At a glance
- Era
- Abbasid Fragmentation
- Identifiers
- Wikidata
- Review
- Draft Completeness 1/5 · Help complete it
Life in time
Overview
Al-Mustarshid billah, Abu Mansur al-Fadl ibn al-Mustazhir, an Abbasid caliph who ruled between 512 and 529 AH. 1
His life
He was born in Rabi al-Awwal 485 AH, and was given the allegiance on the death of his father al-Mustazhir billah in 512 AH. Al-Suyuti describes him as having high aspiration and a severe dignity; he kept the affairs of the caliphate in order, revived its customs, and took part in the wars himself. 1
He went out on one of his last campaigns, and his army was defeated near Hamadhan, and he was taken captive to Azerbaijan. 1
Calligraphy and learning
He had beautiful handwriting. Al-Suyuti says that none of the caliphs before him had written like him, and that he used to correct and improve his books. Abu Bakr al-Shashi composed for him his book "al-Umda" on jurisprudence, which became known by its title "Support of the World and Religion". 1
His death
He was killed at Maragha on Thursday, the sixteenth of Dhu al-Qa'da 529 AH. 1
Connections
- Fought by
- Dubays ibn Sadaqa al-Mazyadidi
- Participated in
- Capture and killing of al-Mustarshid at Maragha
People and things also explored
Al-Mustarshid's victory over Dubays al-Asadi in 517· Banu Mazyad (the Mazyadids)· السلطان مسعود بن محمد بن ملكشاه· Sadaqa ibn Mansur al-Mazyadidi, King of the Arabs· السلطان سنجر بن ملكشاه· Maragha· Mazyadid dynasty· Capture and killing of al-Mustarshid at Maragha
Sources
- Tarikh al-Khulafa — al-Suyuti (Dar al-Minhaj edition) , p. 663-665
- Shadharat al-Dhahab — Ibn al-Imad al-Hanbali
Cite this page
islam.museum contributors. “al-Mustarshid bi'llah al-Fadl ibn al-Mustazhir”. islam.museum, https://islam.museum/en/person/al-mustarshid-billah/. CC BY-SA 4.0. Last updated 2026-10-23.