al-Tā'i' Li'llāh and Buyids (974-991)

This dissertation scrutinizes the era of al-Tā'i' Li'llāh, 24th Caliph of Islam, from 974 to 991 (363-381 AH) and the transformation of the Abbāsīd Caliphate under the Buyids. When he ascended the caliphate, the Abbāsīd dynasty was already in political, social and economic decline. The caliph's authority was already waning when the Turkish amirs rose to power under the caliph al-Mutawakkil 'Alā'llāh (847-861/232-247 AH). Due to the dwindling central authority, a series of semi-autonomous and near-autonomous local dynasties emerged in the provinces. To prevent decentralisation, the caliphate established the office of amir al-umera (governor of governors, general over generals, premium inter pares), which made it easier for military leaders in the early tenth (sixth AH) century to settle into the to interfere with local politics and the military. In the middle of the century the rise of the powerful Shia dynasty of Daylamic origin, the Buyids, undermined the authority of the caliphs, who had already lost their prestige. Once established, this dynasty extended its political influence to Iraq. With the conquest of the political capital, Baghdād, began their hegemony over the Abbāsīd caliphate, which lasted for a century. Although the Buyids belonged to the Zeydi branch of the Shia sect of Islam, they did not abolish the Sunni title of caliph. Instead, they benefited from the caliphate's religious and spiritual authority over the Sunnis. During the era of al-Tā'i' Li'llāh, due to a series of political and internal issues, political, legal and administrative changes in the State became inevitable. The Buyids curtailed some privileges/rights that the caliphs had enjoyed for centuries. No caliph was publicly humiliated like al-Tā'i' Li'llāh because the Buyids did not take his office and personality with proper respect. As a bad example for his successors, the attitude towards his office and personality influenced the policies of future caliphs. His successors tried to restore the power and prestige of the caliphate that had been lost in his time. This dissertation examines in five chapters the life and political events among the Buyids during the Abbāsīd caliph al-Tā'i' Li'llāh. The first chapter summarises the political history of the Abbāsīd caliphate before al-Tā'i' Li'llāh became the caliph. The second chapter deals with the domestic politics of the Buyids under al-Tā'i' Li'llāh, the third with foreign relations. The fourth chapter examines the changes in the caliphate and the last chapter deals with his personality, his family and his last years.