Al-Qa'im (Fatimid caliph)

al-Qa'im bi-Amr Allah
Gold dinar of Al'Qa'im
Caliph of the Fatimid Caliphate
Reign	934 – 946
Predecessor	al-Mahdi billah
Successor	al-Mansur bi-Nasr Allah
Born	893
Died	17 May 946
Issue	al-Mansur bi-Nasr Allah
Full name Kunya: Abu'l-Qasim Given name: Muhammad Laqab: al-Qa'im bi-Amr Allah
Father	al-Mahdi Billah
Mother	?
Religion	Shia Islam

Abu'l-Qasim Muhammad ibn al-Mahdi (Arabic: أبو القاسم محمد بن المهدي القائم بأمر الله‎‎; 893 – 17 May 946), better known by his regnal name al-Qa'im bi-Amr Allah or bi-Amri 'llah (القائم بأمر الله, "He who carries out God's orders"), was the second caliph of the Fatimid Caliphate in Ifriqiya and ruled from 934 to 946. He is the 12th Imam according to the Isma'ili faith.

History

Al-Qaim was born in Salamiya in Syria in 895 with the name Abd ar-Rahman. After his father Ubayd Allah al-Mahdi Billah (910-934) seized power in Ifriqiya he was named heir to the throne in 912, and helped put down several revolts. However campaigns into Egypt faltered against the resistance of the Abbasids (914-915 and 919-921), with heavy casualties.

In 934 Al-Qaim succeeded his father as Caliph, after which he never again left the royal residence at Mahdia. Nevertheless, the Fatimid realm became an important power in the Mediterranean. After the re-conquest of Sicily the Byzantine province of Calabria and the coast of Italy and France were plundered.

But from 944 to 947 the realm was plunged into crisis by the revolt of Abu Yazid, who had united the Kharijite Berber tribes of the Aurès Mountains of eastern Algeria and overrun Ifriqiya. Imam Al-Qaim was able to hold out in Mahdia with the help of the navy for over a year, but died (17 May 946) before the revolt could be put down.

He was succeeded by his son Ismail al-Mansur (946-953). He died on 13 th Shawwal 334 AH (Mahdiyya)/ 17 May 946 AD

External links and references

• Imam al-Qaaim, the 12th Fatimi Imam.

Al-Qa'im (Fatimid caliph) Born: 893 Died: 17 May 946
Regnal titles
Preceded by Al-Mahdi Billah	Caliph of the Fatimid Caliphate 934-946	Succeeded by Al-Mansur Bi-Nasrillah