Al-Malik al-Rahim facts for kids

Abu Nasr Khusrau Firuz (Persian: ابونصر خسرو فیروز) was a powerful ruler from the Buyid dynasty. He was also known by his special title, or laqab, Al-Malik al-Rahim (Arabic: الملک الرحیم), which means "the merciful king." He was the last major Buyid ruler, or amir, of Iraq. He ruled from October 1048 to 1055. Al-Malik al-Rahim was the son of another ruler named Abu Kalijar. He passed away in 1058 or 1059.

Map of the Iraq region between the 9th and 11th centuries.

Ruling as King

When his father died, Al-Malik al-Rahim became the ruler in Baghdad. He took the title "al-Malik al-Rahim." However, his brother, Abu Mansur Fulad Sutun, took control of another important region called Fars. This meant Al-Malik al-Rahim could not rule the entire Buyid Empire.

Early Challenges

Al-Malik al-Rahim and his brother Abu Mansur then began to fight for control. During this time, Al-Malik al-Rahim chose Ala al-Din Abu'l-Ghana'im Sa'd to be his vizier. A vizier was like a chief minister or advisor.

In 1049, Al-Malik al-Rahim sent his brother Abu Sa'd Khusrau Shah with an army. This army successfully captured Shiraz, a key city, and even captured Abu Mansur.

However, Abu Sa'd Khusrau had to return to Iraq soon after. There was growing tension between the Turkic and Dailamite soldiers. Around the same time, the Buyid lands in Oman were lost forever.

Abu Mansur then became the ruler of Fars again. He even took parts of Ahvaz from Al-Malik al-Rahim. But Al-Malik al-Rahim fought back. He managed to get Ahvaz back and also captured another town called Askar Mukram.

The next year, armies of Arab and Kurdish tribes attacked Ahvaz. They caused a lot of damage. But Al-Malik al-Rahim was able to push them away.

Losing Fars

In 1051 or 1052, Al-Malik al-Rahim defeated Abu Mansur again. He took control of Fars and made Abu Sa'd Khusrau Shah its governor.

But Shiraz was lost again in 1053 or 1054. This happened when Abu Mansur returned. He was now working for the Seljuk ruler Toghrül.

In 1055, a Dailamite military leader named Fuladh captured Shiraz. He forced Abu Mansur to leave Fars. Fuladh then made a deal with Al-Malik al-Rahim. He agreed to accept Al-Malik al-Rahim's authority.

However, Al-Malik al-Rahim and Abu Sa'd Khusrau Shah did not trust Fuladh. So, they teamed up with Abu Mansur. Together, they took Shiraz back from Fuladh. Abu Mansur then agreed to accept Al-Malik al-Rahim's rule once more.

Seljuk Control

Soon after, the Seljuk ruler Toghrül decided to take over the Buyid state in Iraq. On December 17, 1055, Toghrül arrived in Baghdad. He said he was a pilgrim on his way to Mecca. He also announced that he would fight the Fatimids after his return.

The Abbasid caliph, who was the religious leader, preferred the weaker Buyids. But he now saw the Seljuks were much stronger. So, he announced that Toghrül's name should be mentioned before Al-Malik al-Rahim's name. This happened during the Friday sermons. This meant Al-Malik al-Rahim became a ruler under the Seljuks.

Just a week later, people in Baghdad started complaining. Seljuk soldiers were looting the city. They asked Al-Malik al-Rahim to make the soldiers leave. Toghrül then called Al-Malik al-Rahim to his camp to talk.

When Al-Malik al-Rahim arrived, he was accused of fighting back against the Seljuk troops. He was then arrested, even though the caliph protested. Al-Malik al-Rahim was the very last Buyid ruler of Iraq. He died as a prisoner in Ray in 1058 or 1059.

See Also

• Buyid dynasty
• Seljuk Empire