Al-Hakim I facts for kids

Al-Hakim I (whose full name was Abu al-'Abbas Ahmad ibn Abi 'Ali al-Hasan ibn Abu Bakr) was an important leader in history. He was the second Abbasid caliph based in Cairo. A caliph was like a religious and political leader. Al-Hakim I served under the powerful Mamluk Sultanate. He ruled for a long time, from 1262 to 1302.

Al-Hakim's Journey to Power

Al-Hakim I became the Caliph of Cairo in 1262. He claimed to be a descendant of an earlier Abbasid caliph named al-Mustarshid. This connection was very old and hard to prove.

Escaping the Mongols

In 1258, a big event happened: the city of Baghdad was attacked by the Mongols. Al-Hakim I managed to escape this attack. He fled to Damascus. There, he met a tribal chief who tried to help him become caliph.

Becoming Caliph

During the Mongol invasion of Syria, things were very confusing. Al-Hakim I ended up in Aleppo, where he was first announced as caliph. However, another person, Abu'l-Qasim Ahmad al-Mustansir, was proclaimed caliph in Cairo in 1261. This person was believed to be a closer relative to the last Abbasid caliph.

Al-Hakim I joined Ahmad al-Mustansir's plan to invade Iraq. He even accepted Ahmad as the caliph. But sadly, Ahmad al-Mustansir and most of his army were killed by the Mongols near Hīt in Iraq.

Only about fifty soldiers, including Al-Hakim I, managed to escape. He made his way back to Cairo. After a careful check of his family claims, he was officially named caliph in 1262. He took over from al-Mustansir.

Life as Caliph

Al-Hakim I's family connection to the Abbasids was distant. It is still not clear if he was truly from that famous family. But no matter what, he became the leader. He didn't have any more big adventures or battles.

His main job was to provide a religious and ceremonial role for the Mamluk sultans in Cairo. He reigned for 39 years. He became the ancestor of all the caliphs who came after him in Cairo.

For a long time, the Mamluk sultans kept him almost like a prisoner. He lived in the citadel, a strong fortress. But in December 1296, Sultan Lajin set him free. Al-Hakim I was allowed to live in a house in the city. He also received more money to live comfortably.