Backgrounds and ature of Crisis during al - Muqtadir billah Reign

This essay deals with the decline of the Abbasids at the beginning of the fourth century, which culminated in conquering of Baghdad by Muiz ud- Dawla (334 AH). A major factor in decreasing the dynasty politico-military authority was the disturbance of equilibrium and balance between the elements of the Abbasid System, during the Caliph al-Muqtadirbillah. In this essay, the factors influencing the functionality of the Abbasid political system will be assessed both diachronically and synchronically, in three levels of timing. The above factors will be emphasized specifically during the reign of al-Muqtadir billah. It seems that economic difficulties, their causes had been in work for a long time, together with changes in political and administrative structures, eventually led to a crisis. Inefficacy of bureaucracy and inability of the non-military actors in controlling it, led to disturbance of equilibrium and balance between the elements of the Abbasid governmental system and its inefficacy in facing the challenges. This issue resulted in interference of the military and their active involvement.