The Breakup of the Abbasid Caliphate and the Rise of Other Muslim States: An Analysis

Summary

The ‘Abbasid caliphate experienced periods of unity and stability, yet there were many difficulties faced by the ‘Abbasids during this period, including Iranian rebels, the Saffarids, and a large slave revolt by the Zanj population. Eventually, in 945, Ahmad ibn Buya took Baghdad and became amr al-umar’ with the ruling name of Mu’izz al-Dawla, controlling Iraq from western Iran for a century. The breakup of the ‘Abbasid caliphate was due to its size, with local societies being too different and communication being slow. Other Muslim states like the Tulumids in Egypt and the Fatimids represented the only serious attempt at a salvationist revival after the early ‘Abbasids. They ruled over all of North Africa and Egypt for over two hundred and fifty years.

Table of Contents

• The Challenges faced by the ‘Abbasids
• The Breakup of the Abbasid Caliphate
• The Rise of other Muslim States
• The Fatimids
• Al-Andalus and Its Significance

Q&A

The Challenges faced by the ‘Abbasids

Q1: What were the major challenges faced by the ‘Abbasids during their period of rule?

The major challenges faced by the ‘Abbasids during their period of rule included the Iranian rebels, the Saffarids, who defeated the Tahirids and marched on Iraq between 867 and 873. Similarly, the Turkish governor of Egypt, Ahmad ibn Tulun, extended his power into Syria and Palestine and did not pay much tax to Iraq. Only in Iraq were the ‘Abbasids able to exercise fiscal control, but they faced a large slave revolt by the Zanj population, African slaves who maintained the irrigation system, which lasted from 869 to 883. Additionally, there were bedouin raids from the Arabian desert, and governors in Syria and Egypt who stopped paying taxes.

Q2: Why did the ‘Abbasids face financial difficulties in the 9th century?

The ‘Abbasids were short of money until the mid-880s and had to fight constantly to keep on top of events. The reasons for this were because they faced major difficulties in Iraq with the Zanj revolt and their fiscal grip was slipping in other regions.

The Breakup of the Abbasid Caliphate

Q3: What was the reason for the breakup of the ‘Abbasid Caliphate?

The breakup of the ‘Abbasid caliphate was due to its size, with local societies being too different and communication being slow. Unlike in the Romano-Germanic kingdoms, the new ruling groups were not concerned with making themselves into a landowning aristocracy. Instead, they held positions in the state as political power and wealth were most reliably obtained through positions in the state. However, the provincial societies were also a significant factor in the ‘Abbasid caliphate’s breakup, with local social leaders being diverse and local power-broking families playing a crucial role in collecting taxes.

Q4: Who was responsible for the final destruction of the ‘Abbasid Caliphate?

In 945, Ahmad ibn Buya took Baghdad and became amr al-umar’ with the ruling name of Mu’izz al-Dawla, controlling Iraq from western Iran for a century. This marked the end of the ‘Abbasid Caliphate.

The Rise of other Muslim States

Q5: Why were other Muslim states able to rise during the same period when the ‘Abbasids were in power?

Other Muslim states were able to rise during the same period of the ‘Abbasids because of the political fragmentation of the caliphate. The breakup of the ‘Abbasid caliphate was due to its size, with local societies being too different and communication being slow. Thus, provincial societies were also a significant factor in the ‘Abbasid caliphate’s breakup, with local social leaders being diverse and local power-broking families playing a crucial role in collecting taxes. This allowed smaller, more localised Muslim states like the Fatimids and Tulumids to rise and expand their power.

Q6: How did the Tulumids in Egypt establish their power and control?

The Tulumids in Egypt were able to put down roots and negotiate with their subjects, despite a separation between the “state class” and local societies. This allowed them to establish their power and control over Egypt and Syria.

The Fatimids

Q7: Who were the Fatimids and how did they establish their rule over North Africa and Egypt?

The Fatimids were a Shi’ite Islamic dynasty and the most successful of the tenth-century Muslim states. They represented the only serious attempt at a salvationist revival after the early ‘Abbasids. They ruled over all of North Africa and Egypt for over two hundred and fifty years. Their success was due to the Kutama Berber army, who were good fighters and formed the core of the Fatimid army until the end.

Q8: How was the Fatimid court and army different from their peers elsewhere in the Islamic world?

The Fatimids were not exactly the same as their peers elsewhere in the Islamic world. As a secretive sect with esoteric and abstract Neoplatonist elements, their court and army were isolated among an ocean of Sunnis, Coptic Christians and Jews, and caliphs could continue to have messianic dreams.

Al-Andalus and Its Significance

Q9: What was Al-Andalus, and why is it significant?

Al-Andalus was the name given to Muslim Spain during the medieval period. It was significant because it represented an important migration point for Muslims and became one of the major Islamic powers until the end of the Middle Ages.

Q10: How did Al-Andalus develop during its period of Muslim rule?

Al-Andalus was heavily decentralised with a simpler, more artisanal economy during its period of Muslim rule. There was also a Muslim landed aristocracy, little fiscal control, and political fragmentation. However, it slowly developed an administrative system resembling that of the ‘Abbasid heartland, with patronage of eastern scholars and crystallisation of an ‘ulam’. The population was slowly converting to Islam, and Christians and Jews remained influential in Andalusi culture. However, political leaders and major political centres were mostly Muslim.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the breakup of the ‘Abbasid caliphate allowed other smaller, more localised Muslim states like the Fatimids and Tulumids to rise and establish their power and control. These states were able to put down roots and negotiate with their subjects, despite the difficulties faced by the ‘Abbasids during their period of rule. The ‘Abbasid caliphate’s breakup was due to its size, with local societies being too different and communication being slow. This allowed local social leaders to become diverse and local power-broking families to play a crucial role in collecting taxes. The success of the other Muslim states like the Fatimids and the Tulumids was due to their ability to negotiate with their subjects and establish their power through political decentralisation.