Abu Yazid facts for kids

Abū Yazīd Makhlad ibn Kaydād (born around 874 – died August 19, 947) was a Berber leader. He belonged to the Ibadi branch of Islam. People often called him the Man on the Donkey because of how he traveled. He led a big rebellion against the Fatimid Caliphate in North Africa, starting in 944. This area is now Tunisia and eastern Algeria. Abu Yazid took control of the city of Kairouan for a while. However, the Fatimid ruler, Caliph al-Mansur bi-Nasr Allah, eventually defeated him.

Early Life of Abu Yazid

Abu Yazid's father, Kaydad, was a Berber trader. He came from a place called Taqyus or Tozeur. During his travels, Kaydad had a son, Abu Yazid, born around 874. He was born south of the Sahara Desert, in a place like Tadmakka or Gao. Because of his mother's background, some called him "the Black Ethiop."

Abu Yazid returned with his father to a town near Tozeur. His father died soon after. As an orphan, Abu Yazid survived by receiving help from others. When he was young, he became a schoolmaster in his local area. He was likely raised as a Kharijite, a branch of Islam. He traveled to Tahert to study Ibadi teachings. At that time, Tahert was a center for Ibadi leaders.

Abu Yazid saw the end of the Ibadi leadership in 909. A preacher named Abu Abdallah al-Shi'i and his followers overthrew the local rulers. They then brought their leader, Abdallah al-Mahdi Billah, to become the first Fatimid Caliph. On their way, they removed the Ibadi leader. Abu Yazid then went back to his hometown and continued teaching.

The Aurès Mountains were the stronghold from which Abu Yazid launched his uprising

In 928, Abu Yazid started speaking out against the Fatimids. He was arrested in 934 but managed to escape. He then went on a pilgrimage to Mecca. In 937, he secretly returned to Tozeur and continued his preaching. He was arrested again, but his former teacher, Abu Ammar, and his armed followers helped him escape from prison. Abu Yazid and his family fled to the Aurès Mountains. They found safety with the Hawwara tribe. This area was a strong center for the Nukkari branch of Ibadi Islam. The Nukkaris believed that the community leader should be chosen, not inherit the position.

The Great Rebellion Begins

Abu Yazid, his family, Abu Ammar, and twelve followers settled in a village. This village became the center of their movement. Abu Yazid traveled around, asking people to join him in a holy war against the Fatimids. Soon, many Hawwara people joined them. Abu Yazid was chosen as their leader. Abu Ammar gave up his leadership to Abu Yazid, believing he was more worthy. Abu Yazid did not call himself an "imam" (a religious leader) yet. He said an imam would be chosen once they captured the Fatimid capital, al-Mahdiya. Until then, a group would lead the movement.

Abu Yazid's movement followed old traditions in the region. These included the Ibadi belief that leadership should go to the "best Muslim." This was very different from the Fatimids, who believed their leaders should be from a specific family. The rebellion also echoed past revolts against rulers. Many people in the region also believed in the coming of a "Mahdi," a special leader who would bring justice.

Abu Yazid himself seemed like this awaited leader. He had a mole on his shoulder, which was a sign in some traditions. He was older, wore simple clothes, and had a limp. He rode a donkey, which earned him the nickname "Man on the Donkey." This idea of a prophet riding a donkey was an old belief in the region. His enemies, the Fatimids, called him the "False Messiah."

Taking Over Ifriqiya: February–October 944

In February 944, Abu Yazid's followers came down from the mountains. They attacked forts near Baghaya to overthrow the Fatimids. The Fatimids seemed surprised by the uprising. The local governor tried to get tribal leaders to hand over Abu Yazid, but they failed. The Fatimid Caliph, al-Qa'im, sent his loyal Kutama tribes. However, Abu Yazid's small, fast groups always escaped back to the safety of the Aurès Mountains.

The first major city to surrender was Tébessa. Then came Marmajanna, where Abu Yazid received his famous donkey. After Sbiba surrendered, the rebels defeated a Kutama army near Dougga and took that city. On August 7, 944, al-Aribus, a key city, surrendered. Its people were promised safety, but Fatimid officials were not included. Caliph al-Qa'im sent four armies to respond.

The rebels attacked one of these armies, led by Bushra. At first, the Fatimids were winning. But Abu Yazid, unarmed and in his simple clothes, encouraged his men. They then won the battle. Béja was looted for three days. Bushra and his men retreated to Tunis, then by sea to Sousse. On October 13, Abu Yazid's forces reached Raqqada and plundered it.

In Kairouan, the Fatimid commander, Khalil al-Tamimi, waited for the main Fatimid army. But that army also hesitated. As a result, Khalil's soldiers started leaving and joining the rebels. Khalil was left with only 400 men. He could not defend the city walls. He moved to the governor's palace. When Abu Yazid's troops entered Kairouan on October 14, Khalil tried to make a deal for safety. Most of his men escaped. But Khalil and other officials were captured and taken to Abu Yazid. Abu Yazid initially wanted to spare Khalil. However, Abu Ammar said that dangerous enemies should be killed. So, Abu Yazid had Khalil executed. Abu Yazid then defeated the main Fatimid army in a surprise night attack on October 29/30. The Fatimid commander was killed, and his army fell apart. Soon after, Sousse was also looted.

The people of Kairouan, who were mostly Sunni Muslims, did not like Fatimid rule. They first supported Abu Yazid. But his Berber followers were unruly and took things, which quickly made the people dislike them. Abu Yazid himself changed his simple habits for silk clothes and fine horses. This upset his stricter followers.

Failure at al-Mahdiya: January–September 945

Abu Yazid left Abu Ammar and his son Fadl in charge of Kairouan. He then moved to capture the last Fatimid stronghold, the palace city of al-Mahdiya. Abu Yazid arrived outside the city on January 9, 945. The first attack on January 20 reached the palace wall but was pushed back. The city was then surrounded until September 16, 945.

The Fatimids faced difficulties because ships bringing supplies were captured. But Abu Yazid also had problems. Most of his men were farmers who returned to their fields. He could only truly rely on the Hawwara tribe. So, the siege was not very effective. Sometimes, Fatimid attacks found the enemy camp empty. Meanwhile, Abu Yazid faced a small revolt from a man claiming to be a prince and the Mahdi. Abu Yazid's son, Ayyub, arrested and executed the man.

The siege of al-Mahdiya ended on September 16. Arab troops from al-Aribus switched sides during a battle against a Fatimid attack. The rebel army suffered heavy losses. Abu Yazid was forced to retreat back to Kairouan.

Plots and Uprisings Against Abu Yazid: September–November 945

Abu Ammar advised Abu Yazid to return to his simple lifestyle. This helped him regain support from the Berbers. However, the people of Kairouan had turned against him. Some contacted the Fatimids, offering to hand him over. A plot to kill him was discovered. Riots also broke out because his soldiers were taking local women. Abu Yazid had to promise to stop this. He then left Kairouan. The locals then freed many women who had been taken.

Discontent against Abu Yazid spread to other parts of Ifriqiya. Sousse revolted and, with help from a Fatimid fleet, overthrew Abu Yazid's rule. Tunis, Béja, and al-Aribus followed. For months, there was heavy fighting in Tunis, which was captured and recaptured by both sides. The city was almost completely destroyed. Béja and al-Aribus suffered similar fates.

Abu Yazid's son, Ayyub, defeated a Fatimid army. Its commander was badly wounded and died. In November, Ayyub was defeated by Fatimid troops but then defeated them in turn. The Fatimid commander retreated to the Kutama Berber lands. These Berbers were the main supporters of the Fatimid government. From there, he captured fortresses, threatening Abu Yazid's rear.

Abu Yazid sought allies against the Fatimids. He sent envoys to the Spanish Umayyads. The Umayyad caliph promised to send help. However, the Umayyad fleet could only sail the next year.

Siege of Sousse and Death of al-Qa'im: January–May 946

The citadel (Kasbah) of Sousse today

By the end of 945, the war was very close. The revolt still controlled the main areas of Ifriqiya. But the Fatimids, with their navy, held onto al-Mahdiya, Sousse, and other regions. Abu Yazid marched to regain Sousse. He began a siege of the city on January 13, 946. This was the first time the rebels used siege machines.

On May 17, 946, Caliph al-Qa'im died. His son, Isma'il al-Mansur Billah, took over. To prevent the rebels from gaining an advantage, al-Mansur kept his father's death a secret. This was easy because al-Qa'im rarely left his palace. All public events were still done in al-Qa'im's name. Al-Mansur only publicly used his new title, "al-Mansur" (the Victorious), after the rebellion was put down.

The new ruler quickly showed his skill. Even before his father's death, on May 16, al-Mansur sent weapons and supplies to Sousse by sea. Days later, on May 26, he launched a coordinated attack to help the city. The Sousse defenders, with help from Kutama cavalry and troops landed by sea, broke the siege. Abu Yazid was forced to retreat inland towards Kairouan.

Battle for Kairouan: May–August 946

Abu Yazid retreated towards Kairouan. But he found that the people, tired of his Berber supporters' demands, had revolted and closed the gates against him. After freeing Abu Ammar from captivity, he set up a camp two days' march from the city. Meanwhile, al-Mansur offered a full pardon to Kairouan's leaders for their loyalty. On May 28, the caliph entered the city with his troops. He set up a fortified camp south of it. Abu Yazid attacked the camp on June 5. He was only pushed back with great difficulty, reportedly after al-Mansur himself rallied the defenders.

The two armies stayed around Kairouan for two months, fighting often. Abu Yazid tried several times to take the city gates. But al-Mansur had built smaller fortified camps to protect them. Abu Yazid tried to make the Fatimids leave by sending his son Fadl to raid areas near al-Mahdiya. Many Kutama families lived there. But al-Mansur refused to move his main army. Al-Mansur slowly built up his forces with troops from other parts of the Fatimid empire. Abu Yazid's support began to shrink. More and more followers left his camp. Only the Hawwara and Banu Kamlan Berbers remained loyal. Al-Mansur became more confident and tried to provoke a big battle, but Abu Yazid refused. Finally, on August 13, the Fatimids stormed the rebel camp. Abu Yazid's troops broke and fled.

This victory was very lucky for al-Mansur. An Umayyad fleet, sent to help Abu Yazid, turned back after hearing about the Fatimid victory at Kairouan. Meanwhile, al-Hasan al-Kalbi gathered Kutama troops and recaptured Béja and Tunis. With Abu Yazid retreating, he joined his forces with al-Mansur's army.

Al-Mansur's Pursuit: October 946 – March 947

On October 24, 946, al-Mansur left Kairouan to chase Abu Yazid. By early December, the Fatimid caliph had taken back several cities. The Fatimids were welcomed as liberators by the locals. The leader of the Zenata Berbers also submitted to them. With the Zenata lands now closed to him, Abu Yazid turned south to go around them through the desert. Al-Mansur tried to follow him. But at Biskra, he had to stop because local guides warned him that the route was too dangerous.

View of the Hodna Mountains

After crossing the desert, Abu Yazid settled in the Jabal Salat mountains. So, the Fatimid army turned back from Biskra and marched west. Abu Yazid fought them at Maqqara but was defeated on December 9, 946. He then fled to the Jabal Salat mountains. This victory allowed al-Mansur to control Msila and gain the submission of local tribes.

Soon after, Abu Yazid attacked al-Mansur's army camp near Msila but was beaten back again. Al-Mansur sent his troops into the Hodna Mountains to chase the rebel. But Abu Yazid again fled to the Jabal Salat. When Fatimid troops pursued him there in late December, he fled to the desert again. This time, al-Mansur was determined to follow him. After a very difficult eleven-day march in the desert, he had to turn back. The harsh winter also affected his army. The Fatimid caliph himself became very ill and was in bed for two weeks. On January 30, 947, the Fatimid army returned to Msila to rest. At this point, Abu Yazid was almost giving up. He thought about returning to his homeland south of the Sahara. Only the strong protests of his followers convinced him to continue.

Abu Yazid then settled in the ruined fortress of Azbih near Msila. Meanwhile, the Zenata Berbers also submitted to Fatimid rule. This cut off Abu Yazid's supply routes. On March 6, al-Mansur, with 4,000 cavalry, set out for Azbih. They found the fortress empty. But as they turned back, Abu Yazid and his men suddenly attacked the rear guard. In the battle, the Fatimid ruler won again. Abu Yazid was wounded and barely escaped. His son Yunus and over a thousand of his followers were killed.

Siege of Kiyana and Death: March–August 947

Abu Yazid fled once more to the Hodna Mountains. The Fatimid troops chased the rebel leader without stopping, even over narrow mountain paths. Abu Yazid's camp was captured and burned. But he found safety in the fortress of Kiyana. Al-Mansur did not attack him right away. Instead, he slowly took control of the surrounding mountains to cut off any support for Abu Yazid. The Fatimid ruler even ordered the building of a wooden cage for Abu Yazid.

On April 26, al-Mansur began his siege of the fortress. He used siege engines that were shipped from Ifriqiya by sea and carried over the mountains. The people inside the fortress tried many times to break the siege with attacks, but they were pushed back. In early June, nearby fortresses also held by rebels surrendered. On August 14, 947, the final attack on Kiyana began. After fierce fighting, the defense was broken around noon. The besieged retreated to a strong tower. Al-Mansur offered a pardon if they would hand over Abu Yazid, but they refused. At dawn the next day, the besieged tried to escape to safety but were defeated. Abu Ammar was killed. Abu Yazid managed to escape but fell into a deep ditch and was captured. He was badly wounded and questioned by the caliph. He died from his injuries four days later, on August 19.

Abu Yazid's son Fadl continued to resist for a while but was killed in battle in May/June 948. Two more of Abu Yazid's sons tried to continue the fight but were also soon defeated and killed.

Legacy of Abu Yazid

Abu Yazid's defeat was a very important moment for the Fatimid dynasty. As historian Michael Brett said, "in life, Abu Yazid had brought the [Fatimid] dynasty to the brink of destruction; in death he was a godsend." His defeat allowed the Fatimid dynasty to become strong again after the problems during al-Qa'im's rule. Fatimid history books called Abu Yazid the "Dajjal" (False Messiah). They saw his rebellion as a major event that their first leader, al-Mahdi, had predicted. They believed al-Mahdi had built al-Mahdiya as a safe place from this great enemy. The victory over Abu Yazid was seen as the dynasty's rebirth. On the very day Abu Yazid died, al-Mansur declared himself the imam and caliph. He publicly took his title, "al-Mansur bi-Nasr Allah," meaning "The Conqueror with the Help of God."

At the same time, Abu Yazid's rebellion was the last major stand of militant Kharijism in North Africa. After his defeat, Kharijism was limited to small groups in remote areas. These groups mostly focused on religious studies.

One scholar suggests that the Hausa culture hero Bayajidda might represent the supporters of Abu Yazid. These supporters fled North Africa after his defeat.

The various Bayajida legends in Hausa folklore describe how Bayajida, son of the king of Baghdad, came to Bornu and married the ruler's daughter. He later fled and came to Daura, fathering the founders of the seven Hausa states. The legends seem to be describing events which happened during the tenth century A.D. and Bayajida may be identical with the Ibāḍite sectary Abū Yazīd who resisted the Fāṭimids of Tunisia until he was killed by them in 947. The debris of his army may have fled across the Sahara and arrived in Bornu, then north of Lake Chad. After some time a part of this rabble which had remained unassimilated moved south-west and interbred with the indigenous inhabitants round Daura, forming the Hausa aristocracies. Different ingredients of the legends may be folk memories of events near Mecca, Berber myths of origin and perhaps Greek mythology, as well as accounting for the introduction of horses and the sinking of wells in rock by the incoming Berbers.