Al-Mu'izz li-Din Allah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids al-Mu'izz Li-DiniLlahالمعز لدين الله |
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Gold dinar of Caliph al-Mu'izz, Cairo, 969.
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| Caliph of the Fatimid Dynasty | |||||
| Reign | 19 March 953– 21 December 975 | ||||
| Predecessor | al-Mansur bi-Nasr Allah | ||||
| Successor | al-Aziz Billah | ||||
| Born | 26 September 931 | ||||
| Died | 21 December 975 (aged 44) | ||||
| Issue | al-Aziz Billah | ||||
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| Dynasty | Fatimid | ||||
| Father | al-Mansur bi-Nasr Allah | ||||
| Religion | Isma'ili Shia Islam | ||||
Abu Tamim Ma'ad al-Muizz li-Din Allah (born September 26, 932 – died December 19, 975) was an important ruler in Islamic history. He was the fourth Fatimid leader, known as a Caliph, and also the 14th Ismaili imam. He ruled from 953 to 975. During his time, the Fatimid dynasty moved its main base from Ifriqiya (which is modern-day Tunisia) to Egypt. The Fatimids also founded a new city called al-Qāhirah (which means "the Victorious") in 969. This city became their new capital in Egypt and is known today as Cairo.
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Al-Mu'izz's Rule and Expansion
After the Fatimids defeated a major rebellion, they focused on expanding their rule. They wanted to establish their own caliphate across the Islamic world. This meant they aimed to take power from the Abbasids, who were the main rulers at the time.
Conquering New Lands
Even though the Fatimids were mostly interested in Egypt and the Middle East, they also had military campaigns in other areas.
- Their general, Jawhar as-Siqilli, led battles against the Berbers in what is now Morocco.
- They also fought against the Umayyads in Spain.
- Fatimid ships raided Italy, showing their strong naval power in the western Mediterranean Sea. They even captured Sicily for a while.
Moving the Capital to Cairo
The path to Egypt became clear for the Fatimids. The ruling dynasty in Egypt, the Ikhshidids, was facing problems. The Abbasids were too weak to stop the Fatimids.
- In 969, General Jawhar conquered Egypt easily.
- After securing Egypt, al-Mu'izz moved the royal home from Al-Mansuriya to the new city of Qāhirat al-Muʻizz. This city became Cairo.
- This move shifted the main power of the Fatimid empire eastward.
- In North Africa, the Zirids were put in charge as local rulers.
- In Egypt, the Fatimids had to fight off several attacks from a group called the Carmathians between 972 and 974.
- After these challenges, they improved the country's finances under Yaqub ibn Killis.
- Al-Mu'izz's son, Al-Aziz, took over as ruler after him in 975.
Achievements and Culture
Al-Mu'izz was known for being accepting of different religions. He was well-liked by his Jewish and Christian subjects.
The First Fountain Pen
Al-Mu'izz is also famous for ordering the invention of the first fountain pen.
- In 953, he asked for a pen that would not get ink on his hands or clothes.
- He was given a pen that held ink inside it.
- A historian named Qadi al-Nu'man al-Tamimi wrote about this invention.
- Al-Mu'izz wanted a pen that could be filled with ink and used to write without needing a separate ink pot.
- He wanted it to be carried in a sleeve without leaking.
- The ink would only flow when someone intended to write. This was a very clever idea for its time!
Literature and Law
During al-Mu'izz's reign, Fatimid literature became more important.
- Talented poets like Ibn Hani al Andalusi and Ali al Tunusi emerged.
- Ibn Hani was often compared to the famous poet Al Mutanabbi.
- The official law book of the Fatimid Caliphate, called Da'a'im al-Islam, was finished during al-Mu'izz's time.
Al-Mu'izz and Coptic Christians
Coptic Christians in Egypt had a good amount of freedom under al-Mu'izz.
- Copts were appointed to high positions in the empire.
- They were allowed to practice their religion freely.
- For example, the viceroy (a high official) of Syria was Quzman ibn-Nima, a Copt who remained Christian.
- The Nayrouz festival, which is the Coptic New Year celebration, was allowed. However, some activities like fire displays and water splashing were stopped.
The Legend of Mokattam Mountain
A famous legend among Coptic Christians tells a story about al-Mu'izz and Pope Abraham of Alexandria.
- The legend says al-Mu'izz challenged Pope Abraham to move the Mokattam mountain in Cairo.
- This challenge was based on a Bible verse that talks about faith moving mountains.
- According to Coptic stories, Pope Abraham asked the Coptic community to pray for three days and nights.
- On the third night, Pope Abraham had a dream. In the dream, Mary told him to find a man named Simon the Tanner.
- The legend continues that with the prayers of the Coptic community, led by the Pope and Simon, the Mokattam mountain actually moved!
- This story is written in a book called History of the Patriarchs of Alexandria.
A Story of Conversion (Legend)
Later Coptic stories even claimed that this miracle made al-Mu'izz convert to Christianity.
- They said he was baptized at the church of Saint Mercurius in Cairo.
- There is a baptismal font there today known as the "Sultan's Baptistry."
- According to this legend, al-Mu'izz then gave up his throne to his son and lived the rest of his life in a monastery.
- However, important Muslim historians like Ahmad Zaki Pasha and Muhammad Abdullah Enan do not believe this story.
Family Life
Al-Mu'izz had several children.
- One version says he married his cousin, and they had two sons, including his successor al-Aziz.
- Other sources say his main wife, and mother of al-Aziz, was a slave-girl from Arabia named Durzan. She was nicknamed taghrīd ("twittering") because of her beautiful singing voice.
- Al-Mu'izz had other sons, but two are well-known: Tamim and Abdallah. Abdallah was supposed to be the next ruler but died before his father.
- He also had seven daughters. Three of them are known in more detail: Sitt al-Malik, Rashida, and Abda.
- Rashida and Abda lived to be very old, dying in their nineties in 1050, and left behind huge amounts of wealth.
See also
In Spanish: Ma'ad al-Mu'izz li-Dinillah para niños
