Ahmad ibn Isra'il al-Anbari facts for kids

Abu Ja'far Ahmad ibn Isra'il al-Anbari (Arabic: أبو جعفر أحمد بن إسرائيل الأنباري; born 824 or 825 – died September 8, 869) was an important government official in the Abbasid Caliphate during the mid-9th century. He served as a top advisor, known as a vizier, for Caliph al-Mu'tazz (who ruled from 866 to 869). His career ended suddenly when he was arrested by a powerful Turkish general named Salih ibn Wasif in May 869. Ahmad died four months later after being treated very harshly.

Ahmad's Early Career

Ahmad came from a Christian family, like many other officials in the Abbasid government. He started working in the government as a secretary (called a katib). He served the Abbasid caliphs in their capital city, Samarra.

Around 843-844, during the rule of Caliph al-Wathiq, Ahmad was arrested. This happened during a time when many secretaries were being arrested. He was punished with a fine and physical punishment. However, he was later set free and allowed to keep his job.

Under Caliph al-Mutawakkil, Ahmad became the main secretary for the caliph's son, al-Mu'tazz. He also helped the vizier, 'Ubaydallah ibn Yahya, manage the Department of Taxation (diwan al-kharaj). This department was in charge of collecting taxes.

Ahmad's Role in the Civil War

In 865, a big fight for power, known as the civil war, broke out. It was between two rival caliphs, al-Musta'in and al-Mu'tazz. Ahmad joined al-Musta'in when he went to Baghdad. Ahmad stayed in Baghdad while al-Mu'tazz's army surrounded the city.

As the war continued, Ahmad wanted the fighting to stop. He tried to convince the governor of Baghdad, Muhammad ibn 'Abdallah ibn Tahir, to make peace. He also wanted al-Musta'in to give up his power. Muhammad ibn 'Abdallah agreed to seek peace.

Ahmad then became a key member of the groups sent to talk about ending the war. These talks led to al-Musta'in being removed from power in January 866. As a reward for his efforts, al-Mu'tazz made Ahmad the head of the Department of the Post (diwan al-barid). This department handled mail and messages. Soon after, al-Mu'tazz promoted Ahmad to be his vizier, his top advisor.

Challenges as Vizier

Ahmad served as vizier for most of al-Mu'tazz's rule (866–869). However, his power seemed limited. During his time as vizier, the government faced a big money problem. They often could not pay the soldiers' salaries.

Ahmad also worked with the caliph to reduce the power of the senior Turkish military leaders. These leaders had been largely in charge of things in the capital since 861. In late 866, al-Mu'tazz tried to remove Wasif al-Turki and Bugha al-Sharabi, two generals who had supported al-Musta'in. But the caliph had to change his mind when the army protested. After talking with the two men, Ahmad gave them back their positions.

Despite this, al-Mu'tazz and Ahmad kept trying to weaken the military leaders. They succeeded in having Bugha killed in 868. Wasif had died the year before. This temporarily reduced the military's influence.

The End of Ahmad's Career

In the end, the Turkish commanders regained their power. This led to the downfall of Ahmad's time as vizier. On May 19, 869, a Turkish leader named Salih ibn Wasif complained to the caliph. He accused Ahmad and two other senior officials, al-Hasan ibn Makhlad and Abu Nuh 'Isa ibn Ibrahim, of mismanaging money and not paying the soldiers.

A heated argument happened between Salih and the three officials. It ended when Salih's guards came in and arrested the officials. They were taken to the general's home. Ahmad, al-Hasan, and Abu Nuh were put in prison and beaten. An order was given to take away all the belongings of the officials and their families. They were not released until they promised to pay a very large fine.

In July 869, al-Mu'tazz was removed from power. A new caliph, al-Muhtadi, took his place. Soon after, Salih ibn Wasif again seized the three officials. He ordered them to be treated harshly to get any money they might still have. Caliph al-Muhtadi did not like what Salih was doing, but he did not stop him.

On September 8, after getting religious permission to punish them severely, Salih had Ahmad and Abu Nuh brought to the public gate of the caliph's palace. There, both men were ordered to be beaten badly, receiving five hundred lashes each. After this, they were put on donkeys and paraded around the city. Both men died from their injuries during this procession.