Abu al-Misk Kafur

Gold dinar of Abu al-Misk Kafur minted in 966 in Ramla, Palestine

Abu al-Misk Kafur (Arabic: أبو المسك كافور) (905–968), also called al-Laithi, al-Suri, al-Labi was a dominant personality of Ikhshidid Egypt and Syria.[1] Originally a black slave, probably from Nubia, he was made vizier of Egypt, becoming its de facto ruler from 946 after the death of his master, Muhammad bin Tughj. Thereafter, he ruled the Ikshidid domains—Egypt and southern Syria (including Damascus)—until his death in 968.[2]

  1. ^ "Kāfūr, Abu'l Misk al-Ikhsidi." E.J. Brill's first encyclopaedia of Islam 1913-1936. Edited by: M. Th. Houtsma, E. van Donzel. Brill, 1993. p. 623
  2. ^ Abū al-Misk Kāfūr." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2008. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Jul. 2008