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

Quick facts for kids Ali al-Zahir
Gold dinar of al-Zahir
Imam–Caliph of the Fatimid Dynasty
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'l-Ḥasan ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥākim (born June 20, 1005 – died June 13, 1036) was a very important leader. He was known by his special title, al-Zāhir li-iʿzāz Dīn Allāh, which means "He Who Appears Openly to Strengthen the Religion of God." He was the seventh caliph of the Fatimid dynasty, ruling from 1021 to 1036. A caliph was like a ruler and a religious leader in the Islamic world. Al-Zahir became caliph after his father, al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, disappeared.

Becoming Caliph

When al-Hakim disappeared in February 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 even though another cousin had been named as the next leader before.

Ali was officially recognized as the new ruler on March 28, 1021. He took the special title al-Zāhir li-iʿzāz Dīn Allāh. His rival, Abu'l-Qasim, who was a governor in Damascus, was called back to Cairo. He passed away a few months later.

Early Rule and Challenges

For the first two years, until February 1023, Sitt al-Mulk was the real power behind the throne. Historians say she was a very skilled leader. Al-Zahir was the first Fatimid ruler to let his officials handle more of the daily government tasks. This started a trend where the caliphs had less direct power over time.

During al-Zahir's rule, the Fatimid state faced some tough times. In Egypt, there was a severe famine and a widespread sickness (plague) between 1023 and 1025. This caused a lot of disorder. In Palestine and Syria, a group of Bedouin people started a revolt that lasted from 1024 to 1029. The Fatimid leaders used clever talks to break up the rebel groups. After that, General Anushtakin al-Dizbari was able to defeat them in battle.

In 1028, a powerful official named ʻAlī ibn Ahmad Jarjarai became the main minister, called a vizier. He kept this important job until 1045. He worked hard to have good relationships with the Byzantine Empire, even though they often argued over who controlled the city of Aleppo. To make things better with the Byzantines and the Christian people in his lands, al-Zahir agreed to let the Church of the Holy Sepulchre be rebuilt. This church had been destroyed in 1009. The rebuilding was part of a treaty with the Byzantine Emperor Romanus III. The actual construction, paid for by the Byzantines, began later in 1042.

Challenges for the Druze Community

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

Many people who were not Druze joined their community as spies. These spies tried to cause trouble and spread bad rumors about the Druze. This led to conflicts with the new caliph, and the Fatimid army fought against the Druze. These clashes happened in many places, from Antioch to Alexandria. Many Druze people faced severe challenges, and some were killed. The Druze call this difficult period the mihna.

The largest conflict was in Antioch, where many prominent Druze leaders were killed. Another one happened in Aleppo. Because of these challenges, the Druze faith went "underground," meaning people practiced it secretly to survive. Those who were caught were forced to give up their faith or face death. Druze survivors mostly lived in southern Lebanon and Syria. In 1038, two years after al-Zahir's death, the Druze movement was able to continue more openly. This was because the new leaders had friendly ties with some important Druze figures.

Death and Successor

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 title al-Mustansir.

See also

In Spanish: Ali az-Zahir para niños

Images for kids

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  A gold coin from al-Zahir's time.