No Result
View All Result
In the previous article, we spoke of caliph Mohammed al-Mahdi, the third of the Abbasids, his character, care for his subjects, the seditions his tenure witnessed: internally like the Rebellion of Syria, the Rebellion of Khorasan, and the Rebellion of the Apostates, as well as external crusades. Al-Mahdi appointed ministers to take part in governance. Likewise, we spoke of Eissa bin Luqman’s appointment by the caliph proconsul of Egypt. He was succeeded by Wadih al-Mansuri.
Wadih al-Mansuri (162 Hijri) (779 A.D.)
Wadih bin Abdullah al-Mansuri was appointed by Al-Mahdi proconsul of Egypt. Being very special to late Al-Mansur, Al-Mahdi’s father, he used to dispatch him on several missions for his bravery and strictness. When he took Egypt over, he treated the people harshly. So, they complained to the caliph who deposed him immediately. Thus, his tenure lasted for less than four months. Then came Mansur bin Yazid.
Mansur bin Yazid (162 Hijri) (779 A.D.)
Mansur bin Yazid bin Abdullah al-Ru’ayni was Al-Mahdi’s cousin. Al-Mahdi appointed him proconsul of Egypt. Yet, he deposed him in the self-same year: after less than three months, and appointed Yahya bin Dawoud in his stead.
Thus, throughout two years (161-162 Hijri) (778-779 A.D.), Egypt witnessed the appointment and dismissal of five proconsuls, namely, Mussa bin Ali, Eissa bin Luqman, Wadih al-Mansuri, Mansur bin Yazid, and Yahya bin Dawoud. This testifies to the turbulent state of the country.
Yahya bin Dawoud (162-164 Hijri) (779-780 A.D.)
He was born in Khorasan. His name was Yahya bin Dawoud (aka. Ibn Mamdud al-Amir Abu Saleh of Khorasan). Al-Mahdi appointed him proconsul of Egypt after deposing Mansur bin Yazid. He ruled the country strictly and firmly. When Abu Saleh took over, the country was terribly insecure. The roads were unsafe due to the presence of assaulters. He combated and defeated them, which made Egyptians respect him. Taghribirdi asserts that, “He was the strictest of rulers, most fearful, bloodthirsty, and keenest on penalizing people. Egyptians rejoiced for his deposition. Had it not been for his excessive firmness, he would have been the best of Egypt’s proconsuls.” His tenure was the most secure. So much so that he prohibited people from closing down roads and gates. They would even close their shops and windows with pieces of sugar cane to prevent animals from entering at night. He used to say, “I shall retrieve whatever you lose.” Likewise, he prohibited guarding public baths, saying, “If anyone loses anything, I shall compensate it from my own pocket.” Men would go bathing, leaving their clothes in a special place. They would come out to find their clothes safe and sound. Though security prevailed during his tenure, Egyptians suffered a lot. He ruled Egypt for about thirteen months, after which al-Mahdi deposed him and appointed Salim bin Sawadah in his stead.
Salim bin Sawadah (164-165 Hijri) (780-781 A.D.)
Salim bin Sawadah of Tamim ruled Egypt for about a year. His tenure witnessed lots of wars in Egypt and Morocco. He mobilized Egyptian troops and sent them to Barca. Yet, they returned without fighting, after knowing of the sedition amidst Barbarians. Ibrahim bin Saleh took over after bin Sawadah was deposed.
Ibrahim bin Saleh (165-167 Hijri) (781-784 A.D.)
He is al-Mahdi’s cousin. His name in full is Ibrahim bin Saleh bin Abdullah bin al-Abbas, the Hashemite. During his tenure, a person called Dehiya bin Mus’ab bin al-Asbagh appeared in Upper Egypt and made himself caliph. Ibrahim did not care about him. So much so that Dehiya became quite powerful, and Upper Egyptians followed him. Dehiya almost took Egypt over. Al-Mahdi was upset to hear this news. So, he deposed Ibrahim in 167 Hijri, confiscated his property, and withdrew his assistants 350,000 dinars. Ibrahim ruled Egypt for almost three years.
Mussa bin Mus’ab (167-168 Hijri) (784-785 A.D.)
His full name is Mussa bin Mus’ab bin al-Rabi’ of Khat’am. Al-Mahdi appointed him proconsul of Egypt after deposing Ibrahim bin Saleh. When Mussa arrived in Egypt, he told Ibrahim that the caliph decreed that all his property be confiscated. So, he took the previously mentioned sum from him and his assistants, ordering him to go to Baghdad. Mussa imposed more taxes on Egyptians. He also taxed sellers and animals. He was strict at collecting taxes. Thus, Egyptians fell into great tribulation. They hated him. Likewise, he was disreputable. He took bribes to issue certain directives. He mobilized troops to fight Dehiya, after which he fought Qays and Al-Yamaniya. Upon meeting in battle, the troops gave in to defeat, and gave him to the enemy to kill him. Egyptians did not defend him. He was one of the worst of Egypt’s rulers, being unjust and despotic. Prior going to war, he had handed over the country’s affairs to Assama bin Amr. Mussa ruled Egypt for about ten months.
Assama bin Amr (168-169 Hijri) (875 A.D.)
His full name is Assama bin Amr bin Alqamah. Mussa bin Mus’ab delegated the country’s affairs to him prior going to war. After Mussa had been killed, al-Mahdi appointed him proconsul of Egypt. He fought Dehiya, but the commanders of the two armies clashed together and killed each other. So, the troops returned in shame. It was not but a few months when Al-Fadl bin Saleh, the Abbasid took over, thus ousting Assama after about three months. Shortly afterwards, Al-Mahdi died.
At that time, Pope Mina I had already passed away in 776 A.D. St. Mark’s See was vacant for quite a while. Bishops convened to tackle this issue. Some people were nominated. Their names were written and placed in the sanctuary. Prayers were conducted to beseech God to guide to whoever shall take up this great responsibility. Then, a child was brought over to choose one of the names to be the patriarch. One of the senior deacons mentioned the name of a monk called John who wasPope Khail’s disciple. So, it was added to the other names. After prayers, the child grabbed the paper that bore his name. This was repeated thrice. So, it was presented to be that of the Pope of St. Mark’s See: Pope John, the forty-eighth patriarch of Alexandria.
Pope John (776-779 A.D.)
Pope John was contemporary to caliph Mohamed al-Mahdi. Due to his decency and unceasing charitable work, he won over the love of monarchs and rulers. So, they helped him build a church and residence, apart from decorating the church of Alexandria. He was trusted by everybody. So much so, that a famous physician wanted to ransack Copt churches then. Yet, the ruler did not approve due to his confidence in Pope John. It also came to pass that somebody wanted to defame the Pope. So, he told the proconsul that the Pope would take the State’s property and build churches on them. This man was soon exposed before the caliph who decreed finishing the church. Also, a sudden costliness struck the country. So, the Pope told Mark, his disciple, to help all the needy. He himself kept praying fervently that God might save Egypt from this tribulation. So was it, says the story… Stories never end in Beautiful Egypt.
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
No Result
View All Result
