Early Life and Education
Hasan bin Sabbah was born in Qom, Iran, around 1034 CE. He belonged to a Twelver Shia family that had migrated from Yemen. He received his early education in Qom, where he excelled in mathematics, astronomy, and geometry. He also learned Arabic and Persian languages and literature. He was influenced by the Ismaili doctrines that were preached by a Fatimid dai (missionary), Amir Dharrab, who taught him the esoteric interpretation of the Quran and the history of the Ismaili imams. Hasan bin Sabbah was so impressed by the Ismaili teachings that he decided to join the Ismaili da'wa (mission) and dedicate his life to spreading the true message of Islam.
Travels and Missionary Activities
Hasan bin Sabbah left Qom in 1071 CE and traveled to various regions of Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Egypt, where he met with other Ismaili dais and learned more about the Ismaili doctrine and organization. He also made contact with influential figures and potential converts to the Ismaili cause. He visited Cairo, the capital of the Fatimid Caliphate, which was the seat of the Ismaili imam-caliph, al-Mustansir. He met with al-Mustansir and received his blessings and instructions for his mission. He also witnessed the political turmoil and factionalism that plagued the Fatimid state and threatened its survival.
Hasan bin Sabbah returned to Iran in 1076 CE and resumed his missionary activities. He faced opposition from the Sunni Seljuk Turks who had conquered most of Iran and imposed their rule and religion on the people. Hasan bin Sabbah used his intelligence, charisma, and diplomacy to win over supporters and allies among the local rulers, tribal chiefs, and religious scholars. He also recruited loyal followers who were ready to sacrifice their lives for him and the Ismaili imam. He trained them in various skills such as espionage, combat, disguise, and languages. These followers became known as fidais (devotees) or hashashin (assassins), a term that was derived from hashish, a narcotic substance that was allegedly used by them to induce a state of ecstasy and obedience.
The Conquest of Alamut
In 1090 CE, Hasan bin Sabbah achieved his most remarkable feat: he captured Alamut, a mountain fortress in northern Iran that became the headquarters of his state and movement. Alamut was strategically located on a high rock that overlooked a valley and was surrounded by natural defenses. It was also rich in water resources and fertile land that enabled it to sustain a large population. Hasan bin Sabbah acquired Alamut by bribing its caretaker who secretly admitted him and his men into the fortress at night. The next morning, Hasan bin Sabbah declared himself as the ruler of Alamut and announced his allegiance to the Ismaili imam.
The Nizari Ismaili State
Hasan bin Sabbah established a network of fortresses and strongholds throughout Iran and Syria that formed the Nizari Ismaili state. He also appointed governors and dais who administered his territories and propagated his teachings. He maintained communication with his followers through letters, messengers, and secret codes. He also collected taxes and revenues from his subjects and spent them on public works, education, welfare, and defense.
Hasan bin Sabbah faced many enemies who tried to destroy him and his state. These included the Seljuk Turks, the Abbasid Caliphate, the Crusaders, and other rival Muslim sects. Hasan bin Sabbah adopted a policy of deterrence and resistance against his foes. He used his fidais to carry out targeted assassinations against prominent figures who threatened his interests or oppressed his followers. Some of his famous victims were Nizam al-Mulk, the Seljuk vizier; Malik Shah, the Seljuk sultan; Raymond II, the Crusader prince of Tripoli; and al-Afdal, the Fatimid vizier. Hasan bin Sabbah also forged alliances with other powers such as the Khwarezmian dynasty, the Artuqids, and the Assassins of Syria, who shared his enemies or his ideology.
The Legacy of Hasan Bin Sabbah
Hasan bin Sabbah died in 1124 CE at the age of 90. He was succeeded by his son, Kiya Buzurg-Ummid, who continued his father's policies and expanded the Nizari Ismaili state. The Nizari Ismaili state lasted for more than a century and a half until it was destroyed by the Mongols in 1256 CE. However, the Nizari Ismailis survived as a religious community that still exists today and follows the spiritual guidance of their imam, who is known as the Aga Khan.
Hasan bin Sabbah was a remarkable figure in Islamic history who left a lasting impact on the world. He was a visionary and a reformer who challenged the status quo and advocated for a rational and spiritual interpretation of Islam. He was a leader and a strategist who created a state and a movement that defied the odds and resisted the forces of tyranny and oppression. He was also a legend and a mystery who inspired awe and fear among his friends and foes alike. He was Hasan bin Sabbah, the founder of the Nizari Ismaili state in Alamut.
For more information about Hasan bin Sabbah, you can download or read online free the following books in Urdu: [Hassan Bin Sabah By Almas M. A] or [Hasan Bin Sabah Ki Jannat by Khursheed Hashmi]. You can also visit the following website for an English article about him: [HASAN BIN SABBAH AND NIZARI ISMAILI STATE IN ALAMUT].
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