★ UNDATED ★

AYYUBID.al-Nasir Salah al-Din Yusuf I..(1169-1193).Dimashq.Half Dirham.

Obv : الملك النا / صر صلاح / الدين(Al-Malik Al-Nasir / Salah / al-Din; The Victorious King / Salah / al-Din).
Arabic legand.

Rev : الامام / المستضي / بامر الله(Al-Imam / Al-Mustadi’ / Bi-Amr Allah; The Imam / The Seeker of God's Command).
Arabic legand.
Nicol 106a.

Condition : The coin exhibits a silver-gray patina with light aging effects. The surface is relatively smooth, with some subtle wear on the raised inscriptions and edges. The patina adds to the coin’s antique appeal, giving it an authentic historical look while maintaining the legibility of its intricate details.Very fine.

Material : Silver.
Axis : 10h

Weight : 1.40 gr
Diameter : 14 mm

Al-Imam Al-Mustadi’ Bi-Amr Allah, known as Al-Mustadi, was an Abbasid caliph who ruled from 1170 to 1180. His full name was Al-Mustadi' Bi-Amr Allah Abu Muhammad al-Hasan ibn Yusuf al-Mustanjid. He was the son of the previous caliph, Al-Mustanjid, and succeeded him after his death. Al-Mustadi's reign, although relatively short, was a significant period in the history of the Abbasid Caliphate, marked by internal reforms and the continued struggle against external forces, particularly the Crusaders.

Al-Mustadi came to power during a time when the Abbasid Caliphate had lost much of its political and military power. The caliphs of Baghdad had become largely symbolic rulers, with real authority resting in the hands of powerful military leaders and regional rulers, such as the Seljuks, who dominated much of the Islamic world. Despite this, the caliphate retained considerable religious and symbolic influence, and Al-Mustadi worked to strengthen the moral and religious authority of the Abbasid state.

One of the most important aspects of Al-Mustadi's reign was his focus on internal reform. He is credited with taking steps to improve the administration of the caliphate, promoting justice, and ensuring the well-being of his subjects. He was particularly noted for his efforts to combat corruption within the government and to provide aid to the poor and needy. His reign is remembered as a time when the caliphate sought to align itself more closely with Islamic values and principles, despite the political challenges of the time.

Al-Mustadi's relationship with external powers was shaped by the ongoing conflicts between Muslim states and the Crusader states established in the Levant. During his reign, the famous Muslim general Salah al-Din (Saladin) rose to prominence, particularly in his efforts to recapture Jerusalem and other territories from the Crusaders. Although Al-Mustadi had limited political and military power, he supported Salah al-Din's campaigns and legitimized his efforts as part of the broader jihad against the Crusaders. This relationship between the Abbasid caliphate and Salah al-Din was important, as it helped to rally support for the Muslim cause across the Islamic world.

In religious matters, Al-Mustadi upheld the Abbasid tradition of promoting Sunni orthodoxy, in opposition to the Shi'a movements that had challenged Abbasid rule in earlier centuries. He worked to strengthen the influence of the Sunni religious establishment, particularly the jurists and scholars, who played a central role in the administration of justice and education. His reign is noted for fostering a closer relationship between the caliphate and the Sunni ulema (scholars), who saw him as a defender of Islamic law and tradition.

Al-Mustadi’s reign also saw the continued decline of the Seljuk Empire, which had dominated much of the Middle East and served as protectors of the Abbasid caliphs. The weakening of Seljuk power allowed the Abbasids to reassert a degree of independence in Baghdad and the surrounding areas, although they still lacked the military strength to challenge regional rulers. Al-Mustadi took advantage of this power vacuum to consolidate his own position, particularly in matters of internal governance.

Despite his efforts at reform, Al-Mustadi's reign was constrained by the political realities of the time. The Abbasid Caliphate, while still a revered institution, had lost much of its former glory. The rise of regional powers, particularly in Egypt and Syria under Salah al-Din, and the continued presence of the Crusaders in the Levant, meant that Al-Mustadi's influence was limited. Nonetheless, his reign is remembered as a period of moral renewal and religious revival within the Abbasid state.

Al-Mustadi died in 1180 and was succeeded by his son, Al-Nasir, who would go on to have a much longer reign. Al-Mustadi's legacy lies primarily in his efforts to promote justice, combat corruption, and support the Sunni religious establishment. Although he did not possess the military or political power to restore the Abbasid Caliphate to its former dominance, he is remembered as a pious and just ruler who sought to uphold Islamic values in a time of great political challenges. His support for Salah al-Din's campaigns against the Crusaders also linked his reign to one of the most significant events in medieval Islamic history—the recapture of Jerusalem.