al-Muktafi facts for kids

al-Muktafi
Caliph Commander of the Faithful
Gold dinar of al-Muktafi, minted at Baghdad in 904/5
17th Caliph of the Abbasid Caliphate
Reign	5 April 902 – 13 August 908
Predecessor	al-Mu'tadid
Successor	al-Muqtadir
Born	c. 877/8 Abbasid Caliphate
Died	13 August 908 (aged 31) Baghdad, Abbasid Caliphate
Burial	Baghdad
Consort	Bint Khumarawayh Ghusn
Issue	Abdallah al-Mustakfi Abu Ahmad Muhammad Abbas Abu al-Fadl Al-Hassan Asma Amat al-Wahid
Full name Abu Muhammad Ali al-Muktafi bi-llah ibn Ahmad al-Mu'tadid
Dynasty	Abbasid
Father	al-Mu'tadid
Mother	Jijak
Religion	Sunni Islam

Abū Muḥammad ʿAlī ibn Aḥmad (Arabic: أبو محمد علي بن أحمد; 877/78 – 13 August 908), known as al-Muktafī bi-llāh (Arabic: المكتفي بالله, lit. 'Content with God Alone'), was the caliph of the Abbasid Caliphate from 902 to 908. A caliph was a leader of the Islamic world. Al-Muktafi was different from his father, who was very focused on the military.

Al-Muktafi continued many of his father's policies. However, his top officials, called viziers, handled most of the daily government work. During his rule, a group called the Qarmatians was defeated in the Syrian Desert. Also, Egypt and parts of Syria were brought back under Abbasid control. These areas had been ruled by the Tulunid dynasty.

The war with the Byzantine Empire continued, with both sides winning battles. A big victory for the Arabs was the Sack of Thessalonica in 904. When al-Muktafi died in 908, his younger brother, al-Muqtadir, became caliph. This marked the start of a period where the caliphs became less powerful.

Who Was Al-Muktafi?

Ali ibn Ahmad was born around 877 or 878. His father was Ahmad ibn Talha, who later became Caliph al-Mu'tadid (ruled 892–902). His mother was a Turkish woman named Čiček, also known as Jijak. He was the first caliph to be named after Caliph Ali.

When Ali was born, the Abbasid Caliphate was recovering from a civil war. This war, called the "Anarchy at Samarra", lasted for ten years. It started after Caliph al-Mutawakkil was killed in 861. During this time, the central government lost control over many areas.

For example, Ahmad ibn Tulun took control of Egypt and parts of Syria. In the east, the Saffarids took over Khurasan. Many parts of the Arabian peninsula were also lost. In Iraq, a rebellion by enslaved people threatened Baghdad itself. It took many years for his grandfather, al-Muwaffaq, and father, al-Mu'tadid, to stop this rebellion in 893.

After becoming caliph, al-Mu'tadid worked to bring back control to the empire. He restored Abbasid authority in areas like Jazira and northern Syria. He also set up a good government. However, constant wars meant that the government mainly focused on getting money to pay the army.

Al-Mu'tadid prepared his son Ali to become caliph. He made Ali a governor in different provinces. First, Ali governed areas like Rayy and Hamadan around 894/5. Later, in 899, he became governor of the Jazira and frontier regions. Ali lived in Raqqa during this time. A religious scholar, Ibn Abi al-Dunya, was Ali's teacher.

Al-Muktafi's Time as Caliph

When his father, al-Mu'tadid, died on April 5, 902, al-Muktafi became caliph without any problems. His father's vizier, al-Qasim ibn Ubayd Allah, made sure everyone swore loyalty to al-Muktafi. He also kept other Abbasid princes locked up until al-Muktafi arrived in Baghdad from Raqqa on April 20.

His Personality and Rule

The new caliph was 25 years old. A historian from that time, al-Tabari, described him as "handsome, with beautiful hair and a full beard."

Al-Muktafi loved building, just like his father. He finished his father's third palace project in Baghdad, called the Taj ('Crown') Palace. For this palace, he used bricks from the old Sasanian palace in Ctesiphon. One part of the palace was a round tower where the caliph could ride a donkey to the top to see the countryside.

He also built a Friday mosque at the palace, now known as the Jami al-Khulafa. Unlike his father, who was known for being very strict, al-Muktafi was more easygoing. He became popular when he destroyed his father's underground prisons. He also freed prisoners and gave back lands that the government had taken. He even listened to the complaints of common people himself.

The Vizier's Influence

Al-Muktafi was not as strong-willed as his father. He was easily influenced by officials at court. The early part of his rule was controlled by the vizier al-Qasim ibn Ubayd Allah. Al-Qasim was very smart and ambitious. He got rid of anyone who might challenge his power over the new caliph.

For example, al-Qasim ordered the execution of the Saffarid ruler, Amr ibn al-Layth. This happened even though al-Muktafi wanted to treat him well. Soon after, the vizier also got rid of al-Mu'tadid's loyal army commander, Badr al-Mu'tadidi. Badr was promised safety but was executed on August 14.

Al-Qasim even arranged for his young daughter to be engaged to al-Muktafi's infant son in March 904. This showed how powerful he was. He was given a special title, Wali al-Dawla, which was a first in the Islamic world.

Al-Qasim died in 904. Before he died, he named his possible successors. However, Ali ibn al-Furat quickly gained favor with the caliph.

Military Campaigns

Al-Muktafi's short rule was filled with wars. But he was not like his father, who was a great warrior. Al-Mu'tadid had personally led armies, inspiring his soldiers. Al-Muktafi, however, stayed in the palace and did not inspire the soldiers in the same way.

Dealing with Eastern Rulers

Al-Mu'tadid had a difficult relationship with the Saffarids, who ruled most of Persia. The caliph and the Saffarids often fought over control of western Persia. In 901, the Saffarids took the region of Fars. When al-Muktafi became caliph, the Saffarids also captured Rayy.

Al-Muktafi, like his father, preferred to make peace with the Saffarids. The next year, he confirmed their control over Fars.

Relations with Yusuf ibn Abi'l-Saj, the ruler of Adharbayjan, were also difficult. In 908, an army was sent against him. But after al-Muktafi's death, a deal was made. Yusuf ibn Abi'l-Saj agreed to recognize the caliph's authority. He was then named governor of Armenia and Adharbayjan.

Stopping Qarmatian Uprisings

Early caliphates often faced threats from radical groups. One such group was the Qarmatians, a branch of Isma'ili Shi'a Islam. They believed mainstream Islam had strayed from true teachings. They gained many followers among the Bedouin people.

By the time al-Muktafi became caliph, the Qarmatians were attacking the main areas of the Caliphate. In 899, they took Bahrayn. Another group started raiding Syria. In 902, the Qarmatians attacked Damascus. They couldn't take the city but damaged other Syrian towns.

In July 903, al-Muktafi decided to lead a campaign against the Qarmatians. He went to Raqqa with the army. The actual command was given to Muhammad ibn Sulayman al-Katib. Other Abbasid forces also fought the Qarmatians. On November 29, 903, Muhammad ibn Sulayman defeated the main Qarmatian army near Hama. Many leaders were captured or killed.

Al-Muktafi returned to Baghdad with the captured leaders, who were put in prison. Muhammad ibn Sulayman stayed to find remaining rebels. He returned to Baghdad in triumph on February 2, 904. Eleven days later, the Qarmatian leaders were publicly executed. In the same year, the Abbasid governor of Bahrayn defeated the local Qarmatians.

The victory at Hama did not completely stop the Qarmatians. In 906, some Bedouin, led by a Qarmatian named Abu Ghanim, rebelled again. They raided areas and attacked Damascus. They couldn't take the city but looted Tiberias. Abbasid generals pursued them. To escape, the Bedouin killed their leader and were pardoned.

The remaining Qarmatians moved south to Kufa. In October, they attacked Kufa. They were pushed back but defeated an army sent from Baghdad. Their leader, Zikrawayh ibn Mihrawayh, then attacked caravans returning from the pilgrimage to Mecca. In November, three caravans were attacked. Many people were killed, and women and children were taken as slaves.

Finally, in early January 907, caliphal troops under Wasif ibn Sawartakin defeated the Qarmatians near al-Qadisiyya. With these defeats, the Qarmatian movement in the Syrian Desert mostly ended. However, the Qarmatians in Bahrayn remained a threat for many years.

The excellent service of al-Husayn ibn Hamdan during these campaigns made him a leading Abbasid commander. His family, the Hamdanids, also became very powerful. In 905, his brother Abu'l-Hayja Abdallah became governor of Mosul. This city became their main base.

Taking Back Tulunid Syria and Egypt

The defeat of the Qarmatians at Hama also allowed the Abbasids to take back southern Syria and Egypt. These areas were controlled by the Tulunid dynasty. The Tulunid government was weak due to internal problems and army rivalries. The Qarmatian raids also weakened them.

On May 24, 904, Muhammad ibn Sulayman left Baghdad with an army of 10,000 soldiers. His mission was to take back southern Syria and Egypt from the Tulunids. A fleet from Cilicia, led by Damian of Tarsus, helped from the sea. Damian sailed up the Nile river, raided its coasts, and stopped supplies from reaching the Tulunid forces.

The Abbasid army advanced with little resistance. In December, the Tulunid ruler Harun ibn Khumarawayh was killed by his uncles. One of them, Shayban, took control. But this murder caused more Tulunid officials to join the Abbasids.

In January, the Abbasid army reached Fustat, the old capital of Egypt. Shayban abandoned his troops, and the city surrendered. The Abbasids destroyed the nearby Tulunid capital, al-Qata'i, but left the great Mosque of Ibn Tulun. The Tulunid family members were arrested and sent to Baghdad. Their properties were taken by the government.

Isa al-Nushari was made governor of Egypt. His time as governor was difficult. Within months, he had to leave Fustat and flee to Alexandria because of a rebellion. Reinforcements arrived from Baghdad. The rebel leader was eventually defeated and captured in May 906.

In 906, al-Muktafi married a daughter of the second Tulunid ruler, Khumarawayh.

Battles with the Byzantine Empire

Al-Muktafi also continued the ongoing conflict with the Byzantine Empire. Both sides had wins and losses. In May 902, al-Qasim ibn Sima al-Farghani was put in charge of the frontier areas. In 902 or 903, an Arab naval raid reached the island of Lemnos, close to the Byzantine capital, Constantinople. The island was looted, and its people were taken as slaves.

However, in May 903, the governor of Tarsus was sent to the border with gifts for the Byzantine ruler, Leo VI the Wise. Later, Byzantine envoys came to Baghdad to discuss a prisoner exchange. The exchange happened in September–October 905, but it was stopped because the Byzantines changed the terms. After more talks, the exchange was completed in August 908.

In the summer of 904, a Byzantine who had joined the Abbasids, Leo of Tripoli, led a large naval attack. His fleet of 54 ships from Syria and Egypt reportedly aimed for Constantinople. The Arab fleet sailed through the Dardanelles and looted Abydos. The Byzantine navy did not stop them.

Emperor Leo replaced his admiral with a more active one. But Leo of Tripoli surprised the Byzantines. He turned west and attacked the Empire's second-largest city, Thessalonica. He looted the city after a three-day siege on July 31, 904. The attack brought a huge amount of treasure and many captives for the Muslim fleet.

On land, the Byzantines had the upper hand. In spring 904, a large Byzantine army invaded Arab territory and looted as far as Hadath. In November, the Byzantine general Andronikos Doukas invaded Arab land. He won a major victory over the forces of Tarsus at Marash.

More successes followed for both sides. The Byzantines captured Cyrrhus in July 906, destroying the city. In October 906, an Arab raid reached the Halys River and returned with loot and captives. At sea, the Byzantine admiral Himerios won a victory over an Arab fleet on October 6, 906. However, in spring 907, Andronikos Doukas and his son joined the Abbasids.

Al-Muktafi also had unique diplomatic relations. In 906, Bertha, a European noblewoman, sent a letter and gifts to al-Muktafi. She wanted his friendship and a marriage alliance. Bertha was worried about an Arab settlement in Europe. She thought the caliph still had real power over the rulers of Ifriqiya (North Africa). Al-Muktafi replied to her letter, but nothing more came of this long-distance exchange.

Al-Muktafi's Death and What Happened Next

Al-Muktafi was a successful ruler. He was also known as a sensitive person who enjoyed good food and poetry. Historians say that during his time, the Caliphate almost seemed to regain its past glory. He had overcome the Qarmatian threat and brought Egypt and Syria back under control. His financial policies also ensured wealth and a full treasury, even with constant wars.

However, al-Muktafi had been sick since childhood. In late spring 908, he became very ill. For about three months, he was unable to move much. It became clear he would not survive. Al-Muktafi had nine sons, but they were all too young to rule. Because of his illness, he couldn't choose a successor.

The vizier, al-Abbas al-Jarjara'i, asked other important officials for their opinion. This was unusual and showed how much power the civilian officials had. One official suggested an experienced Abbasid prince. But the vizier followed the advice of Ali ibn al-Furat, who suggested al-Muktafi's 13-year-old brother, Ja'far. They thought Ja'far would be weak and easy to control.

The choice of Ja'far, who became Caliph al-Muqtadir (ruled 908–932), was a bad sign. Historian Hugh Kennedy called it "one of the most disastrous reigns in the whole of Abbasid history." During his rule, much of the good work of previous caliphs was undone.

Al-Muktafi seemed to recover just enough to approve his brother's nomination. He died on August 13, 908. Like his father, he was buried in the Tahirid Palace in Baghdad. Al-Muktafi's death marked the peak of the Abbasid revival.

Over the next 40 years, the Caliphate faced many power struggles. It lost its distant provinces to ambitious local rulers. By 936, the caliphs became like puppet rulers, with little real power. Baghdad itself was captured by the Buyid dynasty in 946.

During these difficult times, al-Muktafi's son, Abdallah, became caliph in 944–946. He was known as al-Mustakfi. Another son, Abu Ahmad Muhammad, was involved in a plot against al-Muqtadir in 930. He was also considered for the caliph's throne in 932. He died in 933.

Images for kids

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  Map showing the Abbasid Caliphate around 900.

See Also

• List of caliphs
• Abbasid Caliphate

al-Muktafi Abbasid dynasty Born: 877/8 Died: 13 August 908
Sunni Islam titles
Preceded by al-Mu'tadid	Caliph of the Abbasid Caliphate 5 April 902 – 13 August 908	Succeeded by al-Muqtadir