I would like to congratulate our Muslim brethren in Egypt and around the world on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, which was celebrated a few days ago. I also congratulate the Copts of Egypt on the Feast of the Pentecost, which the Coptic Church celebrated last Sunday. We pray to God to preserve Egypt and the Egyptians.
In a previous article, I discussed the conflicts between the Bahri Mamluks and the Mu’izzi Mamluks, which caused chaos in the country at a time when the Mongol threat to Egypt and the Levant was increasing. We also mentioned the death of Aybek at the hands of his wife Shajar al-Durr, who was subsequently killed. Following this, Sultan al-Malik al-Mansour Nur al-Din assumed power in the Egyptian lands, while Alam al-Din Sanjar al-Halabi became the Atabeg. This led to increased conflicts among the Mamluks and the spread of unrest in the country, as Ayyubid pressure on Egypt escalated. The defeat of the Salehi Mamluks at the hands of Prince Qutuz presented him an opportune moment to ascend to the throne. He deposed King al-Mansour in 657 AH (1259 AD), after he had ruled Egypt for two years, seven months, and twenty-two days.
Sultan Al-Malik Al-MuzaffarQutuz (657-758 AH) (1259-1260 AD(
He is Sultan Saif al-Din Qutuzibn Abdullah al-Mu’izzi and was given the title “Sultan al-Malik al-Muzaffar.” He took over the rule of Egypt after the dethronement of Sultan al-Mansour, at a time when the Mongol threat and their intimidation approached the Levant. A messenger from the ruler of Aleppo and the Levant, King al-Nasir Salah al-Din Yusuf, arrived in Egypt, seeking Egypt’ support in fighting the Tatars. Prince Qutuz held a council at the Sultanate’s house in the Citadel, attended by judges, jurists, and dignitaries, where they agreed to confront the Mongol threat. IbnTaghribirdi mentions: “The Sultan did not utter a word in the council, due to his lack of knowledge of matters and his young age. So, the people insisted on deposing al-Mansour and making Qutuz the Sultan, so that he could undertake this important matter. This happened a few days later, and Qutuz arrested King al-Mansour Ali and became Sultan. He rode with the insignia of kingship, sat on the throne of the Sultanate, and his rule was established.” Thus, Prince Qutuz ruled the country.
The Mongols began as a group of nomadic tribes on the Mongolian Plateau north of the Gobi Desert. These tribes were in constant warfare with their neighbors, the Tatars. The young man Temujin succeeded in uniting the people of the Eastern Asian regions north of China under his banner and ascended to the throne after being chosen as emperor by the Mongol tribes. He adopted the name Genghis Khan, meaning “Conqueror of the World.” Genghis Khan set his sights on two goals: expansion to the south at the expense of northern China, and pursuing his enemies who had fled westward towards Mongolia and China. Indeed, Genghis Khan defeated the Chinese emperor, Wai Wang, and seized the Chinese capital Beijing, as well as the Transoxiana region, and Genghis Khan’s empire expanded further.
A number of historians mention that the Abbasid Caliph al-Nasir corresponded with Genghis Khan, inviting him to attack the Khwarazmian Empire. It is mentioned: “Whatever the case, the aforementioned Abbasid Caliph wrote to Genghis Khan about crossing into the Islamic lands, offering his readiness to attack the Khwarazmian state from the west if he attacked it from the east. However, despite this message reaching the Mongols, it was not the reason for Genghis Khan’s invasion of the Khwarazmian state. By the time it arrived, Genghis Khan had already expanded his conquests westward, so his lands bordered the Khwarazmian state, and he managed to conclude a trade agreement with the Khwarazmians. Therefore, he did not pay any attention to the Caliph’s letter.”
However, relations between the Mongols and the Khwarazmians did not proceed peacefully; rather, disputes and sedition arose until war became a reality. Genghis Khan was able to gain control of the Transoxiana region and seize the capital Khwarazm in 618 AH (1221 AD).
