The Role of Military Groups in the Developments of the Abbasid Caliphate (300-330 AH) Based on Max Weber's Concept of Patrimonialism. (Case Study of Three Groups: Masafids, Sajids, and Hujrids)

Based on Weber's patrimonial approach, this study investigates the role of three military groups Masafids, Sajids, and Hujrids, who served under the Abbasid Caliphate, in the events between the years 300 to 330 AH. This study also aims to determine how the three groups came to be a part of the Abbasid administration, what role they had in maintaining or weakening the caliphs' authority, and why they supported or opposed the caliphs.Unlike the Umayyad Caliphate, whose military structure had a tribal character and relied entirely on the Levant, the formidable military apparatus of the Abbasid state relied on military units called "Abna," "Mawali," and "Zawaqil." At the beginning of the fourth century AH, low-ranking military groups played a decisive role in the politics of the Abbasid Caliphate.The three groups, "Masafids," "Sajids," and "Hujrids," were more prominent than the others, and their role was quite evident during the caliphate of al-Muqtadir, al-Qahir, and al-Radhi.The findings of this study show that owing to financial considerations, the three groups used various tactics at various periods as they supported the caliphs at times and collaborated with their foes at other times. Moreover, the caliphs' excessive reliance on these armed groups resulted in the grant of estates and other privileges, leading to the disintegration of the Islamic domain.