Al-Mansur al-Husayn
Encyclopedia
Al-Mansur al-Husayn was an Imam
over parts of Yemen
, who ruled in rivalry with other competitors in 1716-1720. He belonged to the Qasimid family who dominated the Zaidi
imamate
of Yemen in 1597-1962.
Al-Husayn bin al-Qasim was a grandson of the imam al-Mu'ayyad Muhammad
I (d. 1644). He took opportunity of discontent with the current imam al-Mahdi Muhammad
. He claimed the imamate
in the strong fortification Shaharah
in 1716, taking the name al-Mansur. Large part of the country quickly fell away from the unpopular al-Mahdi Muhammad. The old imam released his nephew al-Qasim from prison and sent him to deal with the pretender. However, al-Mansur al-Husayn defeated his opponent at As Sudah
. Al-Qasim soon defected from his uncle, acknowledged al-Mansur al-Husayn, and besieged the old imam. Al-Mahdi Muhammad had to give up and sue for a truce. Al-Mansur al-Husayn began to strike coins in his own name. However, already in the same year 1716 a-Qasim turned against the new imam, and proclaimed himself with the name al-Mutawakkil al-Qasim
. He controlled San'a and the seaports, while al-Mansur al-Husayn merely held Shaharah and some surrounding territories. Blocked from the sources of revenue, he led a meagre existence until he died in 1720.
Imam
An imam is an Islamic leadership position, often the worship leader of a mosque and the Muslim community. Similar to spiritual leaders, the imam is the one who leads Islamic worship services. More often, the community turns to the mosque imam if they have a religious question...
over parts of Yemen
Yemen
The Republic of Yemen , commonly known as Yemen , is a country located in the Middle East, occupying the southwestern to southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the north, the Red Sea to the west, and Oman to the east....
, who ruled in rivalry with other competitors in 1716-1720. He belonged to the Qasimid family who dominated the Zaidi
Zaidiyyah
Zaidiyya, or Zaidism is a Shi'a Muslim school of thought named after Zayd ibn ʻAlī, the grandson of Husayn ibn ʻAlī. Followers of the Zaydi Islamic jurisprudence are called Zaydi Shi'a...
imamate
Imamate
The word Imamate is an Arabic word with an English language suffix meaning leadership. Its use in theology is confined to Islam.-Theological usage:...
of Yemen in 1597-1962.
Al-Husayn bin al-Qasim was a grandson of the imam al-Mu'ayyad Muhammad
Al-Mu'ayyad Muhammad
Al-Mu'ayyad Muhammad was an Imam of Yemen who belonged to the Qasimid family, descendants of the Prophet Muhammad...
I (d. 1644). He took opportunity of discontent with the current imam al-Mahdi Muhammad
Al-Mahdi Muhammad
Al-Mahdi Muhammad was an Imam of Yemen who ruled in 1686-1718. He belonged to the Qasimid family that was descended from the Prophet Muhammad and dominated the Zaidi imamate in 1597-1962.-Way to power:...
. He claimed the imamate
Imamate
The word Imamate is an Arabic word with an English language suffix meaning leadership. Its use in theology is confined to Islam.-Theological usage:...
in the strong fortification Shaharah
Shaharah District
Shaharah District is a district of the 'Amran Governorate, Yemen. As of 2003, the district had a population of 43,738 inhabitants....
in 1716, taking the name al-Mansur. Large part of the country quickly fell away from the unpopular al-Mahdi Muhammad. The old imam released his nephew al-Qasim from prison and sent him to deal with the pretender. However, al-Mansur al-Husayn defeated his opponent at As Sudah
As Sudah
As Sudah is a village in western central Yemen. It is located in the San‘a’ Governorate.-External links:*...
. Al-Qasim soon defected from his uncle, acknowledged al-Mansur al-Husayn, and besieged the old imam. Al-Mahdi Muhammad had to give up and sue for a truce. Al-Mansur al-Husayn began to strike coins in his own name. However, already in the same year 1716 a-Qasim turned against the new imam, and proclaimed himself with the name al-Mutawakkil al-Qasim
Al-Mutawakkil al-Qasim
Al-Mutawakkil al-Qasim was an Imam of Yemen who ruled in 1716–1727. He belonged to the Qasimid family, that was descended from the Prophet Muhammad and dominated the Zaidi imamate of Yemen in 1597–1962.-Usurpation of power:...
. He controlled San'a and the seaports, while al-Mansur al-Husayn merely held Shaharah and some surrounding territories. Blocked from the sources of revenue, he led a meagre existence until he died in 1720.