The Trials and Tribulations of the Rasulid Sultan al-Malik al-Mujāhid ʿAlī (d. 764/1363)

This article tells the story of al-Mujāhid's turbulent reign, which occurred during the decline of Rasulid power. Emphasis is placed on the kidnapping episode, which marked a turning point in Rasulid/Mamluk relations after a century-long conflict over influence in Mecca. In 751/1351 the Rasulid sultan al-Malik al-Mujāhid ʿAlī of Yemen made his second pilgrimage to Mecca. His intent was to replace the ruling Meccan sharif, ʿAjlān, with Thaqabah; both were sons of the recently deceased al-Rumaythah. ʿAjlān convinced the Mamluk forces accompanying the pilgrims from Egypt to kidnap al-Mujāhid and take him to Cairo. The Rasulid sultan was eventually imprisoned in al-Karak and only returned to Yemen after fourteen months outside his realm. Three differing sets of sources (Rasulid, Mamluk, and Meccan) are compared to piece together the kidnapping and its aftermath. This extraordinary diplomatic event happened to a sultan who came to power at age 15 and faced rebellion from the start, even though his rule extended over a period of 42 years.