<\/p>\n
In the previous article, we resumed giving glimpses on the life of Pope Youssab I, fifty-second patriarch, thus reaching his departure in 849 A.D. Then, we spoke of Caliph Harun al-Wathiq Bellah, the ninth Abbasid Caliph, whose tenure lasted for about five years and nine months. It is said that the Turkish became quite influential in all the state\u2019s affairs. So much so that historians call the era from 232 to 334 Hijri (847-946 A.D.) the Turkish Era.<\/span><\/strong><\/span> General Bishop<\/strong><\/span> <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In the previous article, we resumed giving glimpses on the life of Pope Youssab I, fifty-second patriarch, thus reaching his departure in 849 A.D. Then, we spoke of Caliph Harun al-Wathiq Bellah, the ninth Abbasid Caliph, whose tenure lasted for about five years and nine months. It is said that the Turkish became quite influential […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58,"featured_media":19638,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[51],"tags":[8841,14114,682],"class_list":["post-48056","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles","tag-8841","tag-14114","tag-682"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/copticocc.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48056"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/copticocc.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/copticocc.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/copticocc.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/58"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/copticocc.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=48056"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/copticocc.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48056\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":48248,"href":"https:\/\/copticocc.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48056\/revisions\/48248"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/copticocc.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19638"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/copticocc.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=48056"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/copticocc.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=48056"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/copticocc.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=48056"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nThe Turkish Era<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nDuring this era, which lasted for about two centuries, the Turkish were had absolute authority in all the state\u2019s affairs. In fact, they would appoint or oust whoever they wished. Likewise, they controlled the administrative, financial, and military affairs of the state, which led the Royal family to resorts to the Turks to ascend the throne. Hence, conspiracies increased, thus, leading to the demise of the Abbasid State.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nLikewise, seditions and riots spread throughout the state. At that time, twelve caliphs reigned. The first was Ja\u2019far al-Mutawakil \u2018lallah, al-Mu\u2019tasim\u2019s son, and the last was Ibrahim al-Muttaqi lellah. Historians maintain that two of them were killed, five ousted, and the rest passed away.<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nAs for Egypt and her proconsuls during al-Wathiq\u2019s tenure, we have spoken about Ali bin Yahya, the Armenian (226-228 Hijri) (841-843 A.D.) who was the Pisin\u2019s deputy and ruled Egypt during the last years of al-Mu\u2019tasim\u2019s tenure as well as during al-Wathiq\u2019s tenure who reassigned him the country\u2019s affairs. Yet, this did not last for a long time, as al-Wathiq deposed Ali bin Yahya, appointing Eissa bin Mansur in his stead, only to rule Egypt for a second term.<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nEissa bin Mansur (228-233 Hijri) (843-847 A.D.): Second Term<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nEissa bin Mansur bin Mussa al-Rafiqi ruled Egypt for a second term after the deposition of Ali bin Yahya, the Armenian, the Pisin\u2019s deputy. He came to Egypt at the onset of 229 Hijri (843 A.D.) and resided at the princely house. Soon afterwards, the Pisin die. This was in 230 Hijri (844 A.D.) He had been appointed by al-Mu\u2019tasim proconsul of Egypt. Likewise, he was granted the privilege to appoint whoever he wished proconsul of Egypt.<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nCaliph al-Wathiq appointed the Turkish prince Itakh proconsul of Egypt, after the Pisin\u2019s death. Itakh reassigned Eissa bin Mansur the country\u2019s affairs. Thus, he became Itakh\u2019s deputy. This continued until the death of al-Wathiq in 232 Hijri (847 A.D.), to be succeeded by his brother al-Mutawakil.<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nAl-Mutawakil asked Eissa to make Egyptians pledge allegiance to him. Yet, no sooner than this had been fulfilled, than Eissa was deposed and Hartamah was appointed in his stead. Thus, Eissa bin Mansur ruled Egypt for about four years and three months and a half. Some historians maintain that he was, \u201ca good, sensible, and knowledgeable prince who ruled wisely. His was a prosperous tenure. He was appointed proconsul once by the Caliph, and another time as the Pisin\u2019s deputy.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nDuring his tenure, certain incidents took place like al-Wathiq\u2019s confiscating the money of the minister\u2019s scribes and imprisoning them, as well as his assigning Itakh Yemen\u2019s affairs (apart from Egypt\u2019s), which is why the latter sent a deputy. Likewise, many earthquakes alighted upon the Levant, leading to many people\u2019s death.<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nCaliph al-Mutawakil (232-247 Hijri) (847-861 A.D.)<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nJa\u2019far al-Mutawakil \u2018lallah is tenth Abbasid caliph. He took over the affairs of the Abbasid State after the death of his brother, al-Wathiq. Many historians assert that al-Wathiq did not make al-Mutawakil close to him during his caliphate, as he did not like him. So much so that he put al-Mutawakil under two men\u2019s surveillance and ordered them to report his actions to him.<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nYet, as al-Wathiq died without appointing anybody heir apparent, statesmen assembled, together with the Turkish leaders to see to choosing the new caliph. Having discussed the matter, some suggested appointing al-Wathiq\u2019s son caliph, but the Turkish leaders did not accept it due to his minority. So, one of them suggested Ja\u2019far, al-Mu\u2019tasim\u2019s son. In effect, they brought him and assigned him the state\u2019s affairs.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nHistorians have no common opinion regarding al-Mutawakil\u2019s character: for some praised him, while others disparaged him. Yet, they agreed that his was the era of the Abbasid state\u2019s demise, for he left her affairs for his commanders and ministers. As for those who praised him, they asserted, \u201cAll of al-Mutawakil\u2019s attributes were good, with the exception of his furious disposition. He started his caliphate by applying the Prophet\u2019s sayings (Sunnah) and alleviating the plight. He was virtuous, eloquent, and generous.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nOn the other hand, a historian maintains that, \u201cAl-Mutawakil was so cruel and unjust that historians called him \u2018Nero of the Muslims\u201d Likewise, the state\u2019s conditions worsened during his tenure: for bribery spread amongst proconsuls and employees. Yet, he put an end to the religious discrimination against Muslims which spread during his predecessors\u2019 tenures. However, he \u201cpersecuted the other sects, deprived them from civil service, chased them fiercely, and compelled them and their slaves to wear a special attire in 235 Hijri (850 A.D.) Likewise he prevented them from riding horses, and compelled them to put on their houses\u2019 facades pictures of Satan! Additionally, he prohibited them from building high-storey tombs and sending their children to Muslim\u2019s schools. Also, he ordered the demolition of the churches which were built throughout the state and prevented Muslims from educating their children side by side with those of Jews or Christians. This he publicized in all the provinces between 235 and 239 Hijri (850 and 854 A.D.)<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nThe State\u2019s Affairs<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nAl-Mutawakil appointed several ministers. In fact, two months after the start of his tenure, he had chief minister Mohammed bin Abdul Malik al-Zayyat (previously appointed by his brother al-Wathiq) arrested, along with his family, and tortured him to death. Likewise, he appointed Ahmed bin Khalid minister, then got upset with him and confiscated a lot of his money. It is also said that al-Mutawakil appointed Yahya bin Aktham minister of justice, having got upset with Ahmed bin Dawoud and his son, confiscated their property and imprisoned them until their death! What a story! Stories never end in Beautiful Egypt.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
\nHead of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n