Abdullah ibn al-Mu'tazz
Encyclopedia
Abdullah ibn al-Mu'tazz ( / ALA-LC: ‘Abd Allāh bin al-Mu‘utaz) was persuaded to assume the role of caliph
of the Abbasid dynasty following the premature death of al-Muktafi
. He succeeded in ruling for a single day and a single night, before he was forced into hiding, found, and then strangled in a palace intrigue that brought al-Muqtadir
, then thirteen years old, to the throne. Ibn al-Mu'tazz is best known, not as a political figure, but as a leading Arabic poet
and the author of the Kitab al-Badi, an early study of Arabic forms of poetry
. This is considered one of the earliest works in Arabic literary theory
and literary criticism
.
Born to privilege as the great-great-grandson of Harun al-Rashid
, ibn al-Mu'tazz had a tragic childhood in the Byzantine intrigues of the Abbasid caliphate. His grandfather, the caliph al-Mutawakkil
, was assassinated when ibn al-Mu'tazz was only six weeks old, and eight years later his father, Caliph al-Mu'tazz
was also murdered. The boy was spared the purge of the palace by fleeing to Mecca
with his grandmother.
Upon returning to Baghdad soon after, he distanced himself from politics and lived the hedonistic life of a young prince. It was during this time that he wrote his poetry, devoted to the pleasures with which he was so familiar. His Kitab al-Badi, which was also composed at this time, laid the groundwork for future studies of poetry by Arabic scholars.
Despite his reluctance, ibn al-Mu'tazz was persuaded to assume the caliphate following the death of his cousin al-Muktafi. It was hoped that he would put an end to the intrigues that had plagued the dynasty for decades. The Vizier, however, favoured another descendant of al-Mu'tazz to assume the throne. Ibn al-Mu'tazz was forced from the palace and strangled. Almost prophetically, he had once written as a poet:
Caliph
The Caliph is the head of state in a Caliphate, and the title for the ruler of the Islamic Ummah, an Islamic community ruled by the Shari'ah. It is a transcribed version of the Arabic word which means "successor" or "representative"...
of the Abbasid dynasty following the premature death of al-Muktafi
Al-Muktafi
Al-Muktafi was the Abbasid Caliph in Baghdad from 902 to 908. He was the son of the previous Caliph, al-Mu'tadid, by a Turkish slave-girl. In command of ar Raqqah at the time of his father's death, he at once returned to the Capital, where he became a favorite of the people for his generosity,...
. He succeeded in ruling for a single day and a single night, before he was forced into hiding, found, and then strangled in a palace intrigue that brought al-Muqtadir
Al-Muqtadir
Al-Muqtadir was the Abbasid Caliph in Baghdad from 908 AD to 932 AD .After the previous Caliph, al-Muktafi, was confined for several months to his sick-bed, intrigue was made for some time as to his successor...
, then thirteen years old, to the throne. Ibn al-Mu'tazz is best known, not as a political figure, but as a leading Arabic poet
Arabic poetry
Arabic poetry is the earliest form of Arabic literature. Present knowledge of poetry in Arabic dates from the 6th century, but oral poetry is believed to predate that. Arabic poetry is categorized into two main types, rhymed, or measured, and prose, with the former greatly preceding the latter...
and the author of the Kitab al-Badi, an early study of Arabic forms of poetry
Arabic poetry
Arabic poetry is the earliest form of Arabic literature. Present knowledge of poetry in Arabic dates from the 6th century, but oral poetry is believed to predate that. Arabic poetry is categorized into two main types, rhymed, or measured, and prose, with the former greatly preceding the latter...
. This is considered one of the earliest works in Arabic literary theory
Literary theory
Literary theory in a strict sense is the systematic study of the nature of literature and of the methods for analyzing literature. However, literary scholarship since the 19th century often includes—in addition to, or even instead of literary theory in the strict sense—considerations of...
and literary criticism
Literary criticism
Literary criticism is the study, evaluation, and interpretation of literature. Modern literary criticism is often informed by literary theory, which is the philosophical discussion of its methods and goals...
.
Born to privilege as the great-great-grandson of Harun al-Rashid
Harun al-Rashid
Hārūn al-Rashīd was the fifth Arab Abbasid Caliph in Iraq. He was born in Rey, Iran, close to modern Tehran. His birth date remains a point of discussion, though, as various sources give the dates from 763 to 766)....
, ibn al-Mu'tazz had a tragic childhood in the Byzantine intrigues of the Abbasid caliphate. His grandfather, the caliph al-Mutawakkil
Al-Mutawakkil
Al-Mutawakkil ʻAlā Allāh Jaʻfar ibn al-Muʻtasim was an Abbasid caliph who reigned in Samarra from 847 until 861...
, was assassinated when ibn al-Mu'tazz was only six weeks old, and eight years later his father, Caliph al-Mu'tazz
Al-Mu'tazz
Al-Mu'tazz was the title of the Abbasid Caliph in Baghdad from 866 to 869. Placed upon the throne by the Turks, he proved but too apt a pupil of his Turkish masters.He became the caliph at 19 he was the youngest Abbasaid Caliph to assume power. He was surrounded by parties each jealous of the other...
was also murdered. The boy was spared the purge of the palace by fleeing to Mecca
Mecca
Mecca is a city in the Hijaz and the capital of Makkah province in Saudi Arabia. The city is located inland from Jeddah in a narrow valley at a height of above sea level...
with his grandmother.
Upon returning to Baghdad soon after, he distanced himself from politics and lived the hedonistic life of a young prince. It was during this time that he wrote his poetry, devoted to the pleasures with which he was so familiar. His Kitab al-Badi, which was also composed at this time, laid the groundwork for future studies of poetry by Arabic scholars.
Despite his reluctance, ibn al-Mu'tazz was persuaded to assume the caliphate following the death of his cousin al-Muktafi. It was hoped that he would put an end to the intrigues that had plagued the dynasty for decades. The Vizier, however, favoured another descendant of al-Mu'tazz to assume the throne. Ibn al-Mu'tazz was forced from the palace and strangled. Almost prophetically, he had once written as a poet:
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- A wonderful night, but so short
- I brought it to life, then strangled it.
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Further reading
- G.B.H. Wightman and A.Y. al-Udhari, Birds through a Ceiling of Alabaster: Three Abbasid Poets, Penguin Books, 1975 (ISBN 0-14-044305-3).