Sulayhid dynasty

The Sulayhid dynasty (بنو صليح, Banu Ṣulayḥ) was an Ismaili Shia dynasty established in 1047 by Ali ibn Muhammad al-Sulayhi that ruled most of historical Yemen at its peak. The dynasty ended in 1138. The Sulayhid regime was affiliated to the Cairo-based Fatimid Caliphate and was a constant enemy of the Zaidi Shia rulers of Yemen throughout its existence.

The first Fatimid missionaries already appeared in Yemen in 881. Their creed was subsequently disseminated among the mounatain tribes in the early 10th century. During this period the Fatimid commander al-Fadl managed to conquer San'a and the central highlands in 905. Nevertheless, this regime was beaten by the indigenous Yufirid dynasty in 916. After this al-Fadl was murdered.

In spite of this setback the mission of the Fatimids continued. The Fatimid da'i (leader) in Yemen, Sulayman az-Zawahi, befriended a young man from the mountainous region Haraz to the south-west of San'a, Ali bin Muhammad as-Sulayhi (d. 1067 or possibly 1081). Ali was the son of a respected Sunni chief but nevertheless susceptible to the doctrines and decrees of the Fatimids. In 1046, Ali was eventually converted to the Ismaili creed and was appointed khalifa within the da'wa (dissemination of the creed). In 1047 he gathered an armed force in Haraz and thus founded the Sulayhid dynasty (1047-1138). In the following years his regime managed to subdue all of Yemen. The ruler of the Najahids in the Tihama lowland was poisoned in 1060 and his capital Zabid was taken by the Sulayhids. The first Sulayhid ruler conquered the whole of Yemen in 1062, and proceeded northwards to occupy the Hejaz. For a time, the Sulayhids appointed the Emirs of Mecca. Ali also controlled San'a since 1063, after bringing fighting against the Zaidiyyah to a successful conclusion. San'a was made the capital of his kingdom. The Ma'nids of Aden were defeated in 1062 and forced to pay tribute. Ali as-Sulayhi appointed governors in Tihama, al-Janad (close to Ta'izz) and at-Ta'kar (close to Ibb).

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