9th century – 10th century
Ifriqiya and the Maghrib
Abu Abd Allah al-Shi'i was a Yemeni Isma'ili missionary who converted most Kutama clans to the cause of Ubayd Allah and organized them into the army that overthrew the Aghlabids. After descending from the Kutama mountains into Ifriqiya in 903, his forces captured Kayrawan and later liberated Ubayd Allah at Sidjilmasa. His military and missionary leadership created the North African foundation of Fatimid rule.
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The Story
Abu Abd Allah al-Shi'i was a Yemeni propagandist of the Isma'ili movement. He met several Kutama shaykhs during their pilgrimage to Mecca and accompanied them to their homeland in 280/893. There he preached a doctrine centered on the descendants of Ali and Fatima and on Ubayd Allah, whom his followers regarded as the expected Mahdi.
His propaganda won over most Kutama clans and transformed their separate solidarities into a unified military force. The coalition combined Kutama ethnic solidarity with loyalty to the Fatimid imam, promising deliverance from oppressive rulers. In 290/903, Abu Abd Allah led the Kutama descent from their mountains into the plains of Ifriqiya, beginning the decisive struggle against the Aghlabids.
The Aghlabid armies were defeated, and Abu Abd Allah took much of Ifriqiya, including Kayrawan after a prolonged campaign. His fiscal policy increased popular sympathy: he declared non-canonical taxes illegal and returned booty taken from inhabitants of conquered towns. When Ubayd Allah was detained at Sidjilmasa, Abu Abd Allah led the Kutama army there in 296/909, overthrew the Rustumids at Tahert during the expedition, and secured his master's release.
9th century – 10th century
Ifriqiya and the Maghrib
Abu Abd Allah al-Shi'i was a Yemeni Isma'ili missionary who converted most Kutama clans to the cause of Ubayd Allah and organized them into the army that overthrew the Aghlabids. After descending from the Kutama mountains into Ifriqiya in 903, his forces captured Kayrawan and later liberated Ubayd Allah at Sidjilmasa. His military and missionary leadership created the North African foundation of Fatimid rule.
Continue exploring
The Story
Abu Abd Allah al-Shi'i was a Yemeni propagandist of the Isma'ili movement. He met several Kutama shaykhs during their pilgrimage to Mecca and accompanied them to their homeland in 280/893. There he preached a doctrine centered on the descendants of Ali and Fatima and on Ubayd Allah, whom his followers regarded as the expected Mahdi.
His propaganda won over most Kutama clans and transformed their separate solidarities into a unified military force. The coalition combined Kutama ethnic solidarity with loyalty to the Fatimid imam, promising deliverance from oppressive rulers. In 290/903, Abu Abd Allah led the Kutama descent from their mountains into the plains of Ifriqiya, beginning the decisive struggle against the Aghlabids.
The Aghlabid armies were defeated, and Abu Abd Allah took much of Ifriqiya, including Kayrawan after a prolonged campaign. His fiscal policy increased popular sympathy: he declared non-canonical taxes illegal and returned booty taken from inhabitants of conquered towns. When Ubayd Allah was detained at Sidjilmasa, Abu Abd Allah led the Kutama army there in 296/909, overthrew the Rustumids at Tahert during the expedition, and secured his master's release.
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