allah the Abbasid Caliph and Al-Muqtadi Bi-Amr Allah.
When Al-Mustansir ruled, the minister Ali Ibn Ahmad Al-Jarjarai was his guardian and he handled the affairs of the state. After taking the pledge of allegiance from soldiers, he became the actual ruler of the state.
Some Historians mentioned that (443 AH-1051 AD), the prince Al-Muizz Ibn Badis in the West revolted against the Fatimid rule and Al-Mustansir; and he resorted to Banu Abbas.
In (451 AH-1059 AD), Al-Mustansir was being called Amir al-Mu’minin on the pulpits of Iraq after Al-Basasiri controlled it and dethroned Al-Qiam Bi Amr Allah the Abbasid Caliph – this was previously mentioned in detail in a previous article.
As Al-Dhahabi mentioned: “He (means “Al-Mustansir”), who was called Amir al-Mu’minin (the commander of the believers) on the pulpits of “Iraq” at the time of prince Abul-Ḥarith Arslan “Al-Basasiri”)
As for the period of (464-457 AH) (1065-1072 AD), which were the bitter years on all Egyptians as a serious high cost-of-living took place in Egypt and lasted for seven years. About which we find historians mentioned stories that could make one’s tremble!
Al-Dhahabi mentioned: “During the days of Al-Mustansir, Egypt witnessed a serious high cost-of-living which didn’t occur since the days of Joseph the Righteous!! And lasted for seven years until people were struggling with hunger!! It was said that a loaf of bread was sold for fifty Dinars.”
Abu Al-Muzaffar said: “the states spent seven years in which the water level of the Nile increased and decreased while there was no one to cultivate the land, due to the death of people and the disputes between governors and subjects. That led to devastation throughout the country, death of its people and all land and sea roads were cut off. Most of the high cost-of-living occurred in 462 AH.”
As for Al-Mustansir during those days; it was mentioned that he was the only one who had a mule to ride, while his servants became weak and fragile from hunger! Things went south to the extent that Al-Mustansir the Caliph borrowed a mule to ride during his transportation in (460 AH- 1068 AD).The high cost-of-living caused a lot of Egyptians to migrate to other countries.
Ibn Al-Athir mentioned: “The high cost-of-living kept increasing in Egypt to the extent that it led many people to flee out of Egypt, due to the expensiveness which exceeded the bearable level as well as a wave of hunger that never occurred before thus…”
Stories about beautiful Egypt never end!
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
