Al-Hasan ibn Salih al-Rudhabari

Al-Rudhabari was an obscure figure, not mentioned in one of the chief sources of his era in office, al-Musabbihi, while another contemporary chronicler confuses him for his father. He belonged to a family of Persian origin, whose members served as political and military officials in Egypt under the Ikhshidids and continued under the Fatimids. Many members were also chroniclers. His father, Abu'l-Fada'il Salih ibn Ali, was a military official under the Fatimid governor Manjutakin in northern Syria.^[1] His father was appointed as wasita, a position lower ranking than vizier which placed him as an intermediary between the caliph and his diwan (administration). He was executed on the orders of Caliph al-Hakim (r. 996–1021) in 1009.^[2]

Al-Rudhabari served as the administrator of Ramla, the capital of Palestine, during the reign of Caliph al-Aziz (r. 975–996). Under al-Hakim he served as the governor of Damascus, and afterward was appointed head of the diwan al-jaysh (army register).^[3]

In 1024, during the reign of Caliph al-Zahir (r. 1021–1036), and under the general direction of the diwan, al-Rudhabari was appointed to replace the vizier Shams al-Mulk Abu'l-Fath Tahir ibn Wazzan.^[1] He was an elderly man at the time of his appointment, with considerable administrative skills. According to the chronicler Ibn al-Sayrafi, al-Zahir was abusive toward al-Rudhabari, had little regard for his age and seniority, and dismissed and reinstated him in his post.^[3] Among al-Rudhabari's actions in office was recalling the military governor of Palestine, Anushtakin al-Dizbari, after it was overrun by the Bedouin Jarrahids.^[4] Al-Rudhabari was dismissed by the caliph in 1027 and replaced by Ali al-Jarjara'i.^[5]