Al-Muqtafi facts for kids

Al-Muqtafi (full name: Abu Abdallah Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Mustazhir) was an important Caliph of the Abbasid Caliphate. He ruled in Baghdad from 1136 to 1160. He took over after his nephew, al-Rashid, had to step down. During his time, the Seljuk Turks were often fighting among themselves. This gave Al-Muqtafi a chance to strengthen his power. He not only kept control of Baghdad but also expanded his rule across much of Iraq.

Early Life and Family

Al-Muqtafi was born on April 9, 1096. His father was Caliph al-Mustazhir, who ruled from 1094 to 1118. His mother was a woman named Ashin.

After his father passed away, Al-Muqtafi's half-brother, al-Mustarshid, became Caliph. Al-Mustarshid ruled for sixteen years. Towards the end of his rule, he faced conflicts with the Seljuk Sultan Mas'ud. Al-Mustarshid was captured during a battle. Later, he was found dead.

Al-Mustarshid's son, Al-Rashid Billah, became the next Caliph. Like his father, Al-Rashid wanted more independence from the Seljuks. He angered Sultan Mas'ud, who then attacked Baghdad. Baghdad was well-defended, but Al-Rashid and his supporter, Zengi, eventually left the city. A council then decided to remove Al-Rashid from power. His uncle, Al-Muqtafi, became the new Caliph. Al-Rashid later died in Isfahan.

Al-Muqtafi's Rule

Al-Muqtafi became Caliph on September 17, 1136. He was very skilled at using the disagreements among the Seljuk leaders to his advantage. This helped him keep strong control over Baghdad. Over time, he even managed to expand his rule across a large part of Iraq.

In 1148, some Seljuk generals rebelled against Sultan Mas'ud. They marched towards Baghdad, but Al-Muqtafi's forces successfully defended the city. After Sultan Mas'ud died in 1152, there was a big fight for power among the Seljuks. Al-Muqtafi played an active role in this struggle. He took control of the cities of Wasit and al-Hilla. He supported Mas'ud's brother, Suleiman-Shah, in exchange for a promise that Suleiman-Shah would not interfere in Iraq.

However, another Seljuk leader, Muhammad II, defeated Suleiman-Shah. Muhammad II then marched on Baghdad. This led to the Siege of Baghdad in 1157. Al-Muqtafi had to take shelter in the eastern part of the city. The siege ended when Muhammad II had to deal with another rebellion. Eventually, Al-Muqtafi and Muhammad II made peace. In his later years, Al-Muqtafi tried to capture the city of Tikrit twice, but he did manage to take the town of Lihf.

Al-Muqtafi appointed Awn al-Din ibn Hubayra as his chief minister, known as a vizier. Ibn Hubayra served for sixteen years.

During Al-Muqtafi's rule, the Crusades were happening. Zengi, a powerful leader from Mosul, asked Baghdad for help against the Crusaders. The Caliph and the Sultan sent 20,000 soldiers. However, neither the Seljuks nor the Caliph's forces were very eager to fight the Crusaders.

Historians at the time praised Al-Muqtafi. They described him as a good, capable, and brave ruler. During his 25 years as Caliph, he led many smaller military actions against enemies throughout Iraq and Syria.

Family Life

Al-Muqtafi had several wives and concubines. One of his wives was Fatimah Khatun. She was the daughter of Sultan Muhammad I Tapar. They married in 1137.

One of his concubines was Thawus, who was Greek. She was the mother of Al-Mustanjid, who later became Caliph after Al-Muqtafi. Another concubine was Umm Abu Ali, who was the mother of his son Abu Ali.

Al-Muqtafi also had daughters. One daughter, Zubaydah, married Sultan Ghiyath ad-Din Mas'ud in 1140. Another daughter, Kerman Khatun, married Sultan Muhammad II around 1158 or 1159. After Muhammad II died, she married Arslan-Shah.

Death

Al-Muqtafi died on March 12, 1160, when he was 64 years old. His son, Yusuf, who became known as al-Mustanjid, succeeded him as Caliph. Al-Mustanjid was 36 years old when he took the throne.

See also

• Abu Mansur Mauhub al-Jawaliqi, served as imam for al-Muqtafi.
• Abd al-Latif al-Baghdadi