A depiction of a Daylami soldier in the Fatimid army
Abstract: This paper deals with the role of Persians and their impact on the life of Fatimid State in Egypt. After the Fatimid conquest of Egypt and Syria in 358-359/969, and the seat of the Fatimid caliphate had transferred from al-Mansuriyya in Ifriqiya to Cairo (Egypt), the Fatimids began to organize their political and religious administration accordingly. Thus, Cairo became a new centre of the Isma‘ili caliphate and many Isma‘ilis turned to Egypt, not only for leadership concerning doctrine, but for leadership in other spheres as well. Cairo developed as a rival centre to Baghdad, politically, commercially and of course regarding doctrine. Many Persians and various people from the East moved to Cairo because of two factors: ‘pull’ factors attracting them to Egypt, and ‘push’ factors, i.e. the difficult situations in the regions of the Muslim East. Those Easterners, especially the Persians, made a strong impact and left a significant legacy on the Fatimid state in general, and on Isma‘ili doctrine in particular. Therefore, this study aims to follow and examine the processes of the Persian role in the Fatimid areas, particularly in Egypt. Part I discusses the role of the Persians in the Fatimid military. Part II will focus on their important contribution to Fatimid da‘wah and doctrines. Part III will describe their activities in the commercial and economic life of the Fatimids.
Persians in Fatimid Egypt: (II) Their Role in the Da’wah and Ismaili Doctrines
A portrait study of Nasir Khusraw
Hasan-i Sabbah
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