The eleventh day of Ramadan has witnessed major historical events that shaped Islamic and global history. These include the rise of the Abbasid movement in Khurasan, the ultimatum sent by Hulagu Khan to the last Abbasid caliph of Baghdad, and the entry of Sultan Selim I into Damascus, marking the expansion of the Ottoman Empire. Below are the details of these pivotal moments:
The Rise of the Abbasid Movement in Khurasan – 747 CE
On the eleventh day of Ramadan in 129 AH, the Abbasid movement began to openly manifest itself in Khurasan under the leadership of Abu Muslim al-Khurasani.
Background
Abu Muslim al-Khurasani, a young and charismatic figure, was chosen by the Abbasid leaders to propagate their cause in Khurasan, a region known for its dissatisfaction with the Umayyad rule. The Abbasids capitalized on ethnic tensions between Arabs and Persians and widespread grievances about taxes, governance, and the marginalization of non-Arabs.
Abu Muslim’s campaign gained momentum as he rallied the support of local populations, assassinated the Umayyad governor of Nishapur, and captured key cities. His victories set the stage for the eventual fall of the Umayyad Caliphate and the establishment of the Abbasid Caliphate.
Key Poetic Warning
Nashr ibn Sayyar, the Umayyad governor of Khurasan, sent a famous warning to the Umayyad caliph, which read:
“I see beneath the ashes the embers glowing;
It’s only a matter of time before they ignite.
If the wise do not extinguish the flames,
The fuel will be corpses and broken bones.”
Outcome
The Abbasid movement culminated in the defeat of the Umayyad army at the Battle of the Zab in 132 AH (750 CE), establishing the Abbasids as the rulers of the Islamic world. The caliphate’s first ruler, Abu al-Abbas al-Saffah, solidified Abbasid authority, but his reign was also marked by the persecution of remaining Umayyads, except for Abd al-Rahman al-Dakhil, who escaped to Andalusia.
Hulagu Khan’s Ultimatum to Baghdad – 1257 CE
On the eleventh day of Ramadan in 655 AH, Hulagu Khan, the Mongol leader, sent an ultimatum to the Abbasid Caliph Al-Musta’sim Billah, demanding the surrender of Baghdad.
The Context
The Mongols, under the command of Hulagu Khan, had already subdued large parts of the Islamic world, including Persia and the Levant. Hulagu’s advance was part of a broader campaign ordered by his brother, the Great Khan Mongke, to destroy the Abbasid Caliphate.
The Ultimatum
Hulagu’s letter threatened total destruction if the caliph failed to surrender. Al-Musta’sim ignored the warning, believing Baghdad’s defenses and its historical prestige as the capital of the Islamic world would deter the Mongols.
The Outcome
In Muharram 656 AH (February 1258 CE), the Mongols besieged Baghdad, sacked the city, and executed the caliph. Hundreds of thousands of inhabitants were massacred, and the city’s libraries, including the House of Wisdom, were destroyed. The fall of Baghdad marked the end of the Abbasid Caliphate as a political power and dealt a significant blow to Islamic civilization.
Ottoman Sultan Selim I Enters Damascus – 1516 CE
On the eleventh day of Ramadan in 922 AH, Sultan Selim I entered Damascus, marking the Ottoman Empire’s dominance over the Levant after defeating the Mamluks at the Battle of Marj Dabiq.
The Background
The Mamluk Sultan Qansuh al-Ghuri had refused to negotiate with Selim I, leading to a confrontation near Aleppo. The Ottoman artillery and tactical superiority, coupled with the defection of key Mamluk commanders, secured a decisive Ottoman victory at Marj Dabiq in Rajab 922 AH.
The Entry into Damascus
After capturing Aleppo and other key cities, Selim I laid siege to Damascus, which surrendered without significant resistance on the eleventh day of Ramadan. Selim appointed Ghazali, a former Mamluk commander who had defected to the Ottomans, as the governor of Damascus.
Significance
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- Selim’s entry into Damascus solidified Ottoman control over Syria and marked the beginning of Ottoman rule over the Arab world.
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- He visited the tomb of Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi and the mystic Ibn Arabi, emphasizing his role as the protector of Islamic heritage.
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- Selim assumed the title “Khadim al-Haramayn al-Sharifayn” (Servant of the Two Holy Mosques), a title symbolizing Ottoman custodianship over Mecca and Medina.
The Birth of Sa’id ibn Jubayr – Date Unknown
The eleventh day of Ramadan is also associated with the birth of Sa’id ibn Jubayr, a prominent early Islamic scholar and revolutionary. A student of Abdullah ibn Abbas, Sa’id was known for his deep knowledge of the Quran and hadith. He was executed by the Umayyad governor Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf for opposing Umayyad rule, becoming a symbol of resistance and righteousness.
