Sulayhid dynasty

Sulayhid dynasty
بَنُو صُلَيْح (in Arabic)
1047–1138
Capital
Common languagesArabic
Religion
Ismaili Shia Islam
GovernmentSultanate
Sultan 
• 1047–1066 (first)
Ali al-Sulayhi
• 1067/1081–1086
Al-Mukarram Ahmad
• 1086–1138
Arwa al-Sulayhi
Historical eraEarly Middle Ages
• Established
1047
• Disestablished
1138
CurrencyDinar
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Najahids
Rassids
Zurayids
Hamdanids (Yemen)
Najahids
Sulaymanids

The Sulayhid dynasty (Arabic: بَنُو صُلَيْح, romanizedBanū Ṣulayḥ, lit.'Children of Sulayh') was an Ismaili Shi'ite Arab dynasty established in 1047 by Ali ibn Muhammad al-Sulayhi that ruled most of historical Yemen at its peak. The Sulayhids brought to Yemen peace and a prosperity unknown since Himyaritic times.[1] The regime was confederate with the Cairo-based Fatimid Caliphate, and was a constant enemy of the Rassids - the Zaidi Shi'ite rulers of Yemen throughout its existence.[2] The dynasty ended with Arwa al-Sulayhi affiliating to the Taiyabi Ismaili sect, as opposed to the Hafizi Ismaili sect that the other Ismaili dynasties such as the Zurayids and the Hamdanids adhered to.

  1. ^ Clive K. Smith (1981) The Suleihid dynasty in the Yemen, Asian Affairs, 12:1, p.21
  2. ^ Contemporary Yemen: politics and historical background, By B. R. Pridham, pg.14