The ṣāḥib al-bāb (Arabic: صاحب الباب, lit. 'master of the gate'), also known as the wazīr al-ṣaghīr (Arabic: وزير الصغير, lit. 'the lesser vizier'), was one of the most senior offices of the Fatimid Caliphate in the 12th century.
The post is first attested in the early years of the 12th century, during the vizierate of al-Afdal Shahanshah, when Husam al-Mulk Aftakin is mentioned as holding it.[1] It effectively replaced the office of 'master of the curtain' (ṣāḥib al-sitr), which was usually held by a court eunuch of Slavic origin.[2] Unlike the latter office, the ṣāḥib al-bāb was always held by a military officer, and was counted among the most senior rank of commanders (the 'commanders with a collar', al-umarāʾ al-mutawwaqūn).[3] From the time of Abu'l-Muzaffar Khumurtash in c. 1141, the ṣāḥib al-bāb had the appellation al-muʿazzam ('the exalted, glorified').[1]
Most of the information about the duties of the office comes from the historian, and one-time Fatimid official, Ibn al-Tuwayr.[3] When the vizier was not of military origin, the ṣāḥib al-bāb was responsible for hearing the petitions and grievances (maẓālim) in the vizier's stead, taking up a seat at the Golden Gate, the entrance to the caliphal palace, for the purpose.[4][5] When the vizier was a military commander, the ṣāḥib al-bāb took up a role as the vizier's deputy and chief assistant.[1] He also shared with the army's commander-in-chief (isfahsālār or muqaddam al-ʿaskar) responsibility over military affairs.[5]
As head chamberlain, the ṣāḥib al-bāb also had a prominent role in public ceremonies and palace receptions.[1] For ceremonial matters he had a deputy, to whom the important role of leading envoys to their assigned places. He was usually drawn from the juridical or religious officials, and was addressed by the title of ʿadiyy al-mulk.[1]
Described as a "second vizierate", the office ranked second after the vizier in the official hierarchy, and served as a springboard for the vizierate itself for three of its holders: Abu'l-Fath Yanis, Ridwan ibn Walakhshi and Dirgham.[3][2] The office is translated by modern scholars as "high chamberlain"[3] or "majordomo".[6]
Brett, Michael (2017). The Fatimid Empire. The Edinburgh History of the Islamic Empires. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. ISBN978-0-7486-4076-8.
Halm, Heinz (2014). Kalifen und Assassinen: Ägypten und der vordere Orient zur Zeit der ersten Kreuzzüge, 1074–1171 [Caliphs and Assassins: Egypt and the Near East at the Time of the First Crusades, 1074–1171] (in German). Munich: C.H. Beck. ISBN978-3-406-66163-1.
sahib, ṣāḥib, bāb, arabic, صاحب, الباب, master, gate, also, known, wazīr, ṣaghīr, arabic, وزير, الصغير, lesser, vizier, most, senior, offices, fatimid, caliphate, 12th, century, post, first, attested, early, years, 12th, century, during, vizierate, afdal, shah. The ṣaḥib al bab Arabic صاحب الباب lit master of the gate also known as the wazir al ṣaghir Arabic وزير الصغير lit the lesser vizier was one of the most senior offices of the Fatimid Caliphate in the 12th century The post is first attested in the early years of the 12th century during the vizierate of al Afdal Shahanshah when Husam al Mulk Aftakin is mentioned as holding it 1 It effectively replaced the office of master of the curtain ṣaḥib al sitr which was usually held by a court eunuch of Slavic origin 2 Unlike the latter office the ṣaḥib al bab was always held by a military officer and was counted among the most senior rank of commanders the commanders with a collar al umaraʾ al mutawwaqun 3 From the time of Abu l Muzaffar Khumurtash in c 1141 the ṣaḥib al bab had the appellation al muʿazzam the exalted glorified 1 Most of the information about the duties of the office comes from the historian and one time Fatimid official Ibn al Tuwayr 3 When the vizier was not of military origin the ṣaḥib al bab was responsible for hearing the petitions and grievances maẓalim in the vizier s stead taking up a seat at the Golden Gate the entrance to the caliphal palace for the purpose 4 5 When the vizier was a military commander the ṣaḥib al bab took up a role as the vizier s deputy and chief assistant 1 He also shared with the army s commander in chief isfahsalar or muqaddam al ʿaskar responsibility over military affairs 5 As head chamberlain the ṣaḥib al bab also had a prominent role in public ceremonies and palace receptions 1 For ceremonial matters he had a deputy to whom the important role of leading envoys to their assigned places He was usually drawn from the juridical or religious officials and was addressed by the title of ʿadiyy al mulk 1 Described as a second vizierate the office ranked second after the vizier in the official hierarchy and served as a springboard for the vizierate itself for three of its holders Abu l Fath Yanis Ridwan ibn Walakhshi and Dirgham 3 2 The office is translated by modern scholars as high chamberlain 3 or majordomo 6 References edit a b c d e Sayyid 1995 p 832 a b Brett 2017 p 269 a b c d Sayyid 1995 p 831 Sayyid 1995 pp 831 832 a b Bearman et al 2002 Halm 2014 pp 216 220 Sources editBearman P J Bianquis Th Bosworth C E van Donzel E amp Heinrichs W P eds 2002 al Wazir al Ṣag h ir The Encyclopaedia of Islam Second Edition Volume XI W Z Leiden E J Brill p 197 ISBN 978 90 04 12756 2 Brett Michael 2017 The Fatimid Empire The Edinburgh History of the Islamic Empires Edinburgh Edinburgh University Press ISBN 978 0 7486 4076 8 Halm Heinz 2014 Kalifen und Assassinen Agypten und der vordere Orient zur Zeit der ersten Kreuzzuge 1074 1171 Caliphs and Assassins Egypt and the Near East at the Time of the First Crusades 1074 1171 in German Munich C H Beck ISBN 978 3 406 66163 1 Sayyid Ayman F 1995 Ṣaḥib al Bab In Bosworth C E van Donzel E Heinrichs W P amp Lecomte G eds The Encyclopaedia of Islam Second Edition Volume VIII Ned Sam Leiden E J Brill pp 831 832 ISBN 978 90 04 09834 3 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Sahib al bab amp oldid 1140502615, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
