The Fatimid Caliphate and the Ismalili dawa : from the appointment of Mustali to the suppression of the dynasty

• Main Author: Ladak, Hussain Akberali
• Published: SOAS, University of London 1971
• Subjects: 950
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.318483

The present thesis is a study of the later phase of the Fätimid Caliphate and the IsmD-ili daywa, from the death of al-Mustansir to the suppression of the dynasty in 567/1171. It consists of an Introduction and six chapters. The first chapter introduces, in a broad outline, the earlier history and movement of the Fätimids, upto the year 466/1074. Chapter II examines the events of the last two decades of al-Mustansir's reign and the problem of succession arising at his death in 487/1094. Two points are observed in particular: One, in the now militarised Fätimid State the Ismäl, ili Imam-Caliph is losing his original power and strength. Two, this militarised administration will be the central feature of the Fätimid regime for the rest of its history. Chapter III is devoted to the Musta'lian- Nizäri split in the Ismä'Ili da'wa. It studies this important issue through available Ismä"ili literature.In Chapter IV is considered the history of the caliphs, al-Musta''li and al-Amir and the Fätimid state in decline. In the newly established military administration the Fatimid caliph was giving place to his wazlr al-sayf - both in the realm of politics and in the field of da''wa. Chapter V is concerned with the interregnum and rupture of 524-526/1130-1132. It investigates into two central problems of this confused period of the Fäjimid dynasty - the regency of al-Häfiz, and the origin of Tayyibi Ismä~ilism. Chapter VI deals with the last years of the Fätimids. It examines the nature of the Fätimid military; investigates political status and religious claim of the last caliphs upto their suppression in 567/1171.