Investigating Basasiri's Role Over Fatimid Caliphate and the Shi as of Iraq

The conquest of Rey by Saljūqs led to the loss of power balance between Basāsiri and Ibn Moslem, the Abbasid Vizier, in Baqdad. Meanwhile, the disagreement between Basāsiri and King Rahim led to the weakening of Āl Būya. After the domination of Saljūqs over Iran, this prepared the ground for realization of their policy of diffusing domination and their entering into Iraq as well as saying yes to invitation on the part of Abbasid caliph. To preserve his political-military situation, Basāsiri grants the request by Mu’ayyid al-Din Shirāzi; however, the followings result in cutting assistance to Basāsiri: Fatimids’ economic problems, no trust in Basāsiri, Ibn Maqrebi’s disagreement with Basāsiri’s movement, and the type of view in changing the force facing Saljūqs. The head of the Shiite missioners, Mu’ayyid al-Din Shirāzi, went to Cairo in secret, but the followings led to a cut between Basāsiri and the head of the missioners: Basāsiri’s impermanent companions, their change in position between Basāsiri and Saljūqs, no loyalty towards Isma’ilite Shi’as, as well as the problems raied for Yazūri, the Fatimid vizier Mustanser. Basāsiri sends gifts to caliph in Egypt and reads sermon in the name of Mustanser; however, he keeps the Abbasid caliph as his winning card in Hadithat al-Furāt with his real companion in conquest of Baqdad, Quraysh bin Badrān. Basāsiri’s movement and proclaiming the caliphate of Fatimids was a division of political power and interests rather than a result of loyalty to Isma’ilite Shi’as.In a treaty written for Basāsiri as the head of the troops, there is no mention of commitment of Isma’ilite Shi’as. Besides, identification of Imam Mahdi with Fatimid Mustanser to proclaim the association of some Imamiyya Shi’as with Basāsiri reverses Ibn Athir’s report and results from the relationship between Mazid bin Sadaqa and Basāsiri, rather than conformity of proclaiming a live Imam in a certain time. Thus, the views of some orientalists such as Gerhard Hoffman, T. Canard and Nuggle can be corrected and completed.