Last article tackled Caliph Al-Hafiz Li-Din Allah, the eighth caliph of the Fatimid state in Egypt, who assumed the caliphate after the murder of his cousin Al-Amir Billah, in whose era the de facto ruler wasMinister Commander of Armies until he was killed; he entrusted his eldest son, Solomon, with the duties of the minister, followed by his second son, Hassan, who was killed at the order of his father after threats from the princes.
It was reported that Al-Hafiz used to send soldiers to Ashkelon every six months, according to the news he received about the numbers of the Frank soldiers: “Every six months, Al-Hafiz used to send (allocate or get out) military to Ashkelon, according to the determination of the Franks (what they intend every time) regarding fewness and abundance, (for strengthening) with those (soldiers) whether central or of Kenana and otherswho are in it (in Ashkelon) residing. Knights were deemed few if their number ranged from three hundred to four hundred (those who walk in the expeditionary), while they were deemed abundant if their number ranged from four hundred to six hundred, and a prince was assigned to lead one hundred knights and was given the map.”
Among the incidentsoccurred during the rule of the Fatimid Caliph Al-Hafiz Li-Din Allah was the murder of the Abbasid Caliph Al-MustarshidBillahduring his war against the Seljuks in the fifth year of rule. In the sixth year, the Abbasid Caliph al-Rashid Billah was deposed, and he died nearly two years later. In the ninth year, a great earthquake occurred and was described by SibtIbn al-Jawzias follows: “Janzah (a city between Sherwan and Azerbaijan) trembled… it destroyed two hundred and thirty thousand people,” Also, Ibn al-Qalansi mentioned: “It struck the whole world, but it struck Aleppo the most, it occurred eighty times that the country walls and the castle towers were demolished, and the people of the country fled to its borders.”
Some historians also said that Al-Hafiz was of patient nature. Caliph Al-Hafiz Li Din Allah died in 544 AH (1149 AD) after reportedly falling illwith a stomach disease, he left a will saying that the affairs of government shall be passed to Abu Mansour Ismail, his youngest son, who was called “Al-Zafir Bi Amr Allah. Al-Hafiz is considered the last adult Fatimid caliph of Egypt.
Al-Zafir bi Amr Allah (544-549 A.H.) (1149-1154 A.D.)
He is Abu Mansour Ismail, the son of Al-Hafiz Li-Din Allah, the ninth Fatimid caliph of Egypt. He took power at the age of seventeen and a few months. Due to his young age, he could not well manage the ruling affairs; historian Shams al-Din Abu al-Muzaffar mentioned: “His days were turbulent due to his young age and his preoccupation with amusement.” Judge Shams al-Din also mentioned: “He used to enjoy lot of amusement and games,possessing concubines and listening to songs.”
Najm Al-Din Abu Al-FathSelim was the first minister of Al-Zafir; he held the ministry for a short period of nearly two months only, whichended with his murder due to the revolution of Ali bin IshaqIbn Al-Salar, the governor of Alexandria and Behiera against him. He arrived at Cairo, ousted him and took over the ministry without the approval of Caliph Al-Zafir. Commander Abbas IbnAbi Al-Fotouhrebelled against Ibn Al-Salar and plotted to kill him; He took over the ministry and was called “Al-AfdalAbbas.”
Al-Afdal Abbas had a son named Nasr, who desired one day to kill his father! He inserted poison for him; Ibn Al-Taghri says: “His father knew and was careful, desiring to arrest his son but he could not, further prevented by Mu’ayyad Al-DawlaUssama… So his father began to comfort him and said: ‘Instead of killing me, kill Al-Zafir.’” Nasr’s maintained a strong relationship with Caliph Al-Zafir, asAl-Zafir laid trust in Nasr and used to go disguised to his house. But one night, NasrIbn Abbas betrayed his friend, Caliph Al-Zafir, killed him and threw him into a well! When minister Al-Afdal Abbas was informed about this, he brought the caliph’s two brothers and nephew and killed them all. Then he claimed that Al-Zafir boarded a boat, but it capsized and sank, and that was in 549 AH (1154 AD). As a result, the people of Cairo and the soldiers revolted, and they demanded revenge from the minister and his son, who both collected money and jewels and fled to the Levant to be arrested later at the hand of the Franks, they killed Abbas, followed by his son in the following year. However, some historians blamed Al-Zafir’s two brothers and cousin for his murder,yet the majority of them agreed that Nasr is the real murderer. And … Stories about beautiful Egypt never end!
The General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
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