Al-Khayzuran facts for kids

Al-Khayzuran bint Atta (Arabic: الخيزران بنت عطاء) (died 789) was a very powerful woman in the Abbasid Empire. She was the wife of Caliph Al-Mahdi and the mother of two future Caliphs, Al-Hadi and Harun al-Rashid. From 775 to 789, she unofficially ruled the empire alongside her husband and sons. She was known for having a huge impact on how the government was run.

Al-Khayzuran was the first woman in Islamic history to rule in practice. She was also the first Muslim woman to have gold coins made with her name on them. She became one of the most powerful women of her time. During her husband Al-Mahdi's rule, Al-Khayzuran often attended court meetings. She had great political power, and the Caliph often asked for her advice before making important decisions.

Al-Khayzuran was also the first woman to have her own government staff and court. She would listen to requests from officials and ordinary people. She could give orders and make decisions for the empire. She also became very rich through trade with other countries, separate from the government's money. While Al-Mahdi spent much of his time on hobbies, Al-Khayzuran held meetings at her home to manage the empire. Even after her husband died, she continued to be very powerful during her sons' reigns.

When Al-Mahdi died suddenly, Al-Khayzuran was in the capital city, Baghdad. She quickly took control of government affairs. She kept his death a secret for a short time. She paid the army officers' salaries to make sure they supported her son, Al-Hadi, as the new Caliph. However, Al-Hadi did not want to share power with his mother. After strong disagreements, Al-Hadi's reign ended, and Al-Khayzuran brought Harun al-Rashid to power. Unlike his brother, Harun al-Rashid did not oppose his mother. He officially gave her much power and trusted her advice.

Early Life

Al-Khayzuran was born in Jorash, a place near modern Bisha, Saudi Arabia. When she was young, she was taken from her home by a Bedouin (a desert nomad). She was then sold at a slave market near Mecca to Al-Mahdi during his religious journey. Even though it was not usually allowed for Muslims to enslave other Muslims, many sources say she was a slave. It seems this rule was sometimes not followed in those times.

Becoming Powerful

Al-Khayzuran was described as beautiful, smart, and talented. At that time, women slaves in the royal court were often taught many skills. They learned music, singing, astrology, math, and religious studies. This helped them keep their master's interest. Al-Khayzuran regularly studied fiqh, which is Islamic law, with the most learned judges.

She eventually became Al-Mahdi's favorite companion. When he became Caliph in 775, she convinced him to free her and marry her. This meant his first wife, Princess Rayta, lost her special position. Al-Khayzuran also convinced him to name her sons as heirs to the throne. This was unusual because sons of a former slave were not typically chosen as heirs. From that moment on, she was the most powerful woman in the court.

Whenever the Caliph went to court, Al-Khayzuran would go with him. She would sit behind a screen to hear the reports. She could talk directly with the Caliph for hours, and he almost always followed her suggestions. She often asked him to forgive enemies or change death sentences. People she recommended were often favored and promoted by the Caliph.

Influence in the Empire

Al-Khayzuran worked closely with the Barmakids, a powerful family at court. During her husband's rule, Al-Khayzuran gained an unusual amount of power for a woman. She discussed and helped decide all military and state matters. She was not kept hidden away in the harem. Al-Mahdi allowed her to hold meetings with generals, politicians, and officials in her own rooms. She mixed with men and discussed important state affairs. She could give orders and make decisions as she wished.

Her palace was guarded by soldiers, just like the Caliph's palace. Her lands spread far outside the capital city. She owned many slaves and had many female helpers. Her yearly income was a huge amount, about one-third of the empire's total income. This amount doubled during the rule of her sons, Caliphs Al-Hadi and Harun al-Rashid. It then made up more than half of the empire's income. She lived a very luxurious life.

Al-Mahdi also allowed her to meet with foreign ambassadors. She could even sign official papers for the empire's management. All these actions were new and unusual for a woman at that time. They showed her very powerful position in the empire. She brought her mother, two sisters, and two brothers to court. She married her sister Salsal to Prince Ja'far. She also made her brother Ghatrif the governor of Yemen.

Al-Khayzuran and Al-Mahdi also had a daughter named Banuqa. Her father loved her so much that he dressed her as a boy. This way, he could bring her with him on his travels. When she died at age 16, her father openly showed his sadness. He even asked for public condolences, which was not typical for a daughter.

One time, Al-Khayzuran was with other royal women when a servant told her that Muznah, the widow of the last Umayyad caliph, was at the door. Muznah was very poor. Her story touched Al-Khayzuran's heart. Al-Khayzuran arranged for Muznah to be cared for. That evening, when Al-Khayzuran and Al-Mahdi had dinner, she told him what had happened. Al-Mahdi praised her kindness, and Muznah received royal support until she died.

Reign of Al-Hadi

In 785, Al-Mahdi died during a trip with his son Harun. Harun quickly returned to Baghdad to tell Al-Khayzuran. Both of her sons were away from the city. To make sure her son Al-Hadi would become the next Caliph, she called her top advisors. She ordered them to pay the army's wages to keep order. Then, she had them promise loyalty to her son as the new Caliph, even though he was not there.

Al-Khayzuran wanted to keep being involved in politics during her son Al-Hadi's rule. She continued to hold meetings in her rooms and discuss state affairs. She wanted to make decisions without asking him, just as she had done with his father.

However, Al-Hadi did not want his mother to be involved in state matters. He tried to keep her out of them. He reportedly told her, "It is not for women to get involved in matters of ruling. Focus on your prayers and your prayer beads." He did not like that his mother met with people asking for favors, politicians, officials, and generals. He thought it was not proper for her to mix with men in this way. He publicly spoke about his mother's public life. He gathered his generals and asked them:

"Who is better among us, you or me?" asked Caliph Al-Hadi. "Of course, you are better, Commander of the Faithful," they replied. "And whose mother is better, mine or yours?" the Caliph continued. "Your mother is better, Commander of the Faithful." "Who among you," Al-Hadi went on, "would like men to spread news about your mother?" "No one likes his mother to be talked about," those present answered. "Then why do men go to my mother to speak to her?"

Before this time, Muslim women were not fully separated from society. But the Abbasid harem system, where women were more secluded, became common under the Abbasid Empire.

Despite his opposition, Al-Hadi could not stop his mother's great power. She refused to retire from politics and go into the harem. Their conflict became public when she spoke up for someone asking for help, Abdallah ibn Malik. She publicly demanded an answer from her son. Al-Hadi lost his temper and openly yelled at her. He said:

"Wait a moment and listen well to my words... . Whoever from my staff – my generals, my servants – comes to you with a request will have his head cut off and his property taken away. What is the meaning of all those people crowding around your door every day? Don't you have a spinning wheel to keep you busy, a Koran for praying, a home to hide in from those bothering you? Watch yourself, and be careful if you speak up for anyone at all."

After this incident, it is rumored that Al-Khayzuran may have been involved in the death of her oldest son, Al-Hadi. One reason given is that she learned he was planning to kill his brother Harun al-Rashid. Another story says he tried to poison her, but she found out after letting her dog eat from the dish he sent her.

Reign of Harun al-Rashid

Her second son, Caliph Harun al-Rashid, was very different from his brother. He did not object to his mother being involved in state affairs. Instead, he openly recognized her political skills and publicly trusted her advice. He ruled the empire with her by his side. He was proud to say that he had no reason to be ashamed of sharing his power with a woman, especially one as capable and brilliant as Al-Khayzuran.

It is hard to know exactly which decisions she influenced. However, it is clear that she helped make the policies for the Caliphate. During this time, Al-Khayzuran kept all the empire's powers and truly ruled instead of the Caliph. She also used an old and popular saying to justify her full authority over her son: "a mother's right is God's right."

Historians do not give many details about Al-Khayzuran's political achievements. But coins were made with her name on them. Palaces were named after her. The cemetery where later Abbasid rulers were buried also carries her name. All these things show her high status and her generosity to the public.

When she died in 789, her son broke the usual rules that said he should not show sorrow. Instead, he publicly showed his sadness and took part in her funeral. This attracted a lot of attention.

Legacy

Many literary historians believe that Al-Khayzuran and her strong personality greatly influenced Scheherazade. Scheherazade is the main character in the famous story collection One Thousand and One Nights. Many of these stories were inspired by Harun al-Rashid and his amazing court.

See also

In Spanish: Al-Khayzuran para niños