A glimpse at the ‘Ubaydi (Fatimid) state – its origins and beliefs
Question

                What is your opinion about who calls for restoration of the Faatimi caliphate and the state of “Obeidis” saying: “The Faatimi state is the Islamic state that has the right solution at the current time as it had it in the past”?.
Praise be to Allah.
    This person is making a grave error when he describes the 
    ‘Ubaydi state as being an Islamic state. 

    The ‘Ubaydi state – which is what they call the Fatimid state 
    by way of deception– was founded in Tunis in 297 AH, and moved to Egypt in 
    362 AH, where it was firmly established, and its power spread to a large 
    part of the Muslim world, such as Syria and the Arabian Peninsula. 

    Its rule began with al-Mu’izz li Deen-Allaah Mu’aadh ibn 
    al-Mansoor al-‘Ubaydi and ended with al-‘Aadid ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Yoosuf in 567 
    AH. 

    The Sunni imams, scholars and historians spoke of the 
    founding of this state and explained that their claims to be descended from 
    Faatimah (may Allaah be pleased with her) were false, and they described how 
    it spread kufr and heresy, persecuted Ahl al-Sunnah, and supported the 
    kuffaar and even cooperated with them against the Muslims. Among these imams 
    and historians were: Abu Shaamah, Ibn Taghri Bardi, Ibn Taymiyah, Ibn 
    Katheer, al-Dhahabi and many others. 

    Imam al-Dhahabi said of ‘Ubayd-Allaah al-Mahdi, who was the 
    first ruler of that state: 

    There are several opinions concerning the lineage of 
    al-Mahdi, which may be summed up by noting that he was neither Haashimi nor 
    Faatimi [i.e., he was not descended from Banu Haashim or from Faatimah]. End 
    quote. 

    Siyar A’laam al-Nubala’ 
    (15/151). 

    And he said: 

    The genealogists and scholars denied his claims concerning 
    his lineage. End quote. 

    Tareekh al-Islam, events of 
    321-330 AH, p. 23 

    It was narrated that Abu Shaamah – who wrote a book about 
    this state entitled Kashf ma kaana ‘alayhi Banu ‘Ubayd min al-Kufr 
    wa’l-Kadhb wa’l-Makr wa’l-Kayd – said: 

    They claimed to be descendents of the Prophet  (peace and 
    blessings of Allaah be upon him), although they are descended from a Magian 
    or Jew, until they became known as such, and their state was called 
    al-dawlah al-‘alawiyyah (‘Alawi state – i.e., descendents of ‘Ali) or 
    al-dawlah al-faatimiyyah (Fatimid state). But in fact it is the esoteric, 
    heretic “Jewish state” or “Magian state”. End quote.  

    See: Siyar A’laam al-Nubala’ (15/213) and 
    al-Rawdatayn fi Akhbaar al-Dawlatayn ((1/216). 

    Among the actions and beliefs of the rulers of that state: 
    they claimed to have knowledge of the unseen, and they made claims of 
    Prophethood and divinity, and they demanded that their subjects and 
    followers prostrate to them, and they reviled the Sahaabah. There follows 
    proof of the above and more: 

    1 –Claims of Prophethood and divinity: 

    al-Dhahabi (may Allaah have mercy on him) narrated that the 
    fuqaha’ and devoted worshippers supported the Khawaarij in their war against 
    the ‘Ubaydis because of the kufr and heresy of the latter. When Abu Yazeed 
    Makhlad ibn Keedaad al-Khaariji wanted to fight Banu ‘Ubayd, al-Dhahabi (may 
    Allaah have mercy on him) said: 

    The fuqaha’ and devoted worshippers hastened to make full 
    preparations with drums and banners. Ahmad ibn Abi’l-Waleed addressed them 
    on Friday at Jumu’ah prayers, and he exhorted them and said: Strive against 
    the one who disbelieves in Allaah and claims that he is a lord instead of 
    Allaah. … And he said: O Allaah, this kaafir Qarmati who is known as Ibn 
    ‘Ubayd-Allaah and claims to be divine is denying Your blessings, and He 
    disbelieves in Your Lordship, slanders Your Messengers, disbelieves in 
    Muhammad Your Prophet, and sheds blood. Curse him greatly and humiliate him 
    deeply and send Your curse upon him morning and evening. Then he came down 
    and led them in Jumu’ah prayer. 

    Siyar A’laam al-Nubala’ 
    (15/155). 

    Among those who claimed divinity was the ‘Ubaydi ruler of 
    whom al-Dhahabi said: The heretic Ismaili who claims to be divine. 

    Al-Siyar (15/173). 

    He also said concerning him: 

    It was said that he wanted to claim to be divine and he 
    started to do so, but the prominent figures of his state spoke to him and 
    warned that all the people would rebel against him. End quote. 

    Al-Siyar (15/176). 

    Among those who incited the ruler to make these claims was 
    Hamzah ibn ‘Ali al-Zawzani who was one of those who claimed that the ruler 
    was divine, and who founded the Druze sect in Syria. 

    Al-Dhahabi (may Allaah have mercy on him) also said: 

    The heretic Durzi was killed because of his claims that the 
    ruler was divine, and some of the ignorant used to say when they saw the 
    ruler: “O One, O One, O giver of life, O giver of death.” 

    Al-Siyar (15/180, 181). 

    Al-Dhahabi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: 

    I read in a one-volume book of history which describes what 
    happened each year and was written by some good people around the year 630 
    and was given to the ruler of Egypt, al-Malik al-Saalih, in 667: 

    This action (i.e., putting an end to the ‘Ubaydi state) was 
    one of the noblest of the deeds of Salaah al-Deen al-Ayyoobi. What a good 
    thing he did, for these people were baatinis and heretics who called for 
    belief in transmigration of souls and the belief that the divine was 
    physically incarnated in them.  

    Al-Dhahabi said: al-Haakim said to his propagandist: How many 
    do you have listed (as followers)? He said: Sixteen thousand who believe 
    that you are god. 

    Their poet said: 

    “Rule, for you are the one, the compeller; it is what you 
    wish and not what the divine decree wills” 

    May Allaah curse both the praiser and the praised, for this 
    is no less abhorrent than when Pharaoh said, “I am your lord, most high” 
    [al-Naaz’iaat 79:24]. 

    One of their poets said concerning al-Mahdi in Raqqaadah: 

    “Adam and Nooh are there, and anything other than Allaah is 
    nothing.

    The Messiah is there in Raqqaadah, Allaah in His glory is 
    there.” 

    He said:  

    This man is worse in his kufr than the Christians, because 
    the Christians believe that the divine was incarnated physically in ‘Eesa 
    only, but these people believe that He was incarnated in the bodies of Adam, 
    Nooh, the Prophets and all the imams. 

    This is their creed, may Allaah curse them. 

    Tareekh al-Islam, events of 
    561-570 AH, p. 274-281. 

    When ‘Ubayd-Allaah claimed to be a prophet, he brought two of 
    the faqeehs of Qayrawaan to appear before him as he was sitting on his 
    throne, and he ordered one of his servants to say to the two Shaykhs: “Do 
    you bear witness that this man is the messenger of Allaah?” They said: “By 
    Allaah, if he came to us with the sun on his right and the moon on his left, 
    both of them saying that he was a messenger of Allaah, we would not believe 
    that.” So he ordered that they be slaughtered. 

    Al-Siyar (14/217). 

    2 – Claim to have knowledge of the unseen 

    Ibn Khallikaan (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: 

    They claimed to have knowledge of the unseen, and there are 
    well known reports concerning that.  

    Wafiyaat al-A’yaan (5/373, 374) 

    3 – People prostrated for them 

    They ordered the people to prostrate for them. al-Dhahabi 
    (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: 

    In 396 AH, khutbahs were given in the two holy sanctuaries 
    under the authority of the ruler of Egypt al-Haakim, and the people were 
    ordered to stand up and prostrate when he was mentioned. Inna Lillaahi wa 
    inna ilayhi raaji’oon (Verily to Allaah we belong and unto Him is our 
    return).  

    Duwal al-Islam (1/350). 

    When al-Haakim was mentioned they would stand up and 
    prostrate for him. Al-Dhahabi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: 

    They stood up and prostrated in the market place, and in 
    their meeting places. Inna Lillaahi wa inna ilayhi raaji’oon (Verily 
    to Allaah we belong and unto Him is our return). These ‘Ubaydis were an evil 
    that befell Islam and the Muslims. 

    Al-Tareekh, events of 381-400 
    AH, p. 234. 

    4 – They killed the scholars who did not follow their 
    beliefs 

    Abu’l-Hasan al-Qaabisi, the author of al-Mulakhkhas, 
    said: The number of those killed by ‘Ubayd-Allaah and his descendents in his 
    torture chamber was four thousand scholars and worshippers, to stop them 
    saying “Radiya Allaah ‘anhum (may Allaah be pleased with them)” about 
    the Sahaabah.               

    Al-Siyar (15/145). 

    5 – The Qaraamitah participated in their crimes 

    al-Dhahabi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: 

    During the reign of al-Mahdi the Qaraamitah committed crimes 
    in Bahrain. They attacked the pilgrims, killing and taking prisoners, and 
    they violated the sanctuary of Allaah in Makkah and took away the Black 
    Stone. ‘Ubayd-Allaah corresponded with them and incited them, may Allaah 
    destroy him. 

    Al-Siyar (15/147). 

    6 – Reviling the Sahaabah 

    During the reign of al-‘Azeez, the Sahaabah were reviled 
    openly. 

    Al-Siyar (15/170). 

    He ordered that words reviling the Sahaabah be written on the 
    doors of the mosques and in the streets, and he ordered his state workers to 
    revile them in 395 AH. 

    Tareekh al-Islam, events of 395 
    AH, p. 283. 

    And he said:  

    Reviling of the Sahaabah was widespread during his reign 
    (i.e., al-Mustansir) and the Sunnah was unknown and hidden. 

    Al-Siyar (15/196). 

    In brief, they were baatinis who changed the religion of 
    Islam; they were outwardly Raafidis but inwardly they were heretics. 

    Al-Dhahabi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: 

    They changed the religion of Islam. They were outwardly 
    Raafidis, but inwardly they were Ismailis. 

    Al-Siyar (15/141). 

    Al-Dhahabi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: 

    As for the baatini ‘Ubaydis, they are enemies of Allaah and 
    His Messenger. 

    Al-Siyar (15/373). 

    He also (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

     How these ‘Ubaydis tampered with and changed the religion of 
    Islam is indescribable. 

    Al-Siyar (16/149). 

    Al-Qaadi ‘Iyaad (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: 

    Abu Yoosuf al-Ra’eeni said: The scholars in Qayrawaan are 
    unanimously agreed that Banu ‘Ubayd are apostates and heretics. 

    Tarteeb al-Madaarik (4/720); see 
    also al-Siyar (15/151). 

    Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) 
    said in al-Radd ‘ala al-Bakri: 

    The ‘Ubaydis, who are inwardly heretics, follow the beliefs 
    of the philosophers and Magians and have mixed them with Raafidi views. The 
    best they show of commitment to Islam is the Raafidi way, but inwardly they 
    are heretics, worse than the Jews and Christians. 

    Hence the scholars said concerning them that they are 
    outwardly Raafidis, but inwardly their belief is pure kufr. They are among 
    the people who venerate shrines the most, and believe in astrology, and 
    other religious practices of the mushrikeen. They are the least likely of 
    people to venerate the mosques which Allaah has ordered to be raised (to be 
    cleaned, and to be honoured), in them His Name is remembered (cf. al-Noor 
    24:36).Their legacy in Cairo proves that. End quote.  

    And he said (may Allaah have mercy on him) in al-Radd ‘ala 
    al-Mantiqiyyeen: 

    The ‘Ubaydis were outwardly Muslim and said that they were 
    Shi’ah, so they appeared to be Raafidis but inwardly they were heretics as 
    Abu Haamid al-Ghazaali said in al-Mustazhari: Outwardly they are 
    Raafidis but inwardly their belief is pure kufr. What Abu Haamid said about 
    them is that on which there is consensus among Muslim scholars. End quote. 

    He said (may Allaah have mercy on him) in Minhaaj 
    al-Sunnah: 

    They (the rulers of the ‘Ubaydi state) are well known for 
    their heresy, opposition to Allaah and His Messenger, apostasy and 
    hypocrisy. End quote. 

    Ibn Katheer said in al-Bidaayah wa’l-Nihaayah 
    (11/386): 

    When the khateeb mentioned al-Haakim the people would all 
    stand up out of respect. They also did that in Egypt, and in addition to 
    that they would prostrate for him. They would prostrate when he was 
    mentioned. So those who were praying would prostrate and those who were in 
    the marketplace would prostrate when they prostrated. May Allaah curse him. 
    End quote. 

    Such was the ‘Ubaydi state, and these are some of their evil 
    deeds. Thus it is clear that the one who says that the ‘Ubaydi state was an 
    Islamic state and ignores the blessed states and times in which Islam ruled, 
    and focuses instead on the ‘Ubaydi state as the solution for our own times, 
    is wrong. This is a bad and abhorrent statement. 

    The one who says that wants to repeat the spread of heresy 
    and kufr, the reviling of the Sahaabah and the killing of the scholars! 

    There is no solution for the Muslims except to return to the 
    teachings of the Prophet  (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) 
    and his noble Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them). 

    We ask Allaah to bring the Muslims back soundly to their 
    religion. 

    See the study entitled Mawqif al-Imam al-Dhahabi min 
    al-Dawlah al-‘Ubaydiyyah nasaban wa mu’taqadan by Dr. Sa’d ibn Moosa 
    al-Moosa, assistant professor at the Faculty of Sharee’ah in Umm al-Qura 
    University, which was published in Majallat Jaami’at Umm al-Qura, 
    issue no. 24, Rabee’ al-Awwal 1423 AH/May 2002 CE. 

    And Allaah is the Source of strength.