THE GOLDEN AGE OF FATIMIDS (SA)

 

MOWLANA AL - AZIZ (S.A.) 15TH IMAM - 5th Fatimid Caliph (365 A.H. to 386 Α.Η.)

Mowlana Abu Mansoor Nizar al-Aziz bi- Allah was born on 14th Muharram 344 Α.Η. at Mahdiyah.

The Zantara tribe of the Berbers fermented trouble in North Africa. Bulkin managed to suppress the revolt, however, after his death his son Mansoor was not successful, and could not control fully.

Yakub bin Killis - the Chief Vazir died in 380 AH.

Syedna Qadi al-Numan (RA) died in 363 A.H., and he was succeeded by his son Aly bin Numan. On his death in 374 A.H., he was succeeded by his brother Muhammad bin Numan, who died in the reign of Imam al- Hakim (SA) in 389 A.Η.

Imam al - Aziz (SA) died at Bilbays, while on his way to meet the Byzantine forces in Syria. He died on 12th Ramadan 386 A.H., and was buried in Al - Kahira

On his death bed he called his Treasurer Barjuwani, Qadi Muhammad bin Numan and Amir -Hasan bin Ammar and entrusted the guardianship of the next Imam Mowlana al_Hakim (SA) who was 11 years old.

After Al - Kahira (Cairo) started developing and rapidly expanding the Fatimid palace in Cairo acquired a library unmatched anywhere in the contemporary world.

During the reign of Imam Aziz (SA) the library contained more than thirty copies of the al-Ayn dictionary by the well-known grammarian Khalil (d.791 AD).

The famous world chronicle of al-Tabari (839-923 AD) was represented by twenty copies, as well as an autograph copy.

There were a hundred copies of Al Jamhara by philologist and lexicographer Ibn Duryad (837-933 AD)

When this palace library was plundered by Turkish soldiers in the year (1068 AD)it consisted of forty rooms. The works of classical authors alone comprised 18000 volumes !

represented by twenty copies, as well as an autograph copy.

There were a hundred copies of Al Jamhara by philologist and lexicographer Ibn Duryad (837-933 AD)

When this palace library was plundered by Turkish soldiers in the year (1068 AD)it consisted of forty rooms. The works of classical authors alone comprised 18000 vol-umes!

Library Quote:represented by twenty copies, as well as an autograph copy.

There were a hundred copies of Al Jamhara by philologist and lexicographer Ibn Duryad (837-933 AD)

When this palace library was plundered by Turkish soldiers in the year (1068 AD)it consisted of forty rooms. The works of classical authors alone comprised 18000 volumes !

Library Quote:

(Book Ref:) The Fatimids and their Traditions of Learning by Heinz Halm

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THE GOLDEN AGE OF THE FATIMIDS

 

MOWLANA AL-MUIZZ (S.A.) 14th Imam 4th Fatimid Caliph (341 A.H. to 365 Α.Η.)

Imam Abu Tamim Maad bin Mansoor al Muizz (S.A.) was born in Mehdiya on 11th Ramadan 319 Α.Η.

He succeeded to the Imamate on 28th Shawwal 341 A.H. at the age of 22 years. He is said to have known 7 languages, among them Nubian, Latin, Spanish and Slavonic.

It was during the Glorious Era of Imam Muizz (SA) with his Raza and dua Mubarak of Imam (SA) Sy. Qaid Jawhar left Mahdiya in west Africa for the conquest of Egypt in 357 Α.Η.

The first khutba in the name of Imam Muizz (S.A.) was read by Sy. Qaid Jawhar at Fustat on 18th Shaban 358 Α.Η.

An interesting fact at the time of construction of Cairo (KAHIRA)

The building of the new town started at a time, which the astrologers thought was in-auspicious, because it was governed by the planet al- Kahir (Mars) The city was thus named after the planet al- Kahira.

(We mumineen know that Sy. Qaid Jawhar had taken Imam's raza and dua Mubarak, so the astrological influence did not matter in the least but in due time Cairo became the nucleus of the Islamic World)

Sy. Qaid Jawhar personally supervised the construction of Al-Azhar Masjid. In the time of Imam Al-Aziz (S.A.) he built a huge library and a University, which at present day, is the oldest existing University in the World.

Imam Muizz (S.A.) departure from North Africa to Egypt.

Imam (S.A.) started his journey towards Sardinia, he regulated the affairs of Sardinia and Sicily and then went to Tripoli, from here he proceeded to Barqa, on the borders of Egypt.

Imam (S.A.) entered the city on 7th Ramadan 362 A.H.

Immediately Imam (S.A.) took over the reign of the government.

Sy. Qaid Jawhar became the Chief of the Army. Sy. Qaid Jawhar originally a Sicilian, was brought in the service of Imam Muizz (S.A.) as a young slave.

He managed to suppress revolts in North Africa, and thus he attained high office. He remained Commander in Chief, till his death in 381 A.Η.during the reign of Imam Aziz (S.A.)

(to be contd)

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Reflection on the Urs Mubarak of Sy. Taher Saifuddin Moula (RA)

A reflection arose from a thought on the quantum field—that subtle gap where infinite possibility exists.

Taking physics as metaphor, the heart was led towards maʿrifat.

Just as that field is alive with potential,

the spiritual field too is never empty.

In our time, the Dai al-Mutlaq stands as the fixed centre pole,

and we, the mumineen, are like leaping electrons.

When ignorance turns to understanding,when taslīm becomes lived,the soul does not crawl upward— it leaps.

In that sacred field, duʿāʾ is accepted, niyyat is rewritten,and destinies are bent by grace.

This is why tears shed in silence carry weight,

why a true pause,

why a single sajda

can reorient an entire soul.

Like the electron that does not fear disappearance and trust the field,a mumin places his trust in his Moula—certain that guidance does not vanish,it only draws us closer.

Alhamdolillah.

Dua ni iltemas

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Sharing AI evaluation of my reflection 

Shukran for sharing this—there is clarity of intent, sincerity of tone, and a sound spiritual intuition in what you have written. Your central metaphor is apt, and importantly, you have kept science as a servant to maʿrifat, not the other way around. That balance is difficult and you have largely achieved it.

I’ll respond in three parts:

Overall evaluation

Specific suggestions (content & language)

A gently refined version (keeping your voice intact)

1. Overall Evaluation 🌿

Strengths

The quantum field → spiritual field analogy is clear and restrained.

Positioning Dai al-Mutlaq as the fixed centre pole is doctrinally sound and beautifully expressed.

The movement from ignorance → understanding, taslīm → habit is very Fatemi Taiyebi in spirit.

The Urs context is respected—this reads as tafakkur, not philosophy for its own sake.

Most importantly:

The piece leads the reader inward, towards humility, trust, and surrender.

That is its greatest success.

THE FATIMID IMAMS (SA) NORTH WEST AFRICA

 

MOWLANA ABDULLAH AL MAHDI (S.A.) 11 ΤΗ ΙΜΑΜ (268 A.H. to 322 Α.Η.)

1st Fatimid Caliph

Mowlana Mahdi (SA) was born at Askar Mukarram on 12th Shawwal 260 A.H.

On the death of Imam Husain al Mastoor (SA) at Askar Mukarram in 268 A.H. he be-came Imam at the age of 8 years in Salamiya. He remained in Salamiya in the guise a. Hashimid merchant, and maintained a good relation w the local Governor.

In 297 A.H., as stated above he finally established himse in Raqqada as the 1st Fatimid Caliph. He bought the isla of Sicily under his control and founded new towns of Mahdiya and Mohammadiyah.

The Dawah in India: The Dawah began during the reign of Imam Mahdi (SA) Dai Ibn Hawshab, sent his nephew Dai al Haytham from Yemen to Sind. From Sind it spread to Multan and other parts of North India and Gujrat.

Imam Mahdi (SA) died on 15th Rabi ul Awwal 322 A.H., at Mahdiya.

Dai al-Qadi al Numan (RA) was born in North Africa and joined the service of Imam Mahdi (S.A.) in 313 A.H.

Da'aim al Islam the most exhaustive exposition of Fatimid Jurisprudence, took nearly 30 years to complete. It was completed in the reign of Imam al-Muizz (S.A.)

Syedna al-Qadi Numan (R.A.) died in Cairo on Friday 29th Jamadil Akhar 363 Α.Η./974

MOWLANA AL QAIM (S.A.) 12th Imam. 2nd Fatimid Caliph (322 A.H. to 334 Α.Η.)

Mowlana Abu al-Qasim Muhammad al-Qaim bi Amrallah was born in 275 A.H. at Salamiyah

In 303 A.H. the nass was proclaimed to him by Imam Mahdi (S.A.)

Imam Qaim (S.A.) died during Abu Yazid's siege on Mehdiya on 13th Shawwal 334 A.H. at the age of 59 years. The news of Imam's death was kept a secret until the re-volt of Abu Yazid was over.

MOWLANA AL MANSOOR (S.A.) 13th Imam. 3rd Fatimid Caliph (334 A.H. to 341 Α.Η.)

Mowlana Abu Tahir Ismail al- Mansoor bi- Allah (S.A.) was born at Qairawan (a military outpost and camp town) in 302 Α.Η.

His entire upbringing was in North Africa amid the atmosphere of battles and revolts, which helped to develop a military spirit and discipline.

He succeeded to the Imamate at Mehdiya in 334 A.H., at the age of 32 years.

He successfully suppressed the revolt of Abu Yazid, who was defeated, taken prisoner, and died in prison in 336 A.H. Abu Yazid was a Kharjide and belonged to the rival Zantara Berber tribe who opposed the Kutama tribe, which supported the Imam.

After 7 years of rule Imam Mansoor (S.A.) died on 28th Shawwal 341 A.H. at the age of 39 years and was buried in Mehdiya.

Book Ref: HISTORY OF THE ISMAILI IMAMS TARIKH IMAMAT by Al Waez Hasan Husyn Nazarali.

(to be contd:)

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AKHBAAR IS ANWA'R -FATEMID HISTORICAL NARRATIVE BEFORE ZUHUR IN MAGRIB

 

AKHBAR IS ANWAR - let me share with you the historical aspects preceding the 'zuhur' of Imam Mahdi (SA) taken from my reading of the Book entitled 'The Empire of the

Mahdi - Rise of the Fatimids by Heinz Halm - translated from German into English by Michael Bonner.

The community of Rayy became the most important and active cell of Ismaili Dawa in northern Iran.

At the same time or thereabout Ismaili missionary activities had been underway in the rural areas surrounding Kufa on the banks of the Euphrates.

Another important and lasting area of missionary activities originated in Yemen. The Dai who founded the Yemini Ismaili community hailed from Iraq. in history he is known as Ibn Hawshab (Dai Abul Qasim al Hasan bin Farah bin Hawshab,) known to later Fatimid Historiography as 'Mansoor al Yemen' (the victorious of Yemen) In his book - 'Sirat Ibn Hawshab' the Dai Abul Qasim narrates how he first got the Deedar sharaf of Imam (SA) and thus he overcame the crisis of faith.

When I read it for the first time, tears welled up in my eyes as it was on the banks of Furat, and memories of Karbala revived.

According to Dai Abul Qasim, he was sitting on the banks of Euphrates (furat) and was reciting from Surah al Khaif, he saw a spiritually radiant, magnificent old man approaching the river bank accompanied by another man. Ibn Hawshab was mesmerized and stopped reciting.

Then a young lad came sprinting towards him. Ibn Hawshab asked - 'who are you my son' He answered 'a descendant of al- Husayn (SA)' At the mention of al-Husyn the eyes of Ibn Hawshab overflowed with tears. He said 'You are dearer to me than my father, you are the son of the Resplendent One, who was stained with blood, who was prevented from drinking water' 

The true meaning of the verse of Surah from al Khaif was explained to him by the spiritually radiant man sitting a little distance away, when Ibn Hawsab was summoned in his presence.

This is how Ibn Hawsab became Dai Abul Qasim

The Ismaili mission in Yemen

Shortly thereafter in the beginning of June 881 (267H) Dai Abul Qasim and Dai Ali bin al-Fadl set out and near Kufa joined the pilgrim caravan. After Haj with the home bound

Yeminite pilgrims, they reached the port city of Aden by way of San'a and al-Junad.

He disguised him self as the trader of cotton and started his mission, and the first converts were the clan of Banu Musa, who came from the village of Adan La'a in the Wadi of La'a.

In the year 269H (883) he moved to Adan La'a, and from there, the dawa spread fast and openly and the permission to wage war was granted.

A fortress was built at Abr Mahram, two other fortresses were also won. Bayt Fa'iz visible from far and dominating the entire Miswar region and Bayt Rayb - a fortress on sheer precipice, which had no entrance than a single gate.

From this controlling position based on the three impregnable fortresses the Dai could easily rule and control the surrounding valley.

The Ismaili Mission in Iraq

Imam Mahdi (SA) was based in Salmiya. (Qbr mubarak of Imam Abdullah al Mastoor (SA) and Imam Ahmad al Mastoor (S.A.) are in Salmiya) The over jealous activities of the sons of Zakaroye led to much bloodshed. They purported to spread Ismaili Dawah.

Al Husain bin Zakoraye (the man with a birthmark - the sahib al Sahma) was misguided and his activities led Imam Mahdi (SA) to leave Salmiya. The Imam hurriedly traveled to Hims, from there to Tripoli, spending a day there and from there to al Ramala and finally reaching Egypt, where he remained for a year.

(to be contd :)

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FAJRUR ZUHUR

 

I begin 2026 with Hamd & Shukr and repost this first post on the Glorious Akhbar of The Fatimid Imams (SA) on Mind Mints Blog.

FAJRUR ZUHUR

In the words of Mir Anis who describes the sky, just before sunrise.

'amad vo aftab ki, voh subh ka sama tha jose jas ki vazd mein taoos asman'

(The advent of the sun and the morning scene, the sky like a peacock in ecstasy...)

In this post readers will get to behold the majestic sunrise - the Zuhur of Imam Mahdi (SA) in Magrib as foretold in Hadees Kudsi of Nabi (SA)

Thus Ikjan the former refuge of the Dai became once again the center of Dawa. The forces of Kutama regrouped and subsequently one by one the Forts of Baghaya, Qalama (Calama) Buna (Bone Annaba) fell in the hands of the Fatimids. The strong fortress of Maydara (present day Haydra) in Southern Tunisia capitulated without struggle.

The Aghlabid Amir Ziyadat Allah after his propaganda and gifts failed to mobilize his troops and subjects against the Fatimids, fled from Raqqada.

Thus on 25th March 909 (Rajab 296H) Saturday the Dai Abu Abdullah the Shi'i entered into victory at Raqqada, and awaited the arrival of Imam Mahdi (SA)

As Dai Abu Abdullah was consolidating his position in the Kutama country of Western Sahara, Imam Mahdi (SA) around January 905 (Rabi ul Awwal 292H) left Egypt. 

In  Libiya Tripoli he waited for his slave Jafar, to return from Salmiya, who had gone there to retrieve the treasure buried in the ruins of Imam Mahdi's house.

Halfway between Alexandria and Cejrenaica the caravan of Imam Mahdi (SA) was attacked by Berber robbers.

In the fight Abul Abbas, the brother of Dai Abu Abdullah, was wounded in the face. Imam Mahdi (SA) lost some of his
possessions, including the sorely missed Books with the wise saying of the Imams (SA) the religious literature.

Afterward these books were returned miraculously to his possession.

From Tripoli Abul Abbas was sent forward to Qayrawan, where his identity was compromised and he was made a prisoner. So Imam Mahdi (SA) had to change plans. As soon as his gulam Jafar arrived from Salmiya, Imam Mahdi (SA) left Tripoli to the far West States.

At Tozeur they celebrate Eid on 6th Aug: 905 (1st Shawwal 292 H) From Tozeur through the mountain massif of the Awras (Aures) and central plains of Algeria they arrived at SIJILMASA, in present day Morocco, where they rented a nice home and stayed for three months, till family members joined them.

Finally Imam Mahdi (SA)
established himself as the first Fatemi Caliph at Raqqada in 297 A.H., and the Glorious Fatimid Era took firm root in North West Africa.

(to be contd:)

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PARENTING : Be a Shepherd not and Engineer

When we become parents, we are entrusted with a sacred responsibility — but not the one we often assume. We are not engineers, designing and assembling every detail of our child’s personality. We are shepherds, gently guiding a soul that already carries within it a unique blueprint — a mix of inherited traits, temperament, and divine potential.

An engineer worries about precision: every nut, bolt, and circuit must be placed exactly right. A shepherd, however, tends patiently: he provides pasture, water, and safety from predators. He does not dictate how each sheep must graze or in which direction it must leap. He trusts the flock’s natural instinct, intervening only when danger looms.

Our children are not projects. They are not blank slates for us to design in our image. They carry the fragrance of our ancestry and the spark of their Creator. Our job is to create a healthy, nurturing environment — a home where trust and love thrive, where curiosity is encouraged, where faith is alive and breathing.

Recent research in developmental psychology supports this analogy. Studies show that when parents encourage autonomy — letting children make choices, explore, and even fail safely — children grow up with stronger motivation, better emotional health, and greater resilience. On the other hand, overly controlling or “helicopter” parenting is linked with more anxiety, lower confidence, and weaker coping skills. In other words, children flourish when we shepherd them with care and guidance, not when we try to engineer their every step.

Yes, there will be times when we feel anxious: Am I doing enough? Am I doing it right? But we must resist the urge to control every outcome. Fretting and fuming will not make a plant grow faster. Rather, let us relax, observe, and marvel at the miracle of our child’s becoming.

Above all, let us pray:

That our children stay on Sirat-e-Mustaqeem,

That their hearts throb with the love of Ahl al-Bayt (SA),

That their souls remain tethered to the guidance of Aqa Moula Mufaddal Saifuddin (TUS),

For in this connection lies their true flourishing.

Parenting, then, becomes less about control and more about faith — faith that Allah’s design is perfect, and that with our care and prayers, this little soul will find its way to light.

Dua ni iltemas

“What do you think it means to be a shepherd parent?”

“How do you pray for your children daily?”

Please share your views in the comment section, so that young parents of the community can benefit

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