Tarikh (al-Tabari) 3662
The death of Isma'il b. Ahmad al-Samani and the succession of his son Ahmad
خِلَافَةِ الْمُقْتَدِرِ بِاللَّهِ [295 - 320 هـ ] وَكَانَ السَّبَبُ فِي وِلَايَةِ الْمُقْتَدِرِ بِاللَّهِ الْخِلَافَةَ، وَهُوَ أَبُو الْفَضْلِ جَعْفَرُ بْنُ الْمُعْتَضِدِ، أَنَّ الْمُكْتَفِيَ لَمَّا ثَقُلَ فِي مَرَضِهِ أَفْكَرَ الْوَزِيرُ حِينَئِذٍ، وَهُوَ الْعَبَّاسُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ، فِيمَنْ يَصْلُحُ لِلْخِلَافَةِ، وَكَانَ عَادَتُهُ أَنْ يُسَايِرَهُ، إِذَا رَكِبَ إِلَى دَارِ الْخِلَافَةِ، وَاحِدٌ مِنْ هَؤُلَاءِ الْأَرْبَعَةِ الَّذِينَ يَتَوَلَّوْنَ الدَّوَاوِينَ، وَهُمْ: أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ دَاوُدَ بْنِ الْجَرَّاحِ، وَأَبُو الْحَسَنِ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدَانَ، وَأَبُو الْحَسَنِ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْفُرَاتِ، وَأَبُو الْحَسَنِ عَلِيُّ بْنُ عِيسَى، فَاسْتَشَارَ الْوَزِيرُ يَوْمًا مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ دَاوُدَ بْنِ الْجَرَّاحِ فِي ذَلِكَ، فَأَشَارَ بِعَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْمُعْتَزِّ، وَوَصَفَهُ بِالْعَقْلِ وَالْأَدَبِ وَالرَّأْيِ، وَاسْتَشَارَ بَعْدَهُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ بْنَ الْفُرَاتِ، فَقَالَ: هَذَا شَيْءٌ مَا جَرَتْ بِهِ عَادَتِي أُشِيرُ فِيهِ، وَإِنَّمَا أُشَاوِرُ فِي الْعُمَّالِ لَا فِي الْخُلَفَاءِ، فَغَضِبَ الْوَزِيرُ وَقَالَ: هَذِهِ مُقَاطَعَةٌ بَارِدَةٌ، وَلَيْسَ يَخْفَى عَلَيْكَ الصَّحِيحُ. وَأَلَحَّ عَلَيْهِ، فَقَالَ: إِنْ كَانَ رَأْيُ الْوَزِيرِ قَدِ اسْتَقَرَّ عَلَى أَحَدٍ يُعَيِّنُهُ فَلْيَفْعَلْ، فَعَلِمَ أَنَّهُ عَنَى ابْنَ الْمُعْتَزِّ لِاشْتِهَارِ خَبَرِهِ، فَقَالَ الْوَزِيرُ: لَا أَقْنَعُ إِلَّا أَنْ تَمْحَضَنِي النَّصِيحَةَ. فَقَالَ ابْنُ الْفُرَاتِ: فَلْيَتَّقِ اللَّهَ الْوَزِيرُ، وَلَا يُنَصِّبْ إِلَّا مَنْ قَدْ عَرَفَهُ، وَاطَّلَعَ عَلَى جَمِيعِ أَحْوَالِهِ، وَلَا يُنَصِّبْ بَخِيلًا فَيُضَيِّقَ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَيَقْطَعَ أَرْزَاقَهُمْ، وَلَا طَمَّاعًا فَيَشْرَهَ فِي أَمْوَالِهِمْ، فَيُصَادِرَهُمْ وَيَأْخُذَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ وَأَمْلَاكَهُمْ، وَلَا قَلِيلَ الدِّينِ فَلَا يَخَافُ الْعُقُوبَةَ وَالْآثَامَ، وَيَرْجُو الثَّوَابَ فِيمَا يَفْعَلُهُ، وَلَا يُوَلِّ مَنْ عَرَفَ نِعْمَةَ هَذَا، وَبُسْتَانَ هَذَا، وَضَيْعَةَ هَذَا، وَفَرَسَ هَذَا، وَمَنْ قَدْ لَقِيَ النَّاسَ وَلَقُوهُ، وَعَامَلَهُمْ وَعَامَلُوهُ، وَيَتَخَيَّلُ، وَيَحْسِبُ حِسَابَ نِعَمِ النَّاسِ، وَعَرَفَ وُجُوهَ دَخْلِهِمْ وَخَرْجِهِمْ. فَقَالَ الْوَزِيرُ: صَدَقْتَ وَنَصَحْتَ، فَبِمَنْ تُشِيرُ ؟ قَالَ: أَصْلَحُ الْمَوْجُودِ جَعْفَرُ بْنُ الْمُعْتَضِدِ، قَالَ: وَيْحَكَ، هُوَ صَبِيٌّ، قَالَ ابْنُ الْفُرَاتِ: إِلَّا أَنَّهُ ابْنُ الْمُعْتَضِدِ، وَلَمْ نَأْتِ بِرَجُلٍ كَامِلٍ يُبَاشِرُ الْأُمُورَ بِنَفْسِهِ، غَيْرِ مُحْتَاجٍ إِلَيْنَا. ثُمَّ إِنَّ الْوَزِيرَ اسْتَشَارَ عَلِيَّ بْنَ عِيسَى، فَلَمْ يُسَمِّ أَحَدًا، وَقَالَ: لَكِنْ يَنْبَغِي أَنْ يَتَّقِيَ اللَّهَ، وَيَنْظُرَ مَنْ يَصْلُحُ لِلدِّينِ وَالدُّنْيَا، فَمَالَتْ نَفْسُ الْوَزِيرِ إِلَى مَا أَشَارَ إِلَيْهِ بِهِ ابْنُ الْفُرَاتِ، وَانْضَافَ إِلَى ذَلِكَ وَصِيَّةُ الْمُكْتَفِي، فَإِنَّهُ أَوْصَى، لَمَّا اشْتَدَّ مَرَضُهُ، بِتَقْلِيدِ أَخِيهِ جَعْفَرٍ الْخِلَافَةَ، فَلَمَّا مَاتَ الْمُكْتَفِي نَصَّبَ الْوَزِيرُ جَعْفَرًا لِلْخِلَافَةِ، وَعَيَّنَهُ لَهَا، وَأَرْسَلَ صَافِيًا الْحُرَمِيَّ إِلَيْهِ لِيُحَذِّرَهُ مِنْ دُورِ آلِ طَاهِرٍ بِالْجَانِبِ الْغَرْبِيِّ وَكَانَ يَسْكُنُهَا، فَلَمَّا حَطَّهُ فِي الْحَرَّاقَةِ وَحَدَرَهُ، وَصَارَتِ الْحَرَّاقَةُ مُقَابِلَ دَارِ الْوَزِيرِ، صَاحَ غِلْمَانُ الْوَزِيرِ بِالْمَلَّاحِ لِيَدْخُلَ إِلَى دَارِ الْوَزِيرِ، فَظَنَّ صَافِي الْحُرَمِيُّ أَنَّ الْوَزِيرَ يُرِيدُ الْقَبْضَ عَلَى جَعْفَرٍ، وَيُنَصِّبُ فِي الْخِلَافَةِ غَيْرَهُ، فَمَنَعَ الْمَلَّاحَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ، وَسَارَ إِلَى دَارِ الْخِلَافَةِ، وَأَخَذَ لَهُ صَافِي الْبَيْعَةَ عَلَى الْخَدَمِ، وَحَاشِيَةِ الدَّارِ، وَلَقَّبَ نَفْسَهُ الْمُقْتَدِرَ بِاللَّهِ، وَلَحِقَ الْوَزِيرُ بِهِ وَجَمَاعَةُ الْكُتَّابِ فَبَايَعُوهُ، ثُمَّ جَهَّزُوا الْمُكْتَفِيَ وَدَفَنُوهُ بِدَارِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ طَاهِرٍ. وَلَمَّا بُويِعَ الْمُقْتَدِرُ كَانَ فِي بَيْتِ الْمَالِ، حِينَ بُويِعَ، خَمْسَةَ عَشَرَ أَلْفَ ( أَلْفِ ) دِينَارٍ، فَأَطْلَقَ يَدَ الْوَزِيرِ فِي بَيْتِ الْمَالِ فَأَخْرَجَ مِنْهُ حَقَّ الْبَيْعَةِ. وَكَانَ مَوْلِدُ الْمُقْتَدِرِ ثَامِنَ رَمَضَانَ سَنَةَ اثْنَتَيْنِ وَثَمَانِينَ وَمِائَتَيْنِ ، وَأُمُّهُ أُمُّ وَلَدٍ يُقَالُ لَهَا شَغَبُ، فَلَمَّا بُويِعَ اسْتَصْغَرَهُ الْوَزِيرُ، وَكَانَ عُمْرُهُ إِذْ ذَاكَ ثَلَاثَ عَشْرَةَ سَنَةً، وَكَثُرَ كَلَامُ النَّاسِ ( فِيهِ )، فَعَزَمَ عَلَى خَلْعِهِ، وَتَقْلِيدِ الْخِلَافَةِ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ الْمُعْتَمِدِ عَلَى اللَّهِ، وَكَانَ حَسَنَ السِّيرَةِ، ( جَمِيلَ الْوَجْهِ ) وَالْفِعْلِ، فَرَاسَلَهُ فِي ذَلِكَ، وَاسْتَقَرَّ الْحَالُ، وَانْتَظَرَ الْوَزِيرُ قُدُومَ بَارِسَ حَاجِبُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ صَاحِبِ خُرَاسَانَ، وَكَانَ قَدْ أَذِنَ لَهُ فِي الْقُدُومِ، كَمَا ذَكَرْنَاهُ، وَأَرَادَ الْوَزِيرُ [ أَنْ ] يَسْتَعِينَ بِهِ عَلَى ذَلِكَ، وَيَتَقَوَّى بِهِ عَلَى غِلْمَانِ الْمُعْتَضِدِ، فَتَأَخَّرَ بَارِسُ. وَاتَّفَقَ أَنَّهُ وَقَعَ بَيْنَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْمُعْتَمِدِ وَبَيْنَ ابْنِ عَمْرَوَيْهِ، صَاحِبِ الشُّرْطَةِ، ( مُنَازَعَةٌ ) فِي ضَيْعَةٍ مُشْتَرَكَةٍ بَيْنَهُمَا، فَأَغْلَظَ ابْنُ عَمْرَوَيْهِ، فَغَضِبَ ابْنُ الْمُعْتَمِدِ غَضَبًا شَدِيدًا، وَأُغْمِيَ عَلَيْهِ، وَفُلِجَ فِي الْمَجْلِسِ، فَحُمِلَ إِلَى ثِيَتِهِ فِي مِحَفَّةٍ، فَمَاتَ فِي الْيَوْمِ الثَّانِي، فَأَرَادَ الْوَزِيرُ الْبَيْعَةَ لِأَبِي الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ الْمُتَوَكِّلِ، فَمَاتَ أَيْضًا بَعْدَ خَمْسَةِ أَيَّامٍ، وَتَمَّ أَمْرُ الْمُقْتَدِرِ. وَعُمُرُهُ إِذْ ذَاكَ ثَلَاثَ عَشْرَةَ سَنَةً وَشَهْرٌ وَأَحَدٌ وَعِشْرُونَ يَوْمًا وَلَمْ يَلِ الْخِلَافَةَ أَحَدٌ قَبْلَهُ أَصْغَرَ سِنًّا مِنْهُ، وَلَمَّا أُجْلِسَ فِي مَنْصِبِ الْخِلَافَةِ صَلَّى أَرْبَعَ رَكَعَاتٍ ثُمَّ سَلَّمَ وَرَفَعَ صَوْتَهُ بِالدُّعَاءِ وَالِاسْتِخَارَةِ ثُمَّ بَايَعَهُ النَّاسُ بَيْعَةَ الْعَامَّةِ وَكُتِبَ اسْمُهُ عَلَى الرُّقُومِ وَغَيْرِهَا: الْمُقْتَدِرُ بِاللَّهِ. وَكَانَ فِي بَيْتِ مَالِ الْعَامَّةِ سِتُّمِائَةِ أَلْفِ دِينَارٍ وَنَيِّفٌ، وَكَانَتِ الْجَوَاهِرُ الثَّمِينَةُ فِي الْحَوَاصِلِ مِنْ لَدُنْ بَنَى أُمَيَّةَ وَأَيَّامِ بَنِي الْعَبَّاسِ قَدْ تَنَاهَى جَمْعُهَا فَمَا زَالَ يُفَرِّقُهَا فِي حَظَايَاهُ وَأَصْحَابِهِ حَتَّى أَنْفَدَهَا، وزراء المقتدر بالله وَقَدِ اسْتَوْزَرَ جَمَاعَةً مِنَ الْكُتَّابِ مِنْهُمْ: أَبُو أَحْمَدَ الْعَبَّاسُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ بَقِيَ فِي وِزَارَتِهِ أَرْبَعَةَ أَشْهُرٍ وَسَبْعَةَ أَيَّامٍ وَقُتِلَ، وَأَبُو الْحَسَنِ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْفُرَاتِ بَقِيَ ثَلَاثَ سِنِينَ وَثَمَانِيَةَ أَشْهُرٍ وَثَلَاثَةً وَعِشْرِينَ يَوْمًا، ثُمَّ قُبِضَ عَلَيْهِ وَحُبِسَ، ثُمَّ أُعِيدَ إِلَى الْوِزَارَةِ فَبَقِيَ سَنَةً وَخَمْسَةَ أَشْهُرٍ وَسَبْعَةَ عَشَرَ يَوْمًا، [ثُمَّ قُبِضَ عَلَيْهِ، ثُمَّ أُعِيدَ دَفْعُهُ ثَالِثَةً فَبَقِيَ عَشَرَةَ أَشْهُرٍ وَثَمَانِيَةَ عَشَرَ يَوْمًا]، ثُمَّ قُبِضَ عَلَيْهِ وَقُتِلَ. [وَاسْتَوْزَرَ] بَعْدَ مَدِيدَةٍ أَبُو عَلِيٍّ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ يَحْيَى بْنِ خَاقَانَ، بَقِيَ سَنَةً وَشَهْرًا وَخَمْسَةَ أَيَّامٍ، [وَقُبِضَ عَلَيْهِ. وَبَعْدَهُ] أَبُو الْحَسَنِ عَلِيُّ بْنُ عِيسَى بْنِ دَاوُدَ بْنِ الْجَرَّاحِ بَقِيَ ثَلَاثَ سِنِينَ وَعَشَرَةَ أَشْهُرٍ وَثَمَانِيَةَ عَشَرَ يَوْمًا، وَقُبِضَ عَلَيْهِ، ثُمَّ أُعِيدَ فَبَقِيَ سَنَةً وَأَرْبَعَةَ أَشْهُرٍ وَيَوْمَيْنِ وَقُبِضَ عَلَيْهِ، [وَبَعْدَهُ] أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ حَامِدُ بْنُ الْعَبَّاسِ بَقِيَ أَرْبَعَ سِنِينَ وَعَشَرَةَ أَشْهُرٍ وَأَرْبَعَةً وَعِشْرِينَ يَوْمًا، ثُمَّ قُبِضَ عَلَيْهِ وَقُتِلَ، [وَبَعْدَهُ] أَبُو الْقَاسِمِ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ يَحْيَى بْنِ خَاقَانَ بَقِيَ سَنَةً وَسِتَّةَ أَشْهُرٍ وَيَوْمَيْنِ، ثُمَّ قُبِضَ عَلَيْهِ، [وَبَعْدَهُ] أَبُو الْعَبَّاسِ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَحْمَدَ الْخَصِيبُ بَقِيَ سَنَةً وَشَهْرَيْنِ وَقُبِضَ عَلَيْهِ. [وَبَعْدَهُ] أَبُو عَلِيٍّ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مُقْلَةَ بَقِيَ سَنَتَيْنِ وَأَرْبَعَةَ أَشْهُرٍ وَثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ وَقُبِضَ عَلَيْهِ. [وَبَعْدَهُ] أَبُو الْقَاسِمِ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ الْكَلْوَاذِيُّ بَقِيَ شَهْرَيْنِ [وَثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ] وَقُبِضَ عَلَيْهِ [وَبَعْدَهُ] أَبُو الْقَاسِمِ سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مَخْلَدٍ بَقِيَ سَنَةً وَشَهْرَيْنِ وَتِسْعَةَ أَيَّامٍ وَقُبِضَ عَلَيْهِ [وَبَعْدَهُ] أَبُو عَلِيٍّ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بَقِيَ سَبْعَةَ أَشْهُرٍ وَقُبِضَ عَلَيْهِ. [وَبَعْدَهُ] أَبُو الْفَتْحِ الْفَضْلُ بْنُ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ الْفُرَاتِ بَقِيَ خَمْسَةَ أَشْهُرٍ وَتِسْعَةً وَعِشْرِينَ يَوْمًا وَقُتِلَ الْمُقْتَدِرُ بِاللَّهِ فَاسْتَتَرَ الْفَضْلُ. وَكَانَ لِلْمُقْتَدِرِ سِتَّةُ حُجَّابٍ، سَوْسَنُ [مَوْلَى الْمُكْتَفِي]، ثُمَّ نَصْرٌ الْقَشُورِيُّ، ثُمَّ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ نَصْرٍ الْقَشُورِيُّ، ثُمَّ يَاقُوتٌ، ثُمَّ مُحَمَّدٌ وَإِبْرَاهِيمُ ابْنَا رَائِقٍ. وَكَانَ أَطِبَّاؤُهُ سِنَانَ بْنَ ثَابِتٍ، وَبَخْتِيشُوعَ بْنَ يَحْيَى: وَرَدَّ الْمُقْتَدِرُ رُسُومَ الْخِلَافَةِ إِلَى مَا كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ التَّوَسُّعِ فِي الطَّعَامِ وَالْوَظَائِفِ، وَفَرَّقَ فِي بَنِي هَاشِمٍ عَشَرَةَ آلَافِ دِينَارٍ، وَتَصَدَّقَ فِي سَائِرِ النَّاسِ بِمِثْلِهَا، وَأَضْعَفَ لِبَنِي هَاشِمٍ أَرْزَاقَهُمْ. وَفَرَّقَ [فِي] يَوْمِ التَّرْوِيَةِ وَيَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ مِنَ الْبَقَرِ [وَالْغَنَمِ] ثَلَاثِينَ أَلْفَ رَأْسٍ، وَمِنَ الْإِبِلِ أَلْفَ رَأْسٍ، وَأَطْلَقَ أَهْلَ الْحُبُوسِ الَّذِينَ يَجُوزُ إِطْلَاقُهُمْ، وَأَمَرَ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ يُوسُفَ الْقَاضِيَ أَنْ يَنْظُرَ فِي أُمُورِ سَائِرِ النَّاسِ، وَكَانَتْ قَدْ بُنِيَتْ أَبْنِيَةٌ فِي الرَّحْبَةِ دَخْلُهَا فِي كُلِّ شَهْرٍ أَلْفُ دِينَارٍ فَأَمَرَ بِنَقْضِهَا لِيُوَسِّعَ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِينَ. وعن أَبُو بَكْرٍ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، قَالَ: خُلِعَ الْمُقْتَدِرُ فِي زَمَانِ خِلَافَتِهِ مَرَّتَيْنِ وَأُعِيدَ، فَأَمَّا الْمَرَّةُ الْأَوْلَى فَكَانَتْ بَعْدَ اسْتِخْلَافِهِ بِأَرْبَعَةِ أَشْهُرٍ وَسَبْعَةِ أَيَّامٍ، وَذَلِكَ عِنْدَ قَتْلِ الْعَبَّاسِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ الْوَزِيرِ وَفَاتِكٍ مَوْلَى الْمُعْتَضِدِ، وَاجْتِمَاعِ أَكْثَرِ النَّاسِ [بِبَغْدَادَ] عَلَى الْبَيْعَةِ لِأَبِي الْعَبَّاسِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْمُعْتَزِّ وَلَقَّبُوهُ الْمُرْتَضِيَ بِاللَّهِ، وَخُلِعَ الْمُقْتَدِرُ وَاحْتَجُّوا فِي ذَلِكَ بِصِغَرِ سِنِّهِ وَقُصُورِهِ عَنْ بُلُوغِ الْحُكْمِ، وَنَصَّبُوا ابْنَ الْمُعْتَزِّ يَوْمَ السَّبْتِ لِعَشْرٍ بَقِينَ مِنْ رَبِيعٍ الْأَوَّلِ سَنَةَ سِتٍّ وَتِسْعِينَ وَسَلَّمُوا عَلَيْهِ بِإِمْرَةِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ثُمَّ بَايَعُوا لَهُ بِالْخِلَافَةِ، ثُمَّ فَسَدَ الْأَمْرُ وَبَطَلَ مِنَ الْغَدِ وَثَبَتَ أَمْرُ الْمُقْتَدِرِ بِاللَّهِ، وَجُدِّدَتْ لَهُ الْبَيْعَةُ الثَّانِيَةُ فِي يَوْمِ الِاثْنَيْنِ، فَظَفِرَ بِعَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْمُعْتَزِّ فَقُتِلَ وَقَتَلَ جَمَاعَةً مِمَّنْ سَعَى فِي أَمْرِهِ، وَالْمَرَّةُ الثَّانِيَةُ فِي الْخَلْعِ: بَعْدَ إِحْدَى وَعِشْرِينَ سَنَةً وَشَهْرَيْنِ وَيَوْمَيْنِ مِنْ خِلَافَتِهِ، اجْتَمَعَ الْقُوَّادُ وَالْجُنْدُ وَالْأَكَابِرُ وَالْأَصَاغِرُ مَعَ مُؤْنِسٍ الْخَادِمِ وَنَازُوكَ عَلَى خَلْعِهِ فَقَهَرُوهُ وَخَلَعُوهُ، وَطَالَبُوهُ بِأَنْ يَكْتُبَ رُقْعَةً بِخَطِّهِ بِخَلْعِ نَفْسِهِ، فَفَعَلَ وَأَشْهَدَ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ بِذَلِكَ، وَأَحْضَرُوا مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ الْمُعْتَضِدِ [بِاللَّهِ] فَنَصَّبُوهُ وَسَمُّوهُ الْقَاهِرَ بِاللَّهِ وَسَلَّمُوا عَلَيْهِ بِإِمْرَةِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ، وَذَلِكَ يَوْمَ السَّبْتِ لِلنِّصْفِ مِنَ الْمُحَرَّمِ سَنَةَ سَبْعَ عَشْرَةَ وَثَلَاثِمِائَةٍ، فَأَقَامَ عَلَى ذَلِكَ يَوْمَ السَّبْتِ وَيَوْمَ الْأَحَدِ، فَلَمَّا كَانَ يَوْمُ الِاثْنَيْنِ اخْتَلَفَ الْجُنْدُ وَتَغَيَّرَ رَأْيُهُمْ وَوَثَبَ طَائِفَةٌ مِنْهُمْ عَلَى نَازُوكَ وَعَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ حَمْدَانَ الْمُكَنَّى بِأَبِي الْهَيْجَاءِ فَقَتَلُوهُمَا وَأُقِيمَ الْقَاهِرُ مِنْ مَجْلِسِ الْخِلَافَةِ وَأُعِيدَ الْمُقْتَدِرُ بِاللَّهِ إِلَى دَارِهِ، وَجُدِّدَتْ لَهُ بَيْعَةٌ، وَكَانَ قَدْ تَبَرَّأَ مِنَ الْأَمْرِ يَوْمَيْنِ وَبَعْضَ الثَّالِثِ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ وَقَعَ لِلْقَاهِرِ بَيْعَةٌ فِي رِقَابِ النَّاسِ.
Translation
✧ The Caliphate of al-Muqtadir billah [295 - 320 AH] The reason for the appointment of al-Muqtadir billah to the caliphate, and he is Abu al-Fadl Ja'far b. al-Mu'tadid, was that when al-Muktafi became gravely ill, the vizier at that time, al-'Abbas b. al-Hasan, deliberated about who was suitable for the caliphate. His custom was to converse with one of these four men who administered the dīwāns whenever he rode to the caliphal palace: Abu 'Abd Allah Muhammad b. Dawud b. al-Jarrah, Abu al-Hasan Muhammad b. 'Abdan, Abu al-Hasan 'Ali b. Muhammad b. al-Furat, and Abu al-Hasan 'Ali b. 'Isa. One day the vizier consulted Muhammad b. Dawud b. al-Jarrah about that matter, and he suggested 'Abd Allah b. al-Mu'tazz, describing him as possessing intellect, refinement, and sound judgment. Then he consulted Abu al-Hasan b. al-Furat, who said: "This is a matter about which it is not my custom to offer advice; I give counsel only about administrators, not about caliphs." The vizier became angry and said: "This is a cold evasion, and the correct course is not hidden from you." He pressed him, so he said: "If the vizier's opinion has settled on someone he would designate, let him do so." Then he realized that he meant Ibn al-Mu'tazz because his reputation was widely known. The vizier said: "I will not be content unless you give me sincere counsel." Ibn al-Furat said: "Let the vizier fear God and not appoint anyone except one whom he knows and has fully examined in all his circumstances. Let him not appoint a miser who would oppress the people and cut off their stipends; nor a greedy man who would covet their wealth, confiscate their property, and seize their money and estates; nor one of little religion who does not fear punishment and sin, and who hopes for reward in what he does. Let him not install one who knows the favor of this one, the orchard of that one, and the estate of this one, and the horse of that one; one who has met the people and they have met him, who has dealt with them and they have dealt with him, who imagines and calculates the favors of the people, and knows the sources of their income and expenditure." The vizier said: "You have spoken truly and given sincere counsel. Whom do you suggest?" He said: "The best available is Ja'far b. al-Mu'tadid." He said: "Woe to you! He is a boy." Ibn al-Furat said: "Except that he is the son of al-Mu'tadid, and we have not brought a fully capable man who would manage affairs himself without needing us." Then the vizier consulted 'Ali b. 'Isa, who named no one but said: "He should fear God and look for one suitable for religion and this world." The vizier's inclination turned to what Ibn al-Furat had suggested, and to that was added al-Muktafi's testament, for when his illness worsened he had bequeathed the caliphate to his brother Ja'far. When al-Muktafi died, the vizier installed Ja'far as caliph and designated him for it. He sent Safi al-Hurami to him to warn him against the palaces of the family of Tahir on the western side, where he was residing. When he placed him in the ḥarrāqah and conveyed him down, and the ḥarrāqah came opposite the vizier's palace, the vizier's servants shouted to the boatman to enter the vizier's palace. Safi al-Hurami thought that the vizier intended to seize Ja'far and install someone else in the caliphate, so he prevented the boatman from doing that and proceeded to the caliphal palace. Safi took the oath of allegiance for him from the servants and retinue of the palace. He titled himself al-Muqtadir billah. The vizier and a group of secretaries caught up with him and gave him allegiance. Then they prepared al-Muktafi's body and buried him in the palace of Muhammad b. Tahir. When al-Muqtadir received allegiance, there were at that time in the treasury, when allegiance was given, fifteen thousand thousand dinars. He gave the vizier free rein over the treasury, and he took out from it the customary payment for the oath of allegiance. Al-Muqtadir was born on the eighth of Ramadan in the year two hundred eighty-two. His mother was an umm walad called Shaghab. When he was given allegiance, the vizier considered him too young; his age then was thirteen years. People talked much about him, so the vizier resolved to depose him and entrust the caliphate to Abu 'Abd Allah Muhammad b. al-Mu'tamid 'ala Allah, who was of good conduct, handsome face, and good deeds. He corresponded with him about that, and the matter was settled. The vizier waited for the arrival of Baris, the chamberlain of Isma'il, the ruler of Khurasan, who had been permitted to come, as we have mentioned. The vizier wanted to seek his help in that matter and gain strength through him against the servants of al-Mu'tadid, but Baris was delayed. It happened that a dispute arose between Abu 'Abd Allah b. al-Mu'tamid and Ibn 'Amrawayh, the chief of police, over an estate they jointly owned. Ibn 'Amrawayh spoke harshly, and Ibn al-Mu'tamid became extremely angry, fainted, and suffered a stroke on the spot. He was carried to his residence in a litter and died the next day. The vizier then wanted allegiance for Abu al-Husayn b. al-Mutawakkil, but he also died five days later. Thus al-Muqtadir's rule was established. His age then was thirteen years, one month, and twenty-one days. No one before him had assumed the caliphate at a younger age. When he was seated in the office of the caliphate, he prayed four rak'ahs, then gave the salutation and raised his voice in supplication and seeking God's choice. Then the people gave him the general oath of allegiance, and his name was written on documents and other things: al-Muqtadir billah. In the public treasury there were six hundred thousand and some dinars, and precious jewels in the storerooms had been collected to their utmost since the time of the Umayyads and the days of the Banu al-'Abbas. He continued to distribute them among his favorites and companions until he exhausted them. The Viziers of al-Muqtadir billah He appointed as viziers a group of secretaries, among them: Abu Ahmad al-'Abbas b. al-Hasan, who remained in his vizierate four months and seven days and was killed; Abu al-Hasan 'Ali b. Muhammad b. al-Furat, who remained three years, eight months, and twenty-three days, then was arrested and imprisoned, then restored to the vizierate, remaining one year, five months, and seventeen days, then arrested, then restored a third time, remaining ten months and eighteen days, then arrested and killed. After a long while he appointed as vizier Abu 'Ali Muhammad b. 'Ubayd Allah b. Yahya b. Khaqan, who remained one year, one month, and five days and was arrested. After him Abu al-Hasan 'Ali b. 'Isa b. Dawud b. al-Jarrah, who remained three years, ten months, and eighteen days and was arrested, then restored, remaining one year, four months, and two days, and was arrested. After him Abu Muhammad Hamid b. al-'Abbas, who remained four years, ten months, and twenty-four days, then was arrested and killed. After him Abu al-Qasim 'Abd Allah b. Muhammad b. 'Ubayd Allah b. Yahya b. Khaqan, who remained one year, six months, and two days, then was arrested. After him Abu al-'Abbas Ahmad b. 'Ubayd Allah b. Ahmad al-Khasib, who remained one year and two months and was arrested. After him Abu 'Ali Muhammad b. 'Ali b. Muqlah, who remained two years, four months, and three days and was arrested. After him Abu al-Qasim 'Abd Allah b. Muhammad al-Kalwadhi, who remained two months and three days and was arrested. After him Abu al-Qasim Sulayman b. al-Hasan b. Makhlad, who remained one year, two months, and nine days and was arrested. After him Abu 'Ali al-Husayn b. al-Qasim b. 'Ubayd Allah, who remained seven months and was arrested. After him Abu al-Fath al-Fadl b. Ja'far b. al-Furat, who remained five months and twenty-nine days, then al-Muqtadir billah was killed and al-Fadl went into hiding. Al-Muqtadir had six chamberlains: Sawsan, the mawla of al-Muktafi; then Nasr al-Qushuri; then Ahmad b. Nasr al-Qushuri; then Yaqut; then Muhammad and Ibrahim, the sons of Ra'iq. His physicians were Sinan b. Thabit and Bakhtishu' b. Yahya. Al-Muqtadir restored the caliphal customs to what they had been in terms of lavish food and official allowances. He distributed ten thousand dinars among the Banu Hashim and gave a similar amount in charity to all other people, and he doubled the stipends of the Banu Hashim. On the Day of Tarwiyah and the Day of 'Arafah he distributed thirty thousand head of cattle and sheep and one thousand camels. He released those prisoners whose release was permissible and ordered Muhammad b. Yusuf the judge to look into the affairs of all the people. There had been built structures in al-Rahbah whose income was one thousand dinars each month, and he ordered them demolished to give more space to the Muslims. From Abu Bakr Ahmad b. 'Ali, who said: Al-Muqtadir was deposed twice during his caliphate and restored. The first time was four months and seven days after his accession, at the killing of al-'Abbas b. al-Hasan the vizier and of Fatik, the mawla of al-Mu'tadid, and the gathering of most of the people in Baghdad to give allegiance to Abu al-'Abbas 'Abd Allah b. al-Mu'tazz, whom they titled al-Murtada billah. Al-Muqtadir was deposed, and they argued for that on account of his young age and his deficiency in reaching maturity for governance. They installed Ibn al-Mu'tazz on Saturday, ten days remaining in Rabi' al-Awwal in the year two hundred ninety-six, and saluted him as Commander of the Faithful, then gave him allegiance as caliph. Then the matter went awry and came to nothing the next day, and the rule of al-Muqtadir billah was reestablished. A second oath of allegiance was renewed for him on Monday. He captured 'Abd Allah b. al-Mu'tazz and killed him, and killed a group of those who had worked for his cause. The second deposition was after twenty-one years, two months, and two days of his caliphate. The commanders, troops, and notables, high and low, gathered with Mu'nis the servant and Nazuk to depose him. They overpowered him, deposed him, and demanded that he write a note in his own hand abdicating himself. He did so and testified against himself to that effect. They brought Muhammad b. al-Mu'tadid billah, installed him, named him al-Qahir billah, and saluted him as Commander of the Faithful. That was on Saturday, the middle of Muharram in the year three hundred seventeen. He remained in that state Saturday and Sunday. On Monday the troops disagreed and changed their minds. A group of them fell upon Nazuk and 'Abd Allah b. Hamdan, known as Abu al-Hayja', and killed them both. Al-Qahir was removed from the caliphal seat, and al-Muqtadir billah was returned to his palace. A new oath of allegiance was given to him. He had renounced the rule for two days and part of the third, and no oath of allegiance had actually taken place for al-Qahir among the people.
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