In the previous article, we tackled the second and third ruling periods of Takin Ibn Abdullah al Harbi, between which came the ruling period of “Abu Qabous Mahmoud Ibn Jamal” which lasted for three days! For a third time, Takin was ousted after four days, then we tackled Hilal Ibn Badr’s rule which was an arena of great turmoil in the country, that some of the people and soldiers agreed to fight and kill him, thus a war was raged inside the country, lasted for a long time, causing Egypt’s conditions to worse, killing, loot and corruption to increase, as well as the crimes of banditry. Yet, Hilal was unable to prevent such incidents or to fix them, Ibn Al Taghri said: “Ibn Bilal was weaker than fixing Egypt’s conditions, as whenever he controlled something that broke out, another issue would happen suddenly!” Caliph Al Muqtadir ousted him after ruling for two years and a few days, which were described by historians as the most evil days, full of wars and sedition! Succeeding him in Egypt’s rule was Ahmed Ibn Kayghalagh.
Ahmed Ibn Kayghalagh (311 AH) (923 AD)
After the removal of Hilal Ibn Badr, Caliph al Muqtadir appointed Ahmed Ibn Kayghalagh over Egypt’s rule, Ibn Kayghalagh sent his son “Al Abbas” to Egypt first, then he followed, accompanied by Muhammad Ibn al Hussain who was in charge of taxes. Both summoned the soldiers and gave them money, yet they killed many men at Moniyat Al- Asbagh (Hada’ek Al Qoba currently) where a war was raged beforehand. Soldiers staged a revolution against both of them, urging the ruler to flee to Faqos, while Muhammad Ibn al Hussain attempted to flee to the Levant, yet he was arrested by the soldiers and taken to Al Fustat. Ibn Kayghalagh remained an escapee at Faqos until the Caliph excluded him after ruling for seven months, restoring Takin to the rule for the fourth time.
Takin Ibn Abdullah (311 – 321 AH) (923 – 933 AD) – The Fourth Period
Takin sent a successor in Egypt’s rule in 311 AH (923 AD) until he arrived there in 312 AH (924 AD), as the country was in great turmoil and he managed to settle everything down. However, Al Kindy states that he “overthrew many infantry soldiers whom were appointed by Hilal ibn Badr, as they were makers of riot, loot and evil, acquitting who resided in Al Fustat among them. Thus, people came to Takin, thanking him for this act.” Although these soldiers agreed to fight and kill Takin, and he got prepared to fight them, yet the war was never raged. Takin was concerned about fixing Egypt and improving its conditions in order to sustain his rule. After the death of Caliph Al Muqtadir, Caliph Al Qaher took over the Caliphate, he established Takin’s rule, so he ruled until his death in 321 AH (933 AD) after staying in rule for nine years, two months and few days, Ibn al Taghri said about him: “He was a rational brave knowledgeable well managing prince; he was assigned over the great works… He maintained a good policy, wisdom and knowledge of wars.”
Aby Mansour Mohammad al Qaher (320 – 322 AH) (932 – 933 AD)
He was appointed over the Caliphate after the murder of his brother “Al Mu’tadid”. Mo’nis Al Khadem, the minister of Caliph Al Muqtadir, preferred the son of Al Muqtadir to rule, yet the senior statesmen and officials agreed to choose a capable person to manage the country affairs on his own; so they agreed by consensus on choosing Al Qaher. So, people pledged allegiance to him and he became the Caliph amid settled atmosphere. However, the ruling affairs got worsened in his age, as he was concerned with chasing Al Muqtadir’s men, historians state: “Al Qaher chased the men of Al Muqtadir fiercely, confiscated their properties, dealt the mother, the wives and household of Al Muqtadir in a cruel manner, and looted their money and possessions…” Al Khudri mentions: “Throughout history, nothing is compared to Al Qaher’s acts in being depraved, abject, mean and inferior”… And stories about Beautiful Egypt never end!
The General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
