Forgotten Islam presents to you a new historical series which explores the most notable, significant, impactful people in history who made their mark in Islamic history. Meanwhile, we derive lessons from these individuals which can be applied to our reality. There will be a new episode every Friday, for your mind to feast upon. We hope you enjoy, and don't forget to subscribe, like and share. #islamichistory #ahmadibntulun #notablenames #shorts
Chapters:
0:00 Ahmad Ibn Tulun
2:04 Division of the Ummah
Ibn Tulun was the founder of the Tulunid dynasty who annexed Egypt and Syria, in the late 9th century and early 10th century. Ibn Tulun was a Turkic soldier who served the Abbasid Caliphs and rose in the administrative body, soon becoming a lieutenant of the governor of Egypt in 868 AD. In Egypt, he realised that the centre of authority laid at the ministry of finance. In the next couple years, Ibn Tulun struggled to bring that department under his direct authority. He succeeded and became the vice-governor. He also launched an expedition to take back Palestine from the Byzantines, using the pretext of holy war, although it was mostly about reputation and honour, over taking back Muslim lands. However, he accomplished this without the Caliph’s consent, displaying his individualistic personality, acting self-sufficient, without the need for an unifying position leading him, which could have aided his campaign in Palestine.Without directly declaring his independence from the caliphate, Ibn Tulun most clearly held autonomy in the region. He soon ceased paying taxes to the Caliph, who was too preoccupied, so didn’t really respond to the Tulunids disobedience.Under Ibn Tulun, there was some sort of short-term economic prosperity. However, the Tulunids were very short lived, due other ineffectual rulers after him, who simply relied on their black and Turkish soldiers. Ibn Tulun may have benefitted the Muslims in one way, but also was a factor for the Abbasid’s steep decline, into chaos and madness. The caliphate at this time was already in a dire situation, as it was the period known as the Anarchy at Samarra. This period was already a mess, as the Khalifah was simply a figure head, whilst others became the de facto rulers of the state, such as the Turks. So, more division within the caliphate would lead to disunity and the eventual destruction of the Muslim rule. Ibn Tulun could’ve tried working with the Khalifah to revive the state, but instead chose to disobey and individually rule apart from the central authority. This would lead to the suffering of the Muslims in the near future.The situation during Ibn Tulun and our lifetimes is pretty much the same, as we suffer from the division between the ummah due to certain individuals and groups like Ibn Tulun and his dynasty. This automatically proposes to us that in order for us to climb out of this oppression and ignorance we face in the Muslim world, we need unity and need to work together instead of promoting our nationalistic agendas, and distancing ourselves from other Muslim nations. Without this unity, we can’t achieve peace and prosperity.If you liked this video, we’d appreciate if you clicked the like button, shared this video and subscribed!
Credits: Omar series (MBC Production)