The fourteenth day of Ramadan has been marked by significant historical events, including the Abbasid capture of Damascus, the death of Muhammad al-Nafs al-Zakiyyah, and the ascension of Sultan Hasan ibn Qalawun to the throne of Egypt and Syria. Below are the key details of these events:
The Abbasids Enter Damascus – 750 CE
On the fourteenth day of Ramadan in 132 AH, the Abbasid forces entered Damascus, the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate, following a month-and-a-half-long siege after their decisive victory over the Umayyads at the Battle of the Zab.
Background
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- The Abbasid Revolution gained momentum after their victory at the Battle of the Zab in northern Iraq, where the last Umayyad caliph, Marwan II, was defeated.
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- Marwan fled to Harran (in modern-day Turkey) but could not rally sufficient support, leaving Damascus vulnerable.
The Siege and Aftermath
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- After weeks of resistance, the Abbasid forces breached the city’s defenses, seizing Damascus.
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- Many Umayyad leaders were killed, their properties looted, and the city’s political landscape transformed.
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- One prominent survivor was Abd al-Rahman ibn Muawiyah (known as Abd al-Rahman al-Dakhil), who escaped to Al-Andalus and established the Umayyad Emirate in Córdoba.
The Death of Muhammad al-Nafs al-Zakiyyah – 762 CE
On the fourteenth day of Ramadan in 145 AH, Muhammad al-Nafs al-Zakiyyah (Muhammad ibn Abdullah ibn al-Hasan), a prominent Alid leader, was killed by Abbasid forces under Caliph al-Mansur.
Who Was Muhammad al-Nafs al-Zakiyyah?
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- Muhammad, a descendant of Ali ibn Abi Talib and Fatimah, was renowned for his piety, knowledge, and leadership.
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- He opposed Abbasid rule, claiming that the descendants of Ali were more entitled to the caliphate.
The Revolt
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- Muhammad gathered support in Medina and declared himself caliph. Many residents of the city rallied to his cause.
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- In response, al-Mansur sent an army to suppress the revolt. After fierce fighting, Muhammad was killed, and his body was buried in Al-Baqi cemetery.
Sultan Hasan ibn Qalawun Assumes Power – 1347 CE
On the fourteenth day of Ramadan in 748 AH, Sultan Hasan ibn al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun ascended to the throne of Egypt and Syria at a young age.
Early Reign
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- Sultan Hasan, still a minor at the time, ruled under the regency of Emir Sayf al-Din Manjak and his brother.
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- His reign was initially marred by heavy taxation and the outbreak of a plague that devastated Egypt.
Coming of Age
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- In 751 AH, Sultan Hasan reached adulthood and assumed full control of the throne. He arrested his regents, signaling his independence.
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- His assertiveness alarmed other Mamluk emirs, who conspired to depose him.
Legacy
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- Sultan Hasan is best remembered for constructing the grand mosque and madrasa complex that bears his name in Cairo. This architectural masterpiece remains one of the finest examples of Mamluk architecture.
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- Despite his achievements, he was eventually overthrown and killed by rival emirs.
