The Death of al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah and His Sister's Concealment, 411

In Shawwal of the year 411, al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, caliph of the Fatimid state, was killed one night while riding on Mount al-Muqattam. His sister Sitt al-Mulk concealed the news for three days, until she arranged the allegiance to his son Ali under the title al-Zahir li-I'zaz Din Allah. ¹

Ibn al-Jawzi reports from the people of Egypt that Sitt al-Mulk, al-Hakim's sister, brought him together with his close associate Ibn Dawwas, whom al-Hakim feared and used to ask, "What have I to do with this man?" Ibn Dawwas gave her two trusted Maghribi slaves. When al-Hakim climbed the mountain at night with them, they killed him and carried him to Ibn Dawwas, who took the body to Sitt al-Mulk's council, where she buried him. ²

Sitt al-Mulk announced that he had been absent for seven days, and she paid men of the Rikabiyya guard who would give the impression that he was still alive. Then she brought out Ali ibn al-Hakim to the people; he was given the oath of allegiance, she appointed him heir apparent, placed the crown of al-Mu'izz on him, and the sermon was given in his name under the title al-Zahir li-I'zaz Din Allah. She held the mourning rites for three days. ³

She had promised Ibn Dawwas the kingdom and a hundred thousand, but then arranged his killing at the hand of Nasim, keeper of the curtain and the sword, and it was announced to the people, "This is the killer of our master al-Hakim." She also had put to death the slaves and servants who knew the matter, until her authority in the state grew great. ⁴