Әл-Хайзуран: Аббасид халифасының әйелі және ислам тарихындағы ықпалды әйел

Wife of the Abbasid caliph Al Mahdi

Al Khayzuran bint Atta (الخيزران بنت عطاء) (died 789) was the wife of the Abbasid Caliph Al Mahdi and mother of both Caliphs Al Hadi and Harun al Rashid. She maintained de facto influence from 775 to 789 during the reign of her husband and sons and is known for her immense influence on state affairs. While not formally a ruler, al Khayzuran was nevertheless the first woman in the history of Islam to rule de facto and was the first woman in the history of Muslims to have gold coins in her name. She became one of the most powerful women of her time under the name of her husband and sons, al Mahdi, al Hadi and al Harun. During the reign of al Mahdi, al Khayzuran often appeared at the court when the caliph was present and also used great political power, and caliph sought her views on most matters before issuing orders. Al Khayzuran was also the first woman to have her own bureaucracy and court and accept petitions and the audience of officials and the people, and to command and forbid in the caliphate. Independent of the state treasury, she gained enormous wealth by having extensive trade relations with other countries. While al Mahdi spent most of his time hunting and having fun, she, by influencing the court, was able to hold meetings in her house to run the caliphate. Even after his death, she continued to wield premier power and influence during her sons' time. At the time of al Mahdi's untimely death, al Khayzuran in the capital (Baghdad) had already taken over government affairs and by hiding his death and paying the salaries of army officers, she secured the allegiance of the soldiers for her son al Hadi as the new caliph. but al Hadi opposed his mother in sharing and partnership unquestionable power in the caliphate, and al Khayzuran killed him after severe disputes. She brought Harun al Rashid to power. Unlike his brother, al Harun did not oppose his mother and officially handed over all power to his mother and relied upon his mother's advice.

Al Khayzuran was from Jorash, near modern Bisha, Saudi Arabia. She was kidnapped from her home by a Bedouin who then sold her in a slave market near Mecca to Al Mahdi during his pilgrimage. Officially it was illegal for Muslims to enslave Muslims, however all sources are nevertheless adamant that she was a slave, and to break the official rule barring the enslavement of Muslims was not an unusual in practice in that context. She eventually became the favorite of Al Mahdi. Upon his succession as caliph in 775, she convinced him to free and marry her; depriving his first wife, Princess Rayta (daughter of Caliph Al Saffah) of her privileges as well as demoting her son from the position of heir to the throne. Instead, Al Mahdi name Al Khayzuran's sons as his heirs, despite the fact that it went against custom for the sons of a slave to be so named. As a queen, al Khayzuran now held supreme authority over the caliph's harem; even the caliph had to behave in this area according to her wishes. She quickly took over the management of this complex institution, from social life to the planning of parties and ceremonies, including the management of the large sums of money that come in. From that point on, she was the most powerful and influential woman in the empire, accompanying Al Mahdi whenever he held court. She hidden behind a curtain, and if she did not agree with something, she would place her hand on his back out of sight. Al Khayzuran had direct access to the caliph at all times: her suggestions were always adopted, individuals she recommended were favored and promoted, and at her intercession he forgave enemies or commuted death sentences. her father caused a scandal by demanding public condolences, which was not deemed correct for a daughter.

In 785, Al Mahdi died during an expedition with his son Harun, who rushed back to Baghdad to inform her. Her two sons were also absent from the city, and to secure the succession for her son, she called upon the viziers and ordered them to pay the wages of the army to secure order, and then had them swear allegiance to her son as their new Caliph in his absence. when the Abbasid harem was established. Despite his opposition, Al Hadi did not manage to disturb his mother's extraordinary authority base, and she refused to retire from politics into the harem. The conflict was finally exposed in public when she interceded in favor of a supplicant, Abdallah ibn Malik, and publicly demanded a reply from her son, who lost his temper and openly yelled at her and said:
"Wait a moment and listen well to my words Whoever from among my entourage my generals, my servants comes to you with a petition will have his head cut off and his property confiscated. What is the meaning of those retinues that throng around your door every day? Don't you have a spindle to keep you busy, a Koran for praying, a residence in which to hide from those besieging you? Watch yourself, and woe to you if you open your mouth in favour of anyone at all." When she died in 789, her son broke the rules which demanded that he show no sorrow, and instead publicly demonstrated his sorrow and participated in her funeral, which attracted much attention.

Al Khayzuran was the mother of caliphs Musa al Hadi and Harun al Rashid. She had another son named Isa, and a daughter named Banuqah or Banujah. She was born in Mecca and brought up in Jurash. She had two sisters, Salsal and Asma, and a brother Ghitrif. She was al Mahdi's favourite wife. In her parental home she had a brother named Ghitrif ibn Atta, two daughters of Ghitrif; Ubaidah and Azizah married Al Khayzuran two son Musa and Harun respectively. Thus her two nieces became his daughter in laws too. No. Family memberRelation1 Al Mahdi Husband2 Musa al Hadi Son3 Harun al Rashid Son4 Isa ibn al Mahdi Youngest son5 Banuqa bint al Mahdi Daughter6 Lubabah bint Ja'far Daughter in law7 Ubaidah bint Ghitrif Daughter in law8 Zubaidah bint Ja'far Daughter in law9 Azizah bint Ghitrif Daughter in law10 Umm Muhammad Daughter in law

Al Khayzuran and her strong personality is believed by many literary historians to be a key influence on Scheherazade, the main character in One Thousand and One Nights. Many of the stories were influenced by Harun al Rashid and his fabulous court. Al Khayzuran was the second and last woman in the caliphate's history, who was the mother of more than one caliph (mother of two caliphs). The first woman was Wallāda, who was the mother of both Umayyad caliphs; al Walid I and Sulayman.