Abu Zaki
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Mu'arik Al-Kutami (father)
- Maknun ibn Dubara (Uncle)
Abu Zaki | |
|---|---|
أبو زاكي | |
 | |
| Ruler of Ifriqiya and Kairouan | |
| In office 909 | |
| Fatimid Da'i | |
| In office 893–911 | |
| Commander of the Fatimid army | |
| In office 893–911 | |
| Personal details | |
| Died | 18 February 911 |
| Parent |
|
| Relatives |
|
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Fatimid Caliphate |
| Branch/service | Fatimid army |
| Rank | General |
| Battles/wars |
|
Abu Zaki (Arabic: أبو زاكي) also known as Tammam ibn Mu'arik Abu Zaki Al-Ikjani Al-Kutami, was a Fatimid ruler, Da'i, and military commander from the Kutama tribe. He is considered one of the political and religious founders of the nascent Fatimid Caliphate in 893 CE, and among the founding leaders of the Fatimid army.[1] Abu Zaki was the first to receive and join Abu Abd Allah, believing in the da'wa in Ikjan, and was his official successor.[2] He assumed the rule of Ifriqiya in 909 before the arrival of al-Mahdi.[1] He led the Fatimid army in several campaigns during the Fatimid conquest of Ifriqiya and was the one who suppressed the Tripoli revolt.[3]
Abu Zaki descends from the Berber tribe of Kutama. He is referred to as al-Ikjani or al-Ijjani in his full name, in reference to the clan of Ijjana. This clan is one of the largest branches of the Kutama who, along with the Banu Djimla, controlled the entire region located southeast of Ikjan.[4][5] The Ijjana were among the clans that the Fatimid Kutama found difficult to subjugate for a long period, alongside the clans of Malusa, Lahisa, Lataya, and Djimla. Ijjana participated in the Siege of the capital Tazrut as part of the allied army, which included governors of the Aghlabid provinces loyal to the Abbasids, under the command of the Masalta leader, Fath ibn Yahya, against the Fatimids. However, the siege failed, and the Fatimid Kutama emerged victorious under the leadership of Ghazwiyya ibn Yusuf and Abu Abd Allah.[5]
The Ijjana eventually joined the Fatimid State in the year 900 CE, after Hijrah (migrating) to Tazrut in a large assembly alongside their prominent chieftains: Farah ibn Jiran, Yusuf ibn Mahmud, and Wazra ibn Nasr.[5]
Fatimid Isma'ili Dawah
After Abu Abd Allah settled in Ikjan in 893 and began spreading the Da'wa, the first Shiite group gathered around him, This group comprised the most prominent early adherents the initial circle of Awliya who would assist him in his mission and serve as his most devoted supporters.[6] Among them were Harun ibn Yunus, known as Shaykh al-Mashayikh from the Masalta of Kutama; al-Hasan ibn Harun from Banu Ghushman; Maknun ibn Dubara; and his nephew Abu Zaki Tammam ibn Mu'arik,[5] and he referred to them as Awliya (Friends of God) and Al-Ikhwan (the Brothers) and the Al-Mu’minun (Believers).[7][1]
Abu Zaki was the first youth encountered by the Shi'i Abu Abd Allah, who asked him: "What is your name, young man?" He replied: "Tammam." The Shi'i remarked: "With you, our affairs shall be completed (Tatammu)." He then asked: "What is your father's name?" He replied: "Mu'arik." The Shi'i said: "However, only after a great struggle (Arak)." [8] Abu Abd Allah observed in Abu Zaki a keen sense of initiative, intelligence, and vigor in attending to his affairs, as well as an alacrity, desire, and dedication to the Fatimid isma'ilism cause. Consequently, Abu Zaki became the closest of all his confidants.[2]
Fatimid conquest of Ifriqiya (902–909)
In 902, Abu Zaki, accompanied by Abu Abd Allah, marched toward Mila. The Fatimid army surrounded it from every side, and Musa ibn al-Abbas went out to meet them with those who were with him and those from Kutama who had sought refuge with him, fighting them fiercely.[2] When they realized they could no longer withstand the assault, and after a large group of Mila's leaders had been killed following the death of their companions, Musa ibn al-Abbas called upon Al-Hasan ibn Abi Khinzir, and the Fatimids granted them safe passage (Aman).[5] They opened the city gates, and the Awliya entered and seized control. Abu Ibrahim ibn Musa ibn al-Abbas and a group of them slipped away under the cover of night, fleeing until they reached Ifriqiya. Upon entering, the Kutama killed Farah ibn Jiran, Yusuf, and two others.[2] It is said that the one who sought their death was Abu Zaki. Control of Mila was established, and Maknun ibn Dubara, the uncle of Abu Zaki, was appointed as its governor.
In 906, the Fatimids besieged Tobna, surrounding the city from every side. It became clear that the defenders would not emerge to negotiate with the Fatimids; instead, they fortified themselves behind the walls and commenced fighting.[5] The Awliya advanced from all directions and brought forth a siege tower (dabbaba), with which they brought down one of the wall's towers. Consequently, all the soldiers and frontline fighters fled, allowing Abu Zaki and the Awliya to overrun Tobna. Out of concern for the inhabitants most of whom were merchants the Fatimids did not inflict any harm upon them, and they were spared the looting that typically follows a siege. A garrison remained besieged within one of the walls but failed in its defense and was unable to operate the mangonel. Their commander, Abu Shaib, consulted with Abu Zaki, who subsequently granted them Aman (safe conduct).[2]
After the Da'is (missionaries) consolidated their authority in Raqqada, they began preparing to march on Sijilmasa to bring the Mahdi and install him on the throne they had seized from the Aghlabids.[9] Abu Abd Allah left, and Abu Zaki took his place as the ruler of Ifriqiya.[2][10] His brother, Abu al-Abbas, joined him, working with Abu Zaki to establish Rawabit (garrisons) throughout the various regions, as less than three months had passed since their entry into Raqqada.[5]