The spelling of the word "Fatimide" is derived from the Arabic word al-fatimiyyūn, which refers to a dynasty that ruled Egypt and parts of North Africa from the 10th to the 12th century. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is pronounced as /ˈfætɪˌmaɪd/. The stress is on the second syllable (/maɪd/), while the first syllable (/fætɪ/) is pronounced with a short "a" sound followed by a "t" sound. The final syllable (/d/) is pronounced with a voiced "d" sound.
Fatimide refers to the Fatimid dynasty, an Islamic caliphate that originated in the 10th century and lasted until the 12th century. This dynasty was founded by Imam-Caliph Ubayd Allah al-Mahdi Billah, who claimed descent from the Prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatimah. The name "Fatimide" is derived from this connection.
The Fatimide dynasty held significant political and religious power, ruling over extensive territories that included modern-day Egypt, North Africa, and parts of the Levant. The dynasty played a crucial role in shaping the development of Islamic civilization during the medieval period. They were known for their Shi'a Ismaili beliefs and established the Fatimid Caliphate as the center of the Ismaili branch of Islam.
The Fatimide rulers were renowned for their patronage of art, literature, and architecture, contributing to the rich cultural legacy of the regions they governed. Notably, they founded the city of Cairo, which served as their capital and became a thriving intellectual and cultural center.
Despite their initial success, the Fatimide dynasty faced several challenges, including conflicts with rival political entities such as the Abbasid Caliphate. Over time, internal power struggles weakened their rule, leading to the eventual decline and overthrow of the Fatimid dynasty by the Ayyubids in the 12th century.
Today, the term "Fatimide" is primarily used to refer to this specific historical dynasty and its far-reaching impact on the Islamic world.
The word "Fatimide" is derived from the Arabic name "Fatima" combined with the suffix "-ide". Fatima was the name of the daughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and her descendants established the Fatimid Caliphate, which ruled over a significant area including parts of North Africa and the Middle East from 909 to 1171. The term "Fatimide" is used to refer to this dynasty, its people, and various aspects related to it.