An-Nasir Muhammad bin Abdallah
Encyclopedia
An-Nasir Muhammad bin Abdallah (November 3, 1196 - December 1, 1226) was an imam
of part of the Zaidi
state in Yemen
, who ruled in 1217-1226 in rivalry with a contender.
as the son of the imam al-Mansur Abdallah
, who died in 1217 after a lengthy struggle against the encroaching Ayyubids. A sub-branch of the Ayyubid Dynasty had been established as the main political power in Yemen since 1173. After the death of a-Mansur in Kawkaban
, Izz ad-Din Muhammad was proclaimed as imam under the name an-Nasir Muhammad. However, he was just an imam muhtasib, meaning that he was only qualified to protect the community, but not to lead the public prayer or pass legal sentences. Moreover, the Ayyubids renewed their military offensive after al-Mansur's demise. The troops of Sultan al-Malik al-Ma'sud marched into San'a, Zahir, Huth
and Jawf
in 1217-1218. In 1220 the sultan made a treaty with an-Nasir Muhammad's faction. There was furthermore dissention within the Zaidi camp. An-Nasir Muhammad was only acknowledged in the southern parts of the Zaidi territory in the Yemeni highlands. Al-Hadi Yahya
, from another branch of the Rassids
, kept power as imam in Sa'dah
in the north.
and brothers Badr ad-Din and Nur ad-Din, later to found the Rasulid Dynasty, collected an army to resist him, as representatives of the Ayyubid ruler al-Mas'ud Yusuf. A violent battle was fought near San'a on 23 July. Badr ad-Din took a prominent part in the fighting, that lasted until the night. The Zaidi defeat was complete. An-Nasir Muhammad, who was wounded by an arrow in the eye, rode with the survivors to Thula
, as fast as his horse could carry him. After the defeat, only 40 cavalrymen and their retainers survived under the imam's banner. He died in Huth later in the year. An-Nasir Muhammad had several brothers who played an important role in Yemeni history until the late 13th century, most prominently Shams ad-Din Ahmad (d. 1258) and Sarim ad-Din Da'ud (d. 1290).
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 part 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 ruled in 1217-1226 in rivalry with a contender.
Appointment as imam muhtasib
Izz ad-Din Muhammad was born in BaraqishBaraqish
Baraqish or Barakish is a town in northwestern Yemen. It is located at around . It was known to the Greeks and Romans as Athlula , from the ancient Sabaean YTL. A Roman army passed through it during the 20s B.C., under the command of Aelius Gallus. The tomb of a Roman cavalryman, P. Cornelius, has...
as the son of the imam al-Mansur Abdallah
Al-Mansur Abdallah
Al-Mansur Abdallah , was an imam of the Zaidi state in Yemen who held the imamate from 1187 to 1217.-Background:...
, who died in 1217 after a lengthy struggle against the encroaching Ayyubids. A sub-branch of the Ayyubid Dynasty had been established as the main political power in Yemen since 1173. After the death of a-Mansur in Kawkaban
Kawkaban
Kawkaban is a town midway between Sana'a and Al-Mahweet. It is of particular historical importance for the Zaidiyyah, having been a stronghold for Yemeni kings due to its advantageous position. It is situated atop a plateau at 2750m above sea level. The sole entrance to the town is via a single...
, Izz ad-Din Muhammad was proclaimed as imam under the name an-Nasir Muhammad. However, he was just an imam muhtasib, meaning that he was only qualified to protect the community, but not to lead the public prayer or pass legal sentences. Moreover, the Ayyubids renewed their military offensive after al-Mansur's demise. The troops of Sultan al-Malik al-Ma'sud marched into San'a, Zahir, Huth
Huth, Yemen
Huth is a village in western central Yemen. It is located in the San‘a’ Governorate.-External links:*...
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...
in 1217-1218. In 1220 the sultan made a treaty with an-Nasir Muhammad's faction. There was furthermore dissention within the Zaidi camp. An-Nasir Muhammad was only acknowledged in the southern parts of the Zaidi territory in the Yemeni highlands. Al-Hadi Yahya
Al-Hadi Yahya
Al-Hadi Yahya was an imam of part of the Zaidi state in Yemen. He ruled from 1217 to 1239, partly in rivalry with a contender.Najm ad-Din Yahya bin Muhsin was a seventh-generation descendant of imam al-Mukhtar al-Qasim...
, from another branch of the Rassids
Rassids
The Imams of Yemen and later the Kings of Yemen were religiously consecrated leaders belonging to the Zaidiyyah branch of Shia Islam. They established a blend of religious and secular rule in parts of Yemen from 897. Their imamate endured under varying circumstances until the republican revolution...
, kept power as imam 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 :*...
in the north.
Defeat at the hands of the Ayyubids
In 1226, an-Nasir Muhammad marched against the Ayyubid-held San'a with 700 cavalry and 2,000 foot soldiers. The two emirsEmir
Emir , meaning "commander", "general", or "prince"; also transliterated as Amir, Aamir or Ameer) is a title of high office, used throughout the Muslim world...
and brothers Badr ad-Din and Nur ad-Din, later to found the Rasulid Dynasty, collected an army to resist him, as representatives of the Ayyubid ruler al-Mas'ud Yusuf. A violent battle was fought near San'a on 23 July. Badr ad-Din took a prominent part in the fighting, that lasted until the night. The Zaidi defeat was complete. An-Nasir Muhammad, who was wounded by an arrow in the eye, rode with the survivors to Thula
Thula
Thula is one of five towns in Yemen on the tentative UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. Dating to the Himyarite period, the town is very well-preserved and includes traditional houses and mosques.-World Heritage Status:...
, as fast as his horse could carry him. After the defeat, only 40 cavalrymen and their retainers survived under the imam's banner. He died in Huth later in the year. An-Nasir Muhammad had several brothers who played an important role in Yemeni history until the late 13th century, most prominently Shams ad-Din Ahmad (d. 1258) and Sarim ad-Din Da'ud (d. 1290).