Al-Zahir li-I'zaz Din Allah facts for kids

Quick facts for kids al-Zahir li-I'zaz Din Allah الظاهر لإعزاز دين الله
Gold dinar of al-Zahir
Imam–Caliph of the Fatimid Caliphate
Reign	1021–1036
Predecessor	al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah
Successor	al-Mustansir Billah
Born	20 June 1005
Died	13 June 1036 (aged 30)
Spouse	Rasad, amongst others
Issue	al-Mustansir Billah
Dynasty	Fatimid
Religion	Isma'ili Shia Islam

Abū al-Ḥasan ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥākim (Arabic: أبو الحسن علي ابن الحاكم; born June 20, 1005 – died June 13, 1036) was a significant ruler. He is better known by his royal name, al-Ẓāhir li-Iʿzāz Dīn Allāh. This name means "He Who Appears Openly to Strengthen the Religion of God." Al-Zahir was the seventh caliph of the Fatimid dynasty, ruling from 1021 to 1036. He became the leader after his father, al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, disappeared.

Al-Zahir's Time as Caliph

When al-Hakim disappeared on February 14, 1021, his sister, Sitt al-Mulk, took charge. She decided that al-Hakim's 16-year-old son, Ali, should become the new caliph. This was different from what al-Hakim had planned earlier.

Ali was publicly sworn in as caliph on March 28. He took the royal name al-Zāhir li-Iʿzāz Dīn Allāh. His cousin, who was also considered for the role, was called back to Cairo and passed away a few months later.

Early Years of Rule

Sitt al-Mulk managed the government until she died in February 1023. Historians say she was a very skilled leader. Al-Zahir was the first Fatimid ruler to let his officials handle much of the daily governing. This trend continued and eventually led to the caliphs having less direct power.

During this time, the Fatimid state faced some big problems. In Egypt, there was a severe famine (lack of food) and a plague (a serious disease) from 1023 to 1025. This caused a lot of disorder.

Challenges and Rebellions

In Palestine and Syria, there was a major revolt by the Bedouin people from 1024 to 1029. The Fatimid government used clever diplomacy to break up the rebel groups. After that, General Anushtakin al-Dizbari was able to defeat the rebels in battle.

In 1028, a powerful official named ʻAlī ibn Ahmad Jarjarai became the vizir, which was like a prime minister. He kept this important job until 1045. He worked to have good relationships with the Byzantine Empire. Even though they often disagreed about who controlled Aleppo, they mostly avoided major wars.

To improve relations with the Byzantines and the Christian people in his own lands, al-Zahir agreed to rebuild the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This important church had been destroyed in 1009. The Byzantine Emperor Romanus III helped fund the rebuilding, which actually started in 1042.

Dealing with the Druze Community

For about seven years, the Druze community faced great difficulties under al-Zahir's rule. He wanted to stop their new faith from spreading. This happened because of a power struggle within the Fatimid empire. The Druze were seen with suspicion because they did not accept al-Zahir as their religious leader.

Many people, some of whom were spies, joined the Druze community to cause trouble. This led to conflict with the new caliph. There were battles between the Fatimid army and the Druze community in various places, from Antioch to Alexandria. Many Druze people were killed during this time, which they remember as the period of the mihna, meaning "trial" or "persecution."

The largest conflict happened in Antioch, where many prominent Druze were killed. As a result, the Druze faith had to be practiced in secret to survive. Those who were captured were forced to give up their faith or face death. Druze survivors mainly found safety in southern Lebanon and Syria. Two years after al-Zahir's death in 1038, the Druze movement was able to become more open again. This was because the new leaders had friendly ties with a key Druze leader.

End of His Reign

Al-Zahir ruled as Imam for sixteen years. He passed away on June 13, 1036, due to the plague. After his death, his son became the eighth caliph, taking the royal name al-Mustansir.

See also

In Spanish: Ali az-Zahir para niños

• Family tree of Muhammad#Family tree linking prophets to Imams
• List of Ismaili imams
• List of rulers of Egypt