The Economic Crises and Famine in Egypt as Chronicled by Al-Maqrizi in Hhis Book “Eghathat Al Umma Fi Kashf Al Ghumma” (The Rescue of the Nation Through Plight Eradication) Al- Mustansiriyah Plight as an Example

Abstract

This study addresses the economic crises and famine that Egypt went through throughout the Islamic history, with special focus on the great famine that afflicted Egypt during the reign of Caliph al-Mustansir Billah - the fifth Caliph of the Fatimid State in Egypt. Historians named this famine as "al-Shidah al-Mustansiriyah" (al-Mustansiriyah plight) as it was one of the most severe famine that impacted Egypt. The study started by reviewing the economic crises and famines that afflicted Egypt since the advent of Islamic rule in 21 AH/642 AD till the end of the Fatimid caliph reign, al-Mustansir Billah, in 487 AH/1094 AD. The study discussed two research topics. The first topic was divided into two sections. The first section tackled the crises that occurred in Egypt over the period of time that extended from the beginning of Islamic Ruling in Egypt till the end of Ikhshidid dynasty in 358 AH/969 AD. Whereas the second section addressed the famines and crises that happened during the period that extended from the Fatimid ruling in Egypt till 427 AH/1036 AD. The study focused on the economic crises’ causes and economic, social and political impacts. The second topic of the study addressed the economic crises during the ruling of Caliph al-Mustansir Billah (427-478 AH/1036-1094 AD). Special focus was devoted on al- Mustansiriyah  plight and its reasons of occurrence, intensity, the extent of its impact on the state and the Egyptian society at that time, in addition to the measures that were taken by the state to escape this crisis. The study concluded with general recommendations educed from exploring the famines’ causes, impacts and the measures taken by the state to limit them.