Isma'il ibn Ahmad

Isma'il ibn Ahmad
Amir of the Samanid Empire
Reign	August 892 – November 907
Titles	Isma'il Samani
Born	849[1]
Birthplace	Fergana
Died	November, 907
Buried	Bukhara
Predecessor	Nasr I
Successor	Ahmad ibn Isma'il
Issue	Ahmad ibn Isma'il
Royal House	Samanid
Father	Ahmad ibn Asad
Religious beliefs	Sunni Islam

Isma'il ibn Ahmad (Persian: ابو ابراهیم اسماعیل بن احمد سامانی‎, Tajik: Абу Иброҳим Исмоил ибни Аҳмади Сомонӣ, Abu Ibrahim Ismail ibn Ahmad Samani, d. November 907)^[2] was the Samanid amir of Transoxiana (892-907) and Khorasan (900-907). His reign saw the emergence of the Samanids as a powerful force. He was the son of Ahmad ibn Asad and a descendant of Saman Khuda, the founder of the Samanid dynasty who renounced Zoroastrianism and embraced Islam.^[3] Ismail is considered the father of the Tajik nation.^{[citation needed]}

Early life

Gaining approval of the local population, Ismail was described as good natured devout Muslim, relying exclusively on Allah^[4] in accordance with the Islamic principle of tawheed. During his brother Nasr's reign, Isma'il was sent to take control of Bukhara, which had been devastated by looting on the part of forces from Khwarazm. The citizens of the city welcomed Isma'il, seeing him as someone who could bring stability.

Soon afterwards, a disagreement over where tax money should be distributed caused a falling out between Nasr and Isma'il. A struggle ensued, in which Isma'il proved victorious. Although he took effective control of the state, he did not formally overthrow his brother, instead remaining in Bukhara. He did so because Nasr had been the one whom the Caliph had given the formal investiture of Transoxiana to; in the caliph's eyes, Nasr was the only legitimimate ruler of the region. Furthermore, the Saffarids of Sistan had claims on Transoxiana; the overthrow of Nasr would have given the Saffarids a pretext for invading. Isma'il therefore continued to formally recognize Nasr as ruler until the latter's death in August 892, at which point he officially took power.

Reign and Missionary Efforts

Isma'il was active to the north and east, steadily spreading Samanid influence as well as solidifying his control over other areas including Kirman, Sistan and Kabul.^[5] Ismail was successful in establishing economic and commercial development and organized a powerful army.^[6] It was said that he made his capital Bukhara into one of Islam's most glorious cities,^[7] as Ismail attracted scholars, artists, and doctors of law into the region.^[8] The first translation of the Qu'ran into Persian was completed during Samanid rule. Sunni theology greatly cultivated during Ismail's reign, as numerous mosques and madrassas were built.^[9]

In 893, Ismail took the city of Talas, the capital of the Karluk Turks, taking large numbers of slaves and livestock. In addition, a Nestorian church was converted into a mosque.^[10] He also brought an end to the Osrūshana dynasty, extending Samanid control over the Syr Darya river.^[11] Ismail and other Samanid rulers propagated Islam amongst the inhabitants and as many as 30,000 tents of Turks came to profess Islam. During his reign he subjugated numerous regional states to the east, directly incorporating some within his boundaries and retaining the local rulers of others as vassals. Khwarezm to the north was partitioned; the southern part remained autonomous under its Afrighid rulers, while the northern part was governed by a Samanid official. Another campaign in 903 further secured the Samanid boundaries. These campaigns kept the heart of his state safe from Turkish raids, and allowed Muslim missionaries to expand their activities in the region.

Campaigns

Even after his brother Nasr's death, Ismail's rule in Bukhara was not formally recognized by the caliph at that point. As a result, the Saffarid ruler 'Amr-i Laith himself asked the caliph for the investiture of Transoxiana. The caliph, Al-Mu'tadid however sent Ismail a letter urging him to fight Amr-i Laith and the Saffarids whom the caliph considered usurpers. According to the letter, the caliph stated that he prayed for Ismail who the caliph considered as the rightful ruler of Khorasan.^[12] The letter had a profound effect on Ismail, as he was determined to oppose the Saffarids.

The two sides fought in Balkh, northern Afghanistan during the spring of 900. During battle, Ismail was significantly outnumbered as he came out with 20,000 horsemen against Amr's 70,000 strong cavalry.^[13] Ismail's horsemen were ill-equipped with most having wooden stirrups while some had no shields or lances. Amr-i Laith's cavalry on the other hand, were fully equipped with weapons and armor. Despite fierce fighting, Amr was captured as some of his troops switched sides and joined Ismail.^[14] Isma'il wished to ransom him to the Saffarids, but they refused, so he sent 'Amr to the caliph, who blamed 'Amr's conduct^[15] in the matter and then invested Isma'il with Khurasan, Tabaristan, Ray, and Isfahan.

Isma'il decided to take advantage of the caliph's grant by sending an army to Tabaristan, which was then controlled by the Zaydids. The Samanid army defeated and killed the Zaydid ruler Muhammad ibn Zayd, but then Isma'il's general Muhammad ibn Harun revolted. In 901 Isma'il led an army into northern Persia, including Tabaristan, forcing Muhammad to flee to Dailam. By 900 the Samanids had also conquered western territories to Ray and Qazvin, though subsequent rulers lost the territory to the Daylamites and Kurds.^[11]

Although Isma'il continued to send gifts to the caliph, as was customary, he neither paid tribute or taxes. For all intents and purposes he was an independent ruler, although he never took any title higher than that of amir.

Death

After a long sickness Isma'il died in 907 and was succeeded by his son Ahmad Samani. Ismail gave enormous amounts of booty and riches to others, and kept nothing.^[16]

Legacy

According to a Bukharian historian writing in 943 stated that Ismail:

"Was indeed worthy and right for padishahship. He was intelligent, just, compassionate person, one possessing reason and prescience...he conducted affairs with justice and good ethics. Whoever tyrannize people he would punish...In affairs of state he was always impartial."^[16]

The celebrated scholar Nizam al-Mulk, in his famous work, Siyasatnama, stated that Ismail:

"Was extremely just, and his good qualities were many. He had pure faith in God (to Him be power and glory) and he was generous to the poor - to name only one of his notable virtues.^[17]

With the end of Soviet Union dominion in Central Asia, Ismail's legacy was rediscovered and rehabilitated. The Somoni currency of Tajikistan is named after Ismail. Also, the highest mountain in Tajikistan (and in the former Soviet Union) is named after Ismail. The mountain was formerly known as "Stalin Peak" and "Communism Peak" but was subsequently changed to the Ismoil Somoni Peak.

Also the greatest award of Tajikistan which is equal to $2000 USD is in his name.

See also

• Ismoil Somoni Peak
• Tajiks
• Somoni
• Da'wah

References

Source

• Frye, R.N. (1975). "The Sāmānids". In Frye, R.N. The Cambridge History of Iran, Volume 4: From the Arab Invasion to the Saljuqs. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 136–161. ISBN 0-521-20093-8. 

Preceded by Nasr I	Amir of the Samanids 892–907	Succeeded by Ahmad Samani

v t e Rulers of the Samanid Empire (819–1004) Nuh ibn Asad (819–841) Ahmad ibn Asad (819–864) Yahya ibn Asad (819–855) Ibrahim ibn Ilyas (856-867) Nasr I (864–892) Isma'il ibn Ahmad (892–907) Ahmad Samani (907–914) Nasr II (914–943) Nuh I (943–954) Abd al-Malik I (954–961) Mansur I (961–976) Nuh II (976–997) Mansur II (997–999) Abd al-Malik II (999) Isma'il Muntasir (1000–1004)

Authority control VIAF: 233406850

Persondata
Name	Ismail ibn Ahmad
Alternative names
Short description	Samanid ruler
Date of birth	849
Place of birth	Fergana
Date of death	907
Place of death