User:TheseusHeLl/Ibn al-Lihyani

al-Qa'im bi-amr Allah Abu Yahya Zakariyâ' ibn Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Lihyani, known as Ibn al-Lihyani (1253/54 – december 1326) was an hafsid caliph (reigned 1311–1317). He was a shaykh al-muwahhidin (chief of the Almohads) and vizier under the caliph Abu Asida.

Biography

Al-Lihyani was an Almohad sheikh and vizier of Caliph Muhammad II (1294-1309). After the death of the caliph, with the support of other sheikhs and contrary to the agreement signed by Muhammad II with the Bejay branch of the dynasty, Abu Bakr I was enthroned. However, after 17 days, Abu Bakr was overthrown by his cousin Abul-Baka , Emir Bedzai.

Al-Lihiani regrouped and gained more support, having made a coup in 1311 , gaining power and proclaiming himself a caliph. Initially, he enjoyed the favor of Abu Bakr II , the brother of the ousted Abul Baki, but in 1312 Abu Bakr II rebelled in Constantine and captured Bejaia. At the same time, the Caliph faced the attacks of the Abdalwadids of Tlemcen (1313-1315). In 1317, under pressure from the Bejaei army attacking Ifricia, al-Lihyani abdicated in favor of the son of Muhammad III al-Mustansir .

Sources

• Abun-Nasr, Jamil M. A History of the Maghrib in the Islamic Period. Cambridge University Press, 1987. ISBN 0521337674 .
• Brunschvig, Robert (1940). La Berbérie orientale sous les Hafsides des origines à la fin du XVe siècle (in French). Vol. 1. Adrien-Maisonneuve.
• Lower, Michael (2009-06-01). "Ibn al-Lihyani: sultan of Tunis and would-be Christian convert (1311–18)". Mediterranean Historical Review. 24 (1): 17–27. doi:10.1080/09518960903000744. ISSN 0951-8967.