When did Fatimid dynasty start and end?

Fatimid dynasty, political and religious dynasty that dominated an empire in North Africa and subsequently in the Middle East from 909 to 1171 ce and tried unsuccessfully to oust the Abbasid caliphs as leaders of the Islamic world.

How long did the Fatimid dynasty last?

In the tenth to twelfth centuries, an area including present-day Algeria, Tunisia, Sicily, Egypt, and Syria came under the rule of the Fatimid dynasty (909–1171), an offshoot of a Shi’i sect from North Africa.

Who destroyed Fatimid dynasty?

Saladin
During the late eleventh and twelfth centuries, the Fatimid caliphate declined rapidly, and in 1171, Saladin invaded its territory.

When did Ismaili start?

The Ismaili sect: from the 9th century By the 9th century the Ismailis are an identifiable sect, based in Syria and strongly opposed to the rule of the Abbasid caliphs in Baghdad. In the 10th century they establish their own rule over the entire coast of north Africa, technically part of the caliphate.

Were umayyads Sunni or Shia?

Both the Umayyads and the Abbasids were Sunni. The Sunni and the Shia split early in Islamic history. They split mainly over who should be the successor to the Prophet Muhammad.

Why did the Fatimid empire fall?

This proved to be a turning point and the beginning of the decline of both Fatimid power and Ismāʿīlī influence. Several reasons may be adduced for the failure of the Fatimid bid for Islamic leadership. One was their adoption and retention of a religious doctrine that was ultimately unacceptable to the Sunni majority.

Why did the Fatimid Caliphate fall?

Fights between the different groups first became a factor during the reign of al-Ḥākim (reigned 996–1021), in whose time, partly because of his own highly eccentric behaviour, the personal authority and religious prestige of the caliph began to decline.

What religion were the Umayyads?

The Umayyads were the first Muslim dynasty, established in 661 in Damascus. Their dynasty succeeded the leadership of the first four caliphs—Abū Bakr, ʿUmar I, ʿUthmān, and ʿAlī.

Is Egypt Shia or Sunni?

Islam is the dominant religion in Egypt with around an estimated 90.3% of the population. Almost the entirety of Egypt’s Muslims are Sunnis, with a very small minority of Shia. The latter, however, are not recognized by Egypt. Islam has been recognized as the state religion since 1980.

What is the meaning of Fatimid?

: a descendant of Fatima, a daughter of Muhammad, and Ali, the cousin of Muhammad and fourth caliph of Islam, regarded by the Shiʽites as a true heir to the caliphate especially : a member of the Fatimid dynasty ruling portions of North Africa during the period a.d. 909–1171.

Where was the Shi’ite Fatimid dynasty founded?

The Shi’ite Fatimid dynasty is established in Kairouan, in present-day Tunisia, bringing an end to the reign of the Aghlabids. Named for Fatima, the wife of Ali, the fourth Caliph, the dynasty is founded under the leadership of Ubayd Allah, an Isma’ili scholar from Syria who claimed descent from Fatima and ‘Ali.

When did the Fatimid Caliphate start and end?

Timeline Description: The Fatimid Caliphate was a Shia Muslim caliphate named after Fatimah, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, whom the Fatimids claimed as their ancestor. It controlled a large region in Northern Africa along the Mediterranean coast from 909 to 1171, and was ultimately centered in Egypt.

Who was the leader of the Fatimid Empire?

Egypt became the political, cultural, and religious centre of their empire, which developed a new and “indigenous Arabic” culture. The Fatimid Caliphs belonged to the Ismai’li branch of Shi’a Islam, as did the leaders of the dynasty. The first caliph and conqueror of Ifriqia was accepted by the Kutama as the Imam of the movement.

When was Cairo the capital of the Fatimid Empire?

Cairo was established by the fourth Fatimid caliph al-Muʿizz in 359/970 and remained the capital of the Fatimid caliphate for the duration of the dynasty. Cairo can thus be considered the capital of Fatimid cultural production.