Al-Mutawakkil Ahmad bin Sulayman
Encyclopedia
Al-Mutawakkil Ahmad bin Sulayman (1106 - 1171) was an imam
of the Zaidi
state in Yemen
who revived the polity after a long interregnum
, wielding power in 1138-1171.
(d. 934). His mother was Malikah binti Abdallah, an eight-generation descendant of the Zaidi founding figure al-Qasim ar-Rassi (d. 860). Since the violent death of al-Muhtasib al-Mujahid Hamzah
in 1066, no new imam had been appointed in the Zaydiyyah community of the northern Yemeni highlands. The dominating political power in Yemen in the late 11th and early 12th centuries was the Ismailite Sulayhids
, whose last important representative was Queen Arwa al-Sulayhi
(d. 1137). Meanwhile, the Tihamah
lowland was ruled by a Sunni dynasty in Zabid
, the Najahids. The most important city in the highland, San'a was ruled by the Hatimid sultans. In the year after Queen Arwa's death, in 1138, Ahmad was acknowledged as imam under the title al-Mutawakkil Ahmad. His early base was in the far north, in Sa'dah
, Najran
and Jawf
. He was considered a political and religious figure of genuine stature. In 1151 a large congregation gathered and spent eight days testing his qualifications for the imamate, including physical fitness, right descent, religious doctrinal learning, etc.
, the Mahdids, appeared on the scene. From his base in the mountains adjoining the northern Tihamah
, their leader Ali bin Mahdi attacked the lowland. In 1157 he besieged the Najahid capital Zabid. The population, driven to desperation, sought assistance from al-Mutawakkil Ahmad and promised to acknowledge him as their prince. Actually the imam entered Zabid with a force. The last Najahid ruler Fatiq III was alleged to be a passive sodomite and a masturbator
. According to one account the strict imam ordered Fatiq executed on account of his homosexuality
, although he offered to pay an enormous ransom. According to another version, the slave soldiers of the Najahids rose and executed their master. Al-Mutawakkil Ahmad was only able to stay in Zabid for a brief time in 1158. He then withdrew to the highland, leaving the city to its own fate. Zabid was soon captured by Ali bin Mahdi. The Mahdids, however, could only maintain power in lowland Yemen until 1173, when they were superseded by the Ayyubids. In his later years, al-Mutawakkil Ahmad had to contest the rule of Sultan Ali bin Hatim in San'a. The sultan was even able to conquer Sa'dah, the traditional centre of Zaidi rule, for a while. Towards the end of his life, the imam became blind. He passed away in 1171 and was buried in Haidan.
Imam
An imam is an Islamic leadership position, often the worship leader of a mosque and the Muslim community. Similar to spiritual leaders, the imam is the one who leads Islamic worship services. More often, the community turns to the mosque imam if they have a religious question...
of the Zaidi
Zaidiyyah
Zaidiyya, or Zaidism is a Shi'a Muslim school of thought named after Zayd ibn ʻAlī, the grandson of Husayn ibn ʻAlī. Followers of the Zaydi Islamic jurisprudence are called Zaydi Shi'a...
state in Yemen
Yemen
The Republic of Yemen , commonly known as Yemen , is a country located in the Middle East, occupying the southwestern to southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the north, the Red Sea to the west, and Oman to the east....
who revived the polity after a long interregnum
Interregnum
An interregnum is a period of discontinuity or "gap" in a government, organization, or social order...
, wielding power in 1138-1171.
Rise to the imamate
Ahmad bin Sulayman was a fifth-generation descendant of the imam an-Nasir AhmadAn-Nasir Ahmad
An-Nasir Ahmad was the third imam of the Zaidi state in Yemen. Through his active leadership he confirmed and expanded the polity founded by his two predecessors.-Early years and succession:...
(d. 934). His mother was Malikah binti Abdallah, an eight-generation descendant of the Zaidi founding figure al-Qasim ar-Rassi (d. 860). Since the violent death of al-Muhtasib al-Mujahid Hamzah
Al-Muhtasib al-Mujahid Hamzah
Al-Muhtasib al-Mujahid Hamzah was an imam of the Zaidi state in Yemen who ruled in 1060-1066.Hamzah was the son of the imam Abu Hashim al-Hasan, and assisted his father when he proclaimed his da'wa in 1031. After the death of imam Abu'l-Fath an-Nasir ad-Dailami in 1053 at the battle of...
in 1066, no new imam had been appointed in the Zaydiyyah community of the northern Yemeni highlands. The dominating political power in Yemen in the late 11th and early 12th centuries was the Ismailite Sulayhids
Sulaihid State
The Sulaihid State was a Yemeni Ismaili Shia dynasty founded by Ali ibn Muhammad al-Sulaihi.The Sulaihid Dynasty was an autonomous satellite state of the Fatimid Caliphate and throughout its existence was a constant enemy of the Zaydi Shia of Yemen....
, whose last important representative was Queen Arwa al-Sulayhi
Arwa al-Sulayhi
Arwa al-Sulayhi c. 1048–1138,death:22nd Shabaan,532 AH) was the long-reigning ruler of Yemen, firstly through her first two husbands and then as sole ruler, from 1067 until her death in 1138...
(d. 1137). Meanwhile, the Tihamah
Tihamah
Tihamah or Tihama is a narrow coastal region of Arabia on the Red Sea. It is currently divided between Saudi Arabia and Yemen. In a broad sense, Tihamah refers to the entire coastline from the Gulf of Aqaba to the Bab el Mandeb Strait but it more often refers only to its southern half, starting...
lowland was ruled by a Sunni dynasty in Zabid
Zabid
Zabid is a town with an urban population of around 23,000 persons on Yemen's western coastal plain. The town, named after Wadi Zabid, the wadi to its south, is one of the oldest towns in Yemen...
, the Najahids. The most important city in the highland, San'a was ruled by the Hatimid sultans. In the year after Queen Arwa's death, in 1138, Ahmad was acknowledged as imam under the title al-Mutawakkil Ahmad. His early base was in the far north, in Sa'dah
Sa'dah
Sa`dah is the capital city of Saada Governorate in north-western Yemen. It is located at , at an elevation of about 1,800 meters. Known in antiquity as Karna, its population in 2004 was estimated at 51,870.- External links :*...
, Najran
Najran
Najran , formerly known as Aba as Sa'ud, is a city in southwestern Saudi Arabia near the border with Yemen. It is the capital of Najran Province. Designated a New town, Najran is one of the fastest-growing cities in the kingdom; its population has risen from 47,500 in 1974 and 90,983 in 1992 to...
and Jawf
Al Jawf Governorate
Al Jawf is a governorate of Yemen.-Districts:*Al Ghayl District*Al Hazm District*Al Humaydat District*Al Khalq District*Al Maslub District*Al Matammah District*Al Maton District*Az Zahir District*Bart Al Anan District*Khabb wa ash Sha'af District...
. He was considered a political and religious figure of genuine stature. In 1151 a large congregation gathered and spent eight days testing his qualifications for the imamate, including physical fitness, right descent, religious doctrinal learning, etc.
Fighting against Hatimids and Qarmatians
His political activities spread much wider than the pre-1066 imams. In the beginning of his reign, the Zaidi positions were pushed back by the sultan of San'a, Hamid ad-Dawlah Hatim. However, in 1150 the imam retaliated. Hamid ad-Dawlah was unable to withstand the tribesmen who supported al-Mutawakkil Ahmad, and was defeated in battle near San'a. The sultan capitulated and was permitted to withdraw from the city with the remnants of his forces. Nevertheless, the Zaidi tribesmen returned to their homes after the victory, and the imam was unable to remain in San'a. In 1154 the imam marched against the Qarmatian tribe Yam. The land was plundered and ravaged by the Zaidi troops, and the remnants of the population sought protection in Najran.Intervention in the Tihamah
Meawhile, a new dynastic regime from HimyarHimyar
The Himyarite Kingdom or Himyar , historically referred to as the Homerite Kingdom by the Greeks and the Romans, was a kingdom in ancient Yemen. Established in 110 BC, it took as its capital the modern day city of Sana'a after the ancient city of Zafar...
, the Mahdids, appeared on the scene. From his base in the mountains adjoining the northern Tihamah
Tihamah
Tihamah or Tihama is a narrow coastal region of Arabia on the Red Sea. It is currently divided between Saudi Arabia and Yemen. In a broad sense, Tihamah refers to the entire coastline from the Gulf of Aqaba to the Bab el Mandeb Strait but it more often refers only to its southern half, starting...
, their leader Ali bin Mahdi attacked the lowland. In 1157 he besieged the Najahid capital Zabid. The population, driven to desperation, sought assistance from al-Mutawakkil Ahmad and promised to acknowledge him as their prince. Actually the imam entered Zabid with a force. The last Najahid ruler Fatiq III was alleged to be a passive sodomite and a masturbator
Masturbation
Masturbation refers to sexual stimulation of a person's own genitals, usually to the point of orgasm. The stimulation can be performed manually, by use of objects or tools, or by some combination of these methods. Masturbation is a common form of autoeroticism...
. According to one account the strict imam ordered Fatiq executed on account of his homosexuality
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
, although he offered to pay an enormous ransom. According to another version, the slave soldiers of the Najahids rose and executed their master. Al-Mutawakkil Ahmad was only able to stay in Zabid for a brief time in 1158. He then withdrew to the highland, leaving the city to its own fate. Zabid was soon captured by Ali bin Mahdi. The Mahdids, however, could only maintain power in lowland Yemen until 1173, when they were superseded by the Ayyubids. In his later years, al-Mutawakkil Ahmad had to contest the rule of Sultan Ali bin Hatim in San'a. The sultan was even able to conquer Sa'dah, the traditional centre of Zaidi rule, for a while. Towards the end of his life, the imam became blind. He passed away in 1171 and was buried in Haidan.