Harun of Tulunids

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Harun (d.30 December 904) was the fourth Emir of the Tulunids in Egypt (896-904)

He succeed his father Abu-l Ashir who had been murdered by army chiefs. He left state affairs to the vizir Abu Jafar ibn Ali, preferring to live a life of dissolute luxury. This led to a growing crisis in the country, since state finances could not be regulated and the army leaders gradually accrued more power to themselves.

The Abbasids took advantage of this state of affairs and invaded Syria in 904. The Tulunid troops deserted, and the forces of the Caliphate were able to enter the Nile valley. Harun was killed in an army mutiny. His successor was the last of the Tulunids, his uncle Shaiban (904-905).