In the previous article, we spoke of the Turkish era which lasted for about a century, whereby the Turks were in full control of the administrative, financial, and military affairs of the state. Additionally, they took part in appointing and ousting caliphs. We started talking about the first caliph of that era, namely, al-Mutawakil (232-247 Hijri) (847-861 A.D.), the tenth caliph about whom historians had conflicting opinions. We tackled some of the state’s affairs during his tenure.
Al-Mutawakil and Itakh, the Turkish Commander
Itakh was one of the Abbasid State’s great commanders. He besieged Ammorium during al-Mu’tasim’s tenure. Likewise, he overcame the rebellion of Babak Khorramidin which lasted for about twenty years. As such, Babak became quite influential, which filled al-Mutawakil’s heart with worry and desire to get rid of him. Moreover, it is said that during one of the meetings, Itakh insulted al-Mutawakil, which made the latter hate him and contrive to get rid of him. Yet, this was difficult to achieve at Samarra when Itakh was surrounded by his men and sentries.
While contriving to get rid of Itakh, al-Mutawakil made sure to hide it. Thus, he, “assigned Itakh the affairs of every province he conquered, promoted him, and made him ride with the rest of the commanders, which made Itakh trust him.” Then al-Mutawakil planned to expel him out of the town. While Itakh was in Baghdad, the chief of the police arrested him, having already cast out his associates, and put him in jail where he remained for a few months and was deprived from water. Thus, he died of thirst in 235 Hijri (850 A.D.) Then the Caliph had his children arrested and put in jail where they remained till the former’s death.
The Alawites
Al-Mutawakil hated Ali bin Abu Talib and his family exceedingly. Likewise, some of his page used to instigate him to oust and wrong the Alawites. This increases his hatred for them. So much so that he ordered the demolition of al-Hussein bin Ali tomb in Karbala and the houses surrounding it in 237 Hijri (852 A.D.), and that the land of the tomb be cultivated. Moreover, he prohibited people from visiting the place and threatened to imprison any violators, which made people terribly upset with him.
Riots and Seditions
Riots and seditions spread throughout the Abbasid State during al-Mutawakil’s tenure. Rebellions broke out in Sistan, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Armenia, Syria, and Yemen.
Azerbaijan
Rebellions broke out against al-Mutawakil in Azerbaijan. They were led by Mohammed bin al-Ba’ith bin Halbas, and did not calm down, except after several wars in which many Abbasids were killed, and al-Mutawakil paid large sums of money. At the beginning of the war, Mohammed bin al-Ba’ith took refuge at Marand. So, al-Mutawakil sent several crusades to overcome him. Yet, only the troops led by Amr bin Saysal bin Kal were able to defeat and imprison him, along with some of his associates, and kill some of them. Al-Mutawakil ordered that all of them be imprisoned, and bin al-Ba’ith be put to death. Yet, he pardoned him.
Egypt
Egypt’s security was shaken, and riots prevailed. In fact, the Romans raided Lower Egypt and reached Alexandria, only to occupy her for quite a while. Likewise, they attacked Upper Egypt heavily. So, al-Mutawakil sent an army to overcome these rebellions, and faced a lot of trouble until he succeeded in so doing in 241 Hijri (856 A.D.) We shall recount all these incidents in full details in due course.
Armenia
In Armenia, terrible rebellions were ignited against the caliph’s proconsul Yusuf bin Mohammed. Horrific wars broke out until the proconsul and many of his associates were killed. When the news reached al-Mutawakil, he sent over his Turkish leader Bagha al-Sharaby to overcome the rebels. Historians maintain that about thirty thousand people were killed, apart from those who were imprisoned. Likewise, the Turkish leader marched to Tbilisi to fight her prince, Ishaq bin Ishmael who rebelled against the Abbasids and declared his independence from the State. So, Bagha besieged the city and burnt it, along with its inhabitants. Round fifty thousand people were killed. Ishaq was arrested and put to death, after which Bagha marched to a number of Armenian cities to overcome rebellions there. Having emerged victorious, he returned to Samarra with a number of captives. It is said they were killed for refusing to convert, according to the caliph’s orders.
Syria
Syria was not any better: for rebellions broke out in Homs between 240 and 241 Hijri (855 and 856 A.D.) The rebels ousted the proconsul. So, the caliph ordered his troops in Damascus and Ramla to head toward Homs and overcome the rebellions, which they made.
One historian writes, “The troops succeeded in overcoming seditions, punished the Christians who took part in the rebellion harshly, demolished their churches, and expelled them from the city.” After that, al-Mutawakil desired to get close to the Syrians. So, he left Samarra and headed to Damascus, making it his premise. He reached it in 244 Hijri (859 A.D.), and started establishing government departments, a new district which he called al-Ja’fariya. It contained his palace called al-Lou’loua (the Pearl). Yet, he was not comfortable in Damascus due to the effect of her weather on his health. So, he returned to Samarra.
Yemen
Yemen became terribly riotous ever since al-Ma’mun’s tenure. So, he sent Mohammed bin Ibrahim to overcome the rebellion, after which al-Ma’mun appointed him proconsul of it. Mohammed bin Ibrahim’s sons took over the country’s affairs one after the other until the Ziyad family took over. Yet, at the end of al-Mutawakil’s tenure, Yu’far bin Abdul Rahim, Ziyad’s deputy in Sana’a established the Ufarite state, after which he declared independence in 247 Hijri (861 A.D.). Then his sons took over until 387 Hijri (997 A.D.)
External Affairs
War did not cease between the Abbasid and Roman kings, whereby each party raided the other’s property. Romans raided Egypt in 238 Hijri (853 A.D.) and reached Damietta. In return, the Abbasids raided the Roman property in Asia Minor. In 241 Hijri (856 A.D.) the two parties exchanged captives, only for matters to remain this way and another story to begin. Stories never end in Beautiful Egypt.
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
