Encyclopedia of Islam

The Fatimid dynasty’s most memorable ruler
was the caliph al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah (r. 996–
1021), who built a monumental mosque and
gateways in Cairo and founded the House of
Knowledge. In 1009, however, he destroyed the
Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the burial place of
JesUs, which contributed to the launching of the
First crUsade at the end of the century. Al-Hakim
has also been charged with abusing his power by
arbitrarily ordering the execution of members
of his court, confining women to their homes,
persecuting Christians, Jews, and Sunni Muslims,
banning popular recreational activities, having
Cairo’s dogs killed because their barking annoyed
him, and outlawing the game of chess. Al-Hakim

died under mysterious circumstances in 1021, but

Ismaili claims about his divinity gave rise to the

drUze religion in Syria. Later, after 1094, a schism

in the dynasty led to the creation of the two major

branches of the Ismaili Shia, the Mustalis and the

Nizaris. The Yemeni and Indian Bohra Ismailis

trace their origins to the first of these branches;

the latter is associated with the sect known in the

West as the assassins and the modern-day aga

khan Ismailis. The Fatimid dynasty suffered from

a number of damaging internal and external crises,

including natural catastrophes, dynastic disputes,

ethnic and religious factionalism, opposition from

powerful Sunni rulers in Syria and Iraq, and the

invasion of the first crusaders from Europe in

The mosque of al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah (early 11th century), Cairo, Egypt ( Juan E. Campo)

K 232 Fatimid dynasty