We previously talked about Al-Qadir Billah the Caliph who ruled the Abbasid state for nearly four decades. His reign was characterized by the emergence of mini-states in various countries. Nevertheless he was able to retrieve back few of the authorities of the Caliphs which were lost through the previous ages. During his reign; Egypt witnessed the rule of each of Al-Aziz Billah and his son Abu Ali Mansur (his successor) known as Al-Hakim Bi-Amr Allah.
Al-Hakim Bi-Amr Allah (386-411 AH- 996-1021 AD)
He was the third Fatimid Caliph in Egypt and the Sixth in the series of the Fatimid Caliphs. His name was Abu Ali Mansur known as Al-Hakim Bi-Amr Allah. He was considered the first Caliph born in Egypt. Furthermore he was the successor of his father Al-Aziz Billah in (383 AH- 993 AD).
He became a caliph after his death (386 AH-996 AD), but historians varied about his age at that time.
Some people said that he got over 10-year-old with a few months. While others mentioned that he was eleven years old and a half, others disagreed completely. Furthermore historians described his reign as very intense as he disputed with the rulers of the Abbasid state. Whereas the Abbasid Caliphate issued a decree in (1011 AD), to declare his non-affiliation to the dynasty of Ali Bin Abi-Taleb the Caliphate besides his long conflict with the Qarmatians.
The character and the rule of Al-Hakim Bi-Amr Allah were considered one of the most controversial points and also a huge mystery to writers and historians throughout history.
His early reign
He took the Caliphate while he was very young, which provoked the greed of others for taking control in Egypt. Thus Al-Hassan Ibn Ammar the governor, one of the elders of Ktama was obligated to hand the state affairs over to him to become the decision maker and the head of the authority in managing its affairs as he was nicknamed Amin Al-Dawla.
Bin Al-Athir mentioned that Al-Aziz Billah handed the rule over to his son, and then he recommended his butler Argwan (or Barjwan) to manage the state as Al-Hakim Bi-Amr Allah was still too young.
And so he did as told exactly after the death of Al-Aziz, he pledged allegiance to Al-Hakim Bi-Amr Allah on the same day, in addition to all people who also pledged allegiance to him.
Bin Al-Athir continued: “Al-Hassan Ibn Ammar one of the elders of Ktama and its master, came forward and ruled his state after taking it over. He was named Amin Al-Dawla…moreover his most trustworthy people (people whom he trusted) suggested to kill the governor, as they said that they do not need someone who treated them as slaves (enslave them and ask for their obedience). But eventually he didn’t do that as a sort of despise and belittle to his age…”
That was how Al-Hakim Bi-Amr Allah became under control of the guardians, both of Argwan and Al-Hassan Ibn Ammar until dispute arose severely between them and ended up by the victory of the first and the escape of the second.
His actual rule
The actual rule in Egypt was for Argwan until Al-Hakim Bi-Amr Allah reached fifteen years old. He killed all his guardians, to rule solely to start his actual rule of the state. His Era extended for nearly quarter-century and witnessed bloodshed. It was mentioned that the number of people killed by his orders were approximately eighteen thousands!!
Bin Al-Athir mentioned: “Argwan advised the governor and he exaggerated. He served him and became a huge burden on the governor. So he killed him in 389 AH…then the governor appointed Al-Hussein Bin Jawhar instead of Argwan. Moreover he named him as the general commander. After that he killed Al-Hussein Ibn Ammar previously mentioned as well as Al-Hussein Bin Jawhar. He kept appointing and killing one minister after the other!!”
Moreover Al-Hafez Abu-Abdulla Al-Dahabi mentioned: “He was an assassin as he killed a huge number of his state elders randomly.”
Furthermore the scholar Abu Al-Muzaffar Ibn Qazawgli mentioned: “He killed countless scientists, writers and honored people.”
As for his rule, it was… Stories about Beautiful Egypt never end!
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
