Some people say, “History repeats itself,” while others assert that, “History doesn’t repeat itself, but humans repeat their mistakes.”
In the previous article, we tackled how al-Mutawakil divided the State among his three sons in 235 Hijri (850 A.D.),thus, repeating the mistake made by his ancestor Harun al-Rashid which resulted in a conflict between al-Amin and al-Ma’mun. Yet, it was worse in al-Mutawakil’s case, as the Turks rebelled against him, became al-Muntasir’s allies, and instigated the latter against his father, which was fulfilled. We also spoke about some of Egypt’s proconsuls during that period, namely, Hartamah bin Nasr, Hatem bin Hartamah who was deposed and Ali bin Yahya, the Armenian who was appointed in his stead for a second term.
Ali bin Yahya, the Armenian (234-235 Hijri)(849-850 A.D.): Second Term
Ali bin Yahya was appointed by the Turkish commander Itakh. He resided at al-Askar. During his tenure, he was informed of commander Itakh’s arrest, and was ordered to confiscate all his money in Egypt, which he did. Moreover, al-Mutawakil assigned his son al-Muntasir Egypt’s affairs and the choice of whoever ruled her, in Itakh’s stead who ruled Egypt for four years.
Al-Muntasir reassigned Ali bin Yahya Egypt’s affairs for a little while: for he was deposed and Ishaq bin Yahya bin Mo’athe was appointed in his stead. Thus, Ali bin Yahya’s tenure lasted for one year and less than three months. During that tenure, al-Mutawakil divided the State’s affairs among his three sons, and wrote to the provinces proconsuls, telling them to order Christians and Jews to wear honey-colored clothes: that they might be discerned from Muslims. Taghribirdi writes that al-Mutawakil sent orders to the provinces proconsuls that, “Jews and Christians have to wear honey-colored clothes, and should never be allowed to wear white attire in order not to be like Muslims, and that their stirrups should be made of wood, their new churches be demolished, and that they should not be admitted to bathrooms served by Muslims and should have special bathrooms served by protégés. Moreover, they should not hire a Muslim for any job. He isolated them and assigned their affairs to a supervisor (muhtasib) who would punish them in case they didn’t obey the orders. Al-Mutawakil ordered that this be written.”
Likewise, Bin al-Athir writes, “During that year, al-Mutawakil ordered the protégés to wear honey shawls and belts, and ride wooden stirrups, make two balls at the rear end of the saddles, and two patches on their slaves’ clothes which contrast the clothes’ color, each one is two inches in length and is different in color from the other. Women should wear an unbelted honey skirt. He also ordered that their new churches be demolished, and one tenth of their houses be taken, and that their doors have pictures of devils. Additionally, he prohibited them from taking up influential posts, and prohibited Muslims from educating them. Additionally, he prevented them from showing a cross on Palm Sunday, or from being hired. Also, he ordered that their tombs should not be higher than the earth. This was written to all the provinces.”
Ishaq bin Yahya (235-236 Hijri) (850-851 A.D.)
Ishaq bin Yahya bin Mo’athe bin Muslim al-Khatly was assigned Egypt’s affairs after the deposition of Ali bin Yahya by al-Muntasir. He had already ruled Damascus for quite a while. Historians, including Taghribirdi, maintain that he was brave, just, kind, and loved poetry. It came to pass that during his tenure, he was ordered to expel the Alawite elites from Egypt and send them to Iraq, which he did. This took place after the demolition of al-Hussein’s tomb.Al-Kindi and al-Maqrizi maintain that Ishaq bin Yahya was kind to the Alawites upon ousting them from Egypt. So, he distributed money among them, giving each man thirty dinars, and each woman fifteen. He always gave them clothes. This took place in 236 Hijri (851 A.D.) Ishaq did not rule Egypt for long, as al-Muntasir deposed him after about a year, appointing Abdul Wahid Yahya in his stead.
Abdul Wahid bin Yahya (236-238 Hijri) (851-853 A.D.)
Abdul Wahid bin Yahya bin Mansur was assigned Egypt’s affairs by al-Muntasir. He was responsible for heading prayers and tax-collection. Yet, in 236 Hijri (851 A.D.), he was deposed from tax collection. In the self same year, al-Mutawakil ordered him to insult Egypt’s minister of justice Mohammed bin Abu al-Laith, who was one of the “Khawarij”, by shaving his beard, beating him, having him tour round the country on a donkey, and imprisoning him. Abdul Wahid remained in his post until he was deposed by al-Muntasir for about a year, three months and a few days. He appointed Anbasah bin Ishaq in his stead. During his tenure, Armenia rebelled against the Caliph. It is also said that a fire broke out in Askalan, damaging houses and fields and making people flee.
Anbasah bin Ishaq (238-242 Hijri) (853-857 A.D.)
Anbasah bin Ishaq bin Shammar bin Eissa was a citizen of Khorasan. Al-Muntasir assigned him Egypt’s affairs after deposing Abdul Wahid. At that time, Ahmed bin Khalid al-Sirrifini was responsible for tax collection. Historian share no opinion regarding Anbasah. Some assert that he was one of the Khawarij, while others deny it. Taghribirdi maintains that, “Anbasah pretended this, but when he took over Egypt’s affairs, he was quite just.” Bin Hazm asserts, “None of the Abbasids was like him: for he was one the most just, which is why he was accused of belonging to the Khawarij. He was the last Arab to take over Egypt’s affairs and the last prince to head prayers and sermons.” Historians maintain that in 238 Hijri (853 A.D.), with the beginning of Anbasah’s tenure, the Romans raided Damietta in about three hundred boats. Finding the city void of soldiers, they killed and robbed people. Yet, the citizens fought them back under the leadership of Abu Ja’far bin al-Akshaf and overcame them. So, they left Damietta and headed to Ashmum Tennis which they could not take, either. So, they returned to their country. What a story! Stories never end in Beautiful Egypt.
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
