Al-Mustansir Billah

Abu Tamim al - Mustansir bi- Maadd ' llah (Arabic أبو تميم معد المستنصر بالله, DMG Abū Ma ʿ add Tamim al - Mustansir bi- ' llāh, "the God begs for help "; * July 2, 1029, † 1094 ) was from 1036 the eighth Fatimid Caliph.

He was born on July 2, 1029 and entered in 1036 its successor to his father when az- Zahir 's death. He was a weak insignificant ruler who exercised on the fortunes of the empire, despite his long reign, hardly any influence. Throughout his life he left the government of the kingdom of the respective minions at court and behaved during the power struggles very passive.

First vizier al - Dschardscharai led the government until 1045. After his death, the favoritism submitted on Kalifenhof from Cairo, where especially the mother of al - Mustansir wanted to expand their influence. Nevertheless, the power struggles and court intrigues with al - Yazuri could again assert a vizier and run the government of the empire from 1050 to 1058 at this time.

Despite the internal problems of the empire reached its greatest extent and the height of its power during this time. In particular, since the Zirids in Ifriqiya waste in 1049, the influence of the Fatimids in North Africa by the invasion of the Banu Hilal in 1051 initially be expanded again. Furthermore won in Yemen with the Sulaihiden a vassal the Fatimid dynasty to power. 1059 was the temporary overthrow of the Abbasids in Baghdad (see: al- Basasiri ) also reached the great goal that had followed all the previous Caliph of the Fatimids.

However, at this time also began the rapid collapse of the Fatimidenreichs. After the fall of vizier al - Yazuri the favoritism spread back out on the farm. The mother of al - Mustansir tried to increase the influence of the Sudanese Negro slaves in the military, which led to tensions with the Turkish troops. Due to the rapid change of the viziers ( 1063-1067, there were 30 viziers ) experienced the decline of the imperial administration. As 1067 flared up again fighting between the Turkish and Sudanese troops, the imperial administration of the Fatimids soon collapsed. Although the Turks in Cairo were able to prevail, but lasted the clashes with the Sudanese in Egypt continues to grow.

Since al - Mustansir could no longer satisfy the increasing demands of his troops pay ( the pay rose from 28,000 to 400,000 dinars a month ), they plundered the treasures of the Fatimids and their palaces. Even the imperial insignia of the caliphs were stolen. Al- Mustansir to have lived at the end in his looted palace with three servants. By spreading anarchy soon broke out a severe famine, as agriculture in Egypt was heavily affected by the turmoil. This was exacerbated by struggles within the Turkish troops, when it came to fighting over the distribution of looted treasures.

In this general chaos, al - Mustansir took the only known him policy decision. He appointed with Badr al - Dschamali the governor of Syria as regent of the kingdom, and gave him all the military, civil and religious powers in the kingdom. This could occupy with his Armenian troops in 1073 Cairo and pacify Egypt. In the following years he succeeded again the revival of the economy and the consolidation of public finances.

Through the successful operation though the fall of the Fatimids was prevented, but their caliphs were now largely disempowered and were limited with their religious leader role. However, Badr could not stop the decline of Fatimideneinflusses in the Islamic world. Besides the loss of Mecca and Medina ( 1070) Syria was lost to the Seljuks, who also supported the Abbasids in the fight against the Ismaili missionaries.

After al - Mustansirs death in 1094, his son al - Mustali became the new Caliph of the Fatimids (reigned 1094-1101 ).