Part 2
Author: Harith Ubaida
The Establishment of the Seljuk Empire
During a pivotal period in the Arab Islamic East, the emergence of the Seljuks profoundly impacted the political transformations in regions that were, on one hand, incorporated into the Abbasid Caliphate’s domain and, on the other hand, drawn towards the Shia Fatimid Caliphate.
In these circumstances, the Seljuks laid the foundation of a vast Turkish empire that emerged in the 5th century of the Islamic Hijri calendar, corresponding to the 11th century of the Gregorian calendar. This empire spanned Khorasan, Transoxiana (Māwarāʾ al-Nahr), Iraq, Iran, the Levant, and parts of Asia. Initially, the capital of the empire was Isfahan in Iran, but it was later moved to Baghdad in Iraq.
During this period, several smaller Seljuk states emerged in regions such as Khorasan, Transoxiana (modern-day Uzbekistan and Tajikistan), the Levant (Seljuks of Sham), and Anatolia (Seljuks of Rum). All these states remained subordinate to the greater Seljuk Empire, centered in Iran and Iraq.
The Seljuks strongly supported the Abbasid Caliphate in Baghdad and its Sunni doctrine (Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama’ah). At the time, the empire was nearing decline due to the influence of the Buyid dynasty in Iran and Iraq and the Fatimids (Ubaydis) in the Levant and Egypt. However, the Seljuks ended Buyid rule and firmly opposed the Fatimid Caliphate.
In 347 AH, Seljuk leader Tughril Beg decisively ended Buyid rule in Baghdad, restoring order by suppressing uprisings. He also removed offensive inscriptions against the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) from mosque doors and executed the Shia leader, Abu Abdullah al-Jallab, for his extremist views in Rafidism.
The Buyid Shia influence had deeply infiltrated Baghdad and the Abbasid Caliphate. However, after the Seljuks dismantled the Buyid Empire, Tughril Beg entered the Abbasid capital. Caliph Al-Qa’im bi Amrillah warmly welcomed him, honored him with fine garments, seated him beside himself, and bestowed upon him prestigious titles, including “Sultan Rukn al-Din Tughril Beg.”
Subsequently, the Abbasid Caliph issued a decree stating that Sultan Tughril Beg’s name should be inscribed on the coins and khutbahs should be recited in his name in the mosques of Baghdad. Prayers for him were to be offered during Friday prayers and at other places. Due to the Caliph’s favor, the Seljuks gained respect throughout the Islamic world and replaced the Buyids as the ruling authority in Baghdad. The Abbasid Caliph would accept every piece of advice from them with great respect and held them in high esteem.
Tughril Beg was a man of remarkable strength, intelligence, and bravery—deeply devoted to his faith and a champion of justice. His noble character earned him a growing number of supporters every day. Commanding a powerful army, he tirelessly worked to unite the Seljuk Turks under one rule while dedicating himself to spreading Islam.
To further strengthen ties with the Seljuk Empire, Caliph Al-Qaim bi-Amrillah married the daughter of Tughril Beg’s elder brother, Ja’far Beg, in 448 AH (1059 CE). In 1062 AD, Tughril Beg himself married the daughter of Al-Qaim bi-Amrillah. However, shortly after, Tughril Beg’s life came to an end.
Tughril Beg passed away on the 8th of Ramadan, 454 AH (1062 CE), just one month after his marriage, at the age of seventy. Before his death, he had firmly established Seljuk power in Khorasan and northwestern Iraq, securing their authority in these regions.
