Al-Muqtadir facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Al-Muqtadir المقتدر بالله
Khalīfah Amir al-Mu'minin
Gold dinar of al-Muqtadir with the names of his heir Abu'l-Abbas and the vizier Amid al-Dawla
18th Caliph of the Abbasid Caliphate
Reign	13 August 908 – 28 February 929
Predecessor	Al-Muktafi
Successor	Al-Qahir
Reign	2 March 929 – 31 October 932 (second period)
Born	13 November 895 Baghdad, Abbasid Caliphate
Died	31 October 932 (aged 36) Baghdad, Abbasid Caliphate
Burial	Baghdad
Consort	Hurra bint Badr al-Mut'adidi Zalum Khalub Dimna Mash'ala Khamrah
Issue	Al-Radi Al-Muttaqi Al-Muti Harun Ishaq Isa Ibrahim
Full name Abu'l-Fadl Ja'far ibn Ahmad al-Mu'tadid Al-Muqtadir bi-Allah
Dynasty	Abbasid
Father	Al-Mu'tadid
Mother	Shaghab
Religion	Sunni Islam

Al-Muqtadir was an important ruler in history. His full name was Abu’l-Faḍl Jaʿfar ibn Ahmad al-Muʿtaḍid. He was the eighteenth Caliph of the Abbasid Caliphate, a powerful Islamic empire. His name, Al-Muqtadir bi-llāh, means "Mighty in God." He ruled from 908 to 932 AD, which was a long time for a ruler back then.

He became Caliph when he was only 13 years old! This made him the youngest Caliph ever in the Abbasid Empire. His rule started because of some tricky politics in the palace. Soon after he became ruler, some people tried to replace him with an older prince, but their plan failed quickly.

Even though he ruled for a long time, Al-Muqtadir wasn't very interested in running the government himself. His officials did most of the work. However, these officials, called viziers, changed very often. This made it hard for the government to work well. His mother, Shaghab, also had a lot of power from inside the palace, influencing who got important jobs.

Before Al-Muqtadir, his father and older brother had made the empire strong again. But during Al-Muqtadir's rule, the empire started to decline quickly. The money in the treasury, which was full when he started, quickly ran out. This led to many financial problems for the government.

Far away, a new group called the Fatimids took over Ifriqiya (modern-day Tunisia). However, the army commander, Mu'nis al-Muzaffar, stopped them from taking Egypt. Closer to home, the Hamdanids became independent rulers in an area called Jazira. Another dangerous group, the Qarmatians, became a big threat again. They even captured the holy city of Mecca in 929.

At the same time, the Byzantine Empire started attacking the borders of the Caliphate. Because of all these problems, a palace revolt happened in February 929. Al-Muqtadir was briefly replaced by his brother, al-Qahir. But the new ruler couldn't keep control, and Al-Muqtadir was put back on the throne a few days later.

By then, Mu'nis al-Muzaffar, the army commander, was almost like a dictator. Al-Muqtadir tried to get rid of him in 932. But Mu'nis marched his troops into Baghdad. In the battle that followed on October 31, 932, Al-Muqtadir was killed.

Early Life and Family Background

Birth and Childhood

Al-Muqtadir was born on November 14, 895. He was the second son of Caliph al-Mu'tadid, who ruled from 892 to 902. His mother was a Greek slave concubine named Shaghab.

His grandfather, al-Muwaffaq, was a powerful prince. He became the main military leader and actual ruler during his brother's reign, al-Mu'tamid (870–892). Al-Muwaffaq's power came from his strong connection with the ghilmān. These were foreign-born "slave-soldiers" who formed the main part of the Abbasid army.

The Ghilmān Soldiers

The ghilmān were very skilled fighters. But they were also very expensive. They could be a political danger because their main goal was to get paid. Since they were not from the main Muslim society, they didn't hesitate to overthrow a vizier or even a caliph to get what they wanted. This happened during a chaotic time called the "Anarchy at Samarra" (861–870), when five caliphs ruled one after another.

Challenges to the Empire

During the "Anarchy at Samarra," the Caliph's power in the provinces weakened. By the 870s, the central government had lost control over most of the Caliphate. Only the area around Iraq remained fully under their control. In the west, Egypt was taken over by Ahmad ibn Tulun. He also fought for control of Syria. In the east, the Saffarids took over Khurasan and most of the Islamic East.

Many parts of the Arabian Peninsula were also lost to local rulers. In Tabaristan, a new religious group, the Zaydi Shi'a, took power. Even in Iraq, a rebellion of slaves threatened Baghdad itself. Further south, the Qarmatians were a growing threat.

Efforts to Restore Power

Until his death in 891, Al-Muwaffaq constantly fought to prevent the empire from completely falling apart. He managed to stop the Zanj rebellion and push back the Saffarids. When he died, his son, Al-Muqtadir's father, took over his powers. In 892, when Caliph al-Mu'tamid died, Al-Muqtadir's father took the throne from al-Mu'tamid's sons.

Al-Mu'tadid was known as a "warrior-caliph." He spent most of his rule fighting. He managed to defeat local rulers who had taken power and brought back control over Jazira, the border towns of the Thughur, and the Jibal. But he failed to capture Fars and Kirman.

In other areas, the Islamic world continued to break apart. The Sajid dynasty was set up in Adharbayjan. The Armenian princes became almost independent. Yemen was lost to a local Zaydi dynasty. A new group, the Qarmatians, appeared and took Bahrayn in 899.

Al-Muqtadir's older half-brother, al-Muktafi, followed Al-Mu'tadid. He continued the policies of his predecessors. He won a big victory over the Qarmatians and took back the lands ruled by the Tulunids.

The Cost of War

All these wars were very expensive. According to one historian, over 80 percent of the government's money was spent on the army. Paying the army became the government's biggest concern. But it became harder as more provinces were lost. Even the rich farmlands of Iraq, called the Sawad, earned less money.

However, by being very careful with money, both Al-Mu'tadid and Al-Muktafi left a full treasury. So, when Al-Muktafi died, the Caliphate was smaller than it used to be. But it was still a strong state with a powerful army. This army was probably the best in the Muslim world, even if it was expensive. The Caliphate also had strong legitimacy as the true successors of Muhammad.

Becoming Caliph

The Succession Decision

In 908, Caliph al-Muktafi became very ill and was close to death. The question of who would rule next was open. The vizier, al-Abbas ibn al-Hasan al-Jarjara'i, had to find a successor.

There are two main stories about what happened. One story says the vizier asked important officials for advice. Some suggested the older and more experienced Abdallah ibn al-Mu'tazz. But Ali ibn al-Furat suggested the 13-year-old Ja'far, Al-Muqtadir. He thought Ja'far would be weak and easy for the officials to control. The vizier agreed with Ibn al-Furat. When Al-Muktafi died, Ja'far was named the new Caliph. Al-Muktafi's own will also named his brother as his successor.

Another story says the vizier was deciding between Ibn al-Mu'tazz and another older prince, Muhammad ibn al-Mu'tamid. Choosing Muhammad would have been a big change, going against Al-Mu'tadid's family. The vizier leaned towards Muhammad, but Muhammad wanted to wait until Al-Muktafi died. However, Al-Muktafi got better for a short time. He heard people were talking about other successors. So, in front of witnesses, he officially named Ja'far as his heir before he died.

These stories show different sides of Al-Muqtadir becoming Caliph. One suggests officials chose a weak ruler to control him. The other shows that loyalty to Al-Mu'tadid's family and his soldiers played a big role.

The Failed Coup

Al-Muqtadir's succession was accepted without immediate opposition. The treasury was full, so the new Caliph could easily pay the troops. He also gave gifts to members of the Hashimite families, a traditional practice. Al-Muqtadir showed his generosity by ordering the removal of a market built by his predecessor. This market made merchants pay rent, which was bad for the poor.

However, the political plotting didn't stop. Supporters of Ibn al-Mu'tazz still wanted their candidate on the throne. On December 16, 908, a commander named al-Husayn ibn Hamdan led a group of men. They killed the vizier as he was riding to his garden. The plotters then tried to capture the young Caliph. But Al-Muqtadir managed to escape to the Hasani Palace. He barricaded himself inside with his supporters.

The ḥājib (chamberlain) Sawsan was key in leading the loyalists' defense. He urged commanders like Safi al-Hurami and Mu'nis al-Khadim to protect the Caliph. Al-Husayn tried all morning to get in but failed. Then, without telling his fellow plotters, he suddenly fled the city to his home in Mosul.

Meanwhile, the other plotters gathered in a house and declared Ibn al-Mu'tazz as Caliph. Some religious judges (qāḍīs) supported this, saying Al-Muqtadir's rule was illegal. But others disagreed. This showed how unsure and divided the plotters were.

With Ibn Hamdan gone and the plotters undecided, Al-Muqtadir's supporters gained the upper hand. Mu'nis al-Khadim led his soldiers across the Tigris River to the house where Ibn al-Mu'tazz and his group were. They quickly scattered the plotters.

The coup failed swiftly. Ali ibn al-Furat, who had not been involved with the plotters, was named the new vizier. Many of the plotters were executed, though Ibn al-Furat tried to limit the punishments. The troops, whose loyalty had saved the Caliph, received another bonus payment. However, the ḥājib Sawsan, who had become too arrogant, was soon arrested and died under house arrest.

Al-Muqtadir's Rule

The Queen Mother's Influence

Al-Muqtadir was the first Caliph to become ruler when he was underage. So, in his early years, a special council was set up to help him rule. This council included his mother, Shaghab, her personal assistant, Umm Musa, and other important women.

Shaghab, often called al-Sayyida ("the Lady"), had complete control over her son. Al-Muqtadir spent much of his time in his mother's rooms. Because of this, government decisions were often made in the private palace areas, not in the public offices. Shaghab became one of the most powerful people during her son's rule. She influenced who got appointed or fired from important jobs. She also gave money to the treasury and did charity work.

Historians often mention how Al-Muqtadir's rule was tied to his female household. This was a big point of criticism. Some historians said that during his reign, "those who had power were women, servants and others." They claimed the Caliph "did not concern himself with State affairs." Shaghab is often described as a "greedy and short-sighted schemer."

Shaghab mostly stayed in the harem, but she had her own government staff. Her power was so great that when her secretary, Ahmad al-Khasibi, became vizier in 925, he actually preferred his old job working for her.

The most important people in her court were the stewardesses, or qahramāna. These women could leave the harem and act as her agents outside. They had a lot of influence, especially as they connected the harem to the court. Their influence with Shaghab could even lead to viziers being fired.

One of these qahramāna was Umm Musa. She was known for plotting for her favorites and for her family's corruption. She was also hostile towards the respected vizier Ali ibn Isa al-Jarrah, who was dismissed because of her actions in 917. However, when she arranged for her niece to marry a grandson of a former Caliph, her rivals accused her of trying to overthrow Al-Muqtadir. In 922/3, she was arrested and replaced by Thumal. Thumal tortured Umm Musa and her family to find where her hidden treasure, reportedly worth a million gold coins, was kept.

Key Events and Decline

During Al-Muqtadir's long reign, the Abbasid Empire began to decline significantly. However, many famous scholars and scientists lived during this time. These included:

• Ishaq ibn Hunayn (died 911), a doctor and translator of Greek philosophy.
• Ibn Fadlan, an explorer.
• Al-Battani (died 923), an astronomer.
• Tabari (died 923), a historian and religious scholar.
• Al-Razi (died 930), a philosopher who made important contributions to medicine and chemistry.
• Al-Farabi (died 950), a chemist and philosopher.
• Abu Nasr Mansur (died 1036), a mathematician.
• Alhazen (died 1040), a mathematician.
• Al-Biruni (died 1048), a mathematician, astronomer, and physicist.
• Omar Khayyám (died 1123), a poet, mathematician, and astronomer.
• Mansur Al-Hallaj, a mystic and teacher of Sufism. He was known for his spiritual beliefs and was executed for heresy by Al-Muqtadir in 922.

For some years, there had been wars between the Muslims and the Greeks in Asia. The Muslims often suffered heavy losses and many were taken prisoner. However, the Byzantine border was then threatened by Bulgarian groups. So, the Byzantine Empress Zoe Karbonopsina sent two ambassadors to Baghdad. They wanted to make a truce and arrange for the release of Muslim prisoners.

The embassy was welcomed, and peace was made. A large sum of 120,000 gold coins was paid to free the captives. This event, however, added to the unrest in Baghdad. People were angry about the losses in Asia Minor and Persia. They complained that the Caliph didn't care about these issues. They believed he spent his time with slave-girls and musicians instead of protecting Islam. People even threw stones at the Imam during Friday prayers when he mentioned the Caliph's name.

About twelve years later, Al-Muqtadir was briefly removed from power. Leading courtiers plotted against him, and he was forced to step down. His brother, al-Qahir, took his place. But after riots, looting, and thousands of deaths, the plotters found that the troops didn't support them. Al-Muqtadir, who had been kept safe, was put back on the throne.

After this event, the government's money problems became very bad. There was nothing left to pay the city guards. Al-Muqtadir was eventually killed outside the city gate in 932 AD.

Al-Muqtadir's long rule marked a low point for the Abbasids. Northern Africa was lost, and Egypt was almost lost. Mosul became independent. The Greeks could easily raid the poorly protected borders. However, in the East, rulers still formally recognized the Caliphate, even if they acted independently. Closer to home, the dangerous Carmathians had been stopped for a while. In Baghdad, Al-Muqtadir was largely controlled by his corrupt court and foreign guards. These guards, often Turkish officers, frequently rebelled. Because Al-Muqtadir's rule was not effective, the respect his predecessors had gained was lost. The Abbasid throne became seen as weak and an easy target for attacks.

Family Life

Al-Muqtadir had one wife named Hurra. She was the daughter of the Commander-in-Chief, Badr al-Mut'adidi. Al-Muqtadir was very kind to her. After he died, she married a man who was not as high-ranking.

Al-Muqtadir also had many concubines.

• Zalum was a Greek concubine. She was the mother of Al-Muqtadir's oldest son, the future Caliph Al-Radi, and Prince Harun.
• Dimna was another concubine. She was the mother of Prince Ishaq and the grandmother of the future Caliph Al-Qadir.
• Khalub, also known as Zuhra, was Greek. She was the mother of the future Caliph Al-Muttaqi.
• Mash'ala was a Slavic concubine. She was the mother of the future Caliph Al-Muti.
• Khamrah was the mother of Prince Isa. She was known for being very generous to the poor. She died in 988 and was buried in Rusafah Cemetery.
• Another concubine was the mother of Prince Ibrahim, Al-Muqtadir's youngest son.
• Another concubine had a son born in 909. She was also buried in Rusafah Cemetery.

Al-Muqtadir had two daughters. One died in 911 and was buried near her grandfather, Caliph Al-Mu'tadid. The second daughter died in 917 and was buried in Rusafah Cemetery.

Children of Al-Muqtadir

• Al-Radi: Born in 909 to Zalum. He was chosen by his father to be the next heir.
• Al-Muttaqi: Also known as Abu Ishaq Ibrahim.
• Al-Muti: Born around 913/914 to Mash'ala.
• Harun ibn al-Muqtadir: The younger son of Al-Muqtadir and Zalum.
• Ishaq ibn al-Muqtadir: One of Al-Muqtadir's younger sons. He died in 988.
• Isa ibn al-Muqtadir
• Ibrahim ibn al-Muqtadir: The youngest son of Al-Muqtadir.

Images for kids

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  Dirham of Al-Muqtadir 908–932

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  Abbasid Silver Dirham in the name of the Abbasid caliph Al-Muqtadir (reign: 908–932) inscribed. Designed on the model of the coinage of the Hindu Shahis.

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  The execution of Mansur al-Hallaj at the behest of al-Muqtadir on 26 March 922, as represented in a 17th-century Mughal Indian painting.

See also

In Spanish: Al-Muqtádir (califa) para niños