In a previous article we tackled the issue of the ground breaking for Cairo and started building Al-Azhar Mosque. As we previously mentioned the campaign of the leader Jawhar Al-Siqilli to Jerusalem and Al-Sham in order to make it under the submission of the Fatimid rule. Jawhar Al-Siqilli ruled Egypt till the Caliphate Al-Muizz Li-Din Allah came and took over.
Jawhar Al-Siqilli became one of his great leaders until a dispute happened between them; to the extent that some historians mentioned the relations between Al-Muizz Li-Din Allah and Jawhar became the worst. We shall mention that in its time. It was mentioned that during the 2nd year of Jawhar’s rule that the Abbasid Caliph Al-Muti Li-Allah got sick and he had a slow tongue.
Al-Muizz Li-Din Allah the Fatimid (362-365 AH – 972-975 AD)
He was Abu Tamim Maad Ibn Al-Mansur Billah Al- Abidi the Fatimid entitled as Al-Muizz Li Din Allah and he took over the rule in Africa (Tunisia or Morocco) after the death of his father Al-Mansur. Ibn Khallikan mentioned: “Al-Muizz became a crown prince during the rule of Al-Mansur Ismail his father then his rule renewed again to him on Sunday 7th of the month of Zihadjeh of the year 341 AH.”
He was the 4th Fatimid Caliphs in Morocco and the 1st Caliph in Egypt. Egypt was always on the mind of Al-Muizz and that’s why he used to follow up its matters and news till he realized that his chances to conquer it and include it under his rule were within reach. He sent his leader Jawhar along with his army-as we mentioned before- and he conquered it then built Cairo. That was how things were ready for the reception of the Caliph. Al-Muizz came to Egypt and stayed in the palace that was already built for him. He took over the rule of the country. Ibn Taghribirdi mentioned: “Al-Muizz went out of Morocco in 361 AH, after he made Buluggin Caliph in Africa. Then, Al-Muizz started marching with his coffers and armies till he entered Alexandria in the month of Shaaban 362 AH… He went to Giza while his army continued to Egypt, then he entered Cairo; in which a whole Emirate was built for him. However he did not enter Egypt (Old Cairo) though they celebrated and decorated Egypt with the best decorations…”
It was mentioned that Al-Muizz went out on the following day to welcome the guests who came to congratulate him.
The rule of Al-Muizz did not last for a long time in Egypt, he only spent three years till he died in (365 AH- 975 AD). The great danger that Al-Muizz faced was the Qarmatians, as he stopped sending money that Ali Ibn Al-Ikhshid used to give to the Qarmatians. Things went worse with the leader who went to Al-Muti Li-Allah the Abbasid Caliph to claim Egypt and Al-Sham as well as to be given money and weapons to fight Al-Muizz Li- Din Allah, but the Abbasid Caliph did not accept that.
However, some historians mentioned that Izz Al-Dawla Bakhtiyar the chief minister already gave him money and weapons.
The Qarmatian took his army and marched towards Egypt where Al-Muizz faced him. The two armies engaged into battles which led to Al-Muizz’s retreat from the battle to Cairo and he tried to please the Qarmatian by giving him money. That made the Qarmatian to go back with his army to Al-Sham and died in Ramla, accordingly; the threats were calmed down.
As for the character of Al-Muizz Li-Din Allah since he was young, Hassan Ibrahim said: “Al-Muizz was a very intelligent person. And so he learnt many languages, for instance he learnt Old Italian language (Latin)…Sicilian language, Sudanese language and Berber language…” Al-Muizz was not secluded from the matters that concerned the rule of Egypt as his father Al-Mansur used to let him participate in during his reign, when he sensed that he was intelligent and of good judgment. As for his Caliphate and his rule…Stories about Beautiful Egypt never ends!
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
