Shajar al-Durr
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| AI visualization of Shajar al-Durr |
Shajar al-Durr or Shajarat al-Durr organized the state’s affairs, directed the army on the battlefield, and appointed Prince Saif al-Din Aktay al-Jamdar as commander of the military.
Simultaneously, she urged Turan Shah, son of Sultan al-Salih Ayyub, to come to Egypt from the fortress of Kiva to assume the sultanate after his father's death.
During the interval between Sultan al-Salih Ayyub's death and Turan Shah's arrival on 23 Dhu al-Qa'dah 648 AH (27 February 1250 AD), which spanned over three months, Shajarat al-Durr skillfully held the reins of leadership, guiding the nation through turbulent times that nearly overpowered it, Her reign ultimately lasted for four years (634-638 AH / 1236-1240 AD).
Shajarat al-Durr, originally of Turkish or possibly Armenian origin, was a slave girl purchased by Sultan al-Salih Ayyub.
She held a position of high regard with the Sultan, who eventually freed and married her, Together, they had a son named Khalil, who sadly passed away on 2 Safar 648 AH (May 1250 AD).
The oath of allegiance was sworn to the new sultan, and her name was inscribed on currency with the title: 'Al-Musta'idiyya Al-Salihiya, Queen of the Muslims, Mother of Khalil, Commander of the Faithful.
Upon ascending the throne, Shajarat al-Durr swiftly took control, consolidating power and focusing on managing state affairs.
Her first priority was the removal of Crusader forces from the country.
She led negotiations with King Louis IX, who was then a captive in Mansoura, reaching an agreement for the handover of Damietta.
The terms included his release, along with that of his high-ranking prisoners, in exchange for a substantial ransom of 800,000 dinars - half to be paid prior to his departure and the remainder upon his arrival in Acre - with his promise not to return to Muslim lands.
Al-Izz bin Abd al-Salam
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| AI visualization of Al-Izz bin Abd al-Salam |
However, circumstances soon became unfavorable for Shajarat al-Durr to continue her rule for long.
Despite her skill, firmness in governance, public engagement, and generous distribution of wealth and fiefdoms to prominent princes, her leadership faced intense opposition both domestically and abroad.
Egyptians took to the streets in protest, opposing a woman’s ascension to the throne.
Religious scholars also rejected her rule, with the opposition led by Al-Izz ibn Abd al-Salam, who argued that her leadership violated Islamic law, which governed the state at the time.
Meanwhile, the Ayyubids in the Levant revolted in response to Turan Shah’s death and the Mamluks' assumption of power through Shajarat al-Durr's rule.
The Abbasid Caliph in Baghdad also condemned the Mamluk actions, writing to them, 'If you have no men left, inform us so that we may send one to you.
Aktay and Aybak
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| AI visualization of Aktay and Aybak |
During this period, a rivalry arose between Izz al-Din Aybak and Saif al-Din Aktay al-Jamdar for the hand of Shajarat al-Durr and, with it, the control of the throne.
Saif al-Din Aktay, known for his strictness and strong personality, proved difficult for Shajarat al-Durr to manage, unlike Izz al-Din Aybak, who displayed a kinder, more compliant disposition.
Facing mounting opposition, Shajarat al-Durr saw no choice but to abdicate the throne in favor of Prince Izz al-Din Aybak, whom she then married.
He assumed the title of King al-Mu'izz, while his time on the throne had lasted only eighty days.
Before this transition, Izz al-Din Aybak, with the assistance of his ally Seif al-Din Qutuz, devised a plan to eliminate Saif al-Din Aktay, the army commander, thereby consolidating his own power and securing control over the country.
Although Shajarat al-Durr formally ceded the throne and the sultanate to Aybak, she shared in governance and maintained control over him.
She compelled him to abandon his first wife and son, Ali, and prohibited him from visiting them.
According to the renowned historian Ibn Taghri Bardi, Aybak was entirely under her influence; he had no say unless she ordered, and he executed.
However, Aybak eventually turned against her after solidifying his power domestically and abroad.
As he grew more experienced in governing, Aybak faced significant threats from the Ayyubids and the exiled Bahri Mamluks, led by Baibars al-Bunduqdari, following the assassination of Saif al-Din Aktay al-Jamdar.
Seeking alliances to strengthen his rule, Aybak began exploring a marriage alliance with the daughter of Badr al-Din Lu'lu', ruler of Mosul.
Badr al-Din Lu'lu' warned Aybak that Shajarat al-Durr intended to betray him in favor of his rival, King al-Nasir Yusuf.
When Shajarat al-Durr learned of Aybak’s intention to marry another woman, she felt deeply betrayed, both as his wife and as the one who had helped elevate him to sultan.
Her sense of betrayal heightened her concerns for her own safety, driving her to plot against him, She hastily devised a plan to eliminate Aybak, pretending to seek reconciliation.
She sent him messages expressing kindness, asking for his forgiveness, which ultimately deceived Aybak into trusting her once more.
He responded to her invitation and went to the castle, only to find Shajarat al-Durr's soldiers awaiting him, They carried out her orders and killed him on 23 Rabi' al-Awwal 655 AH (1257 AD), ending his life within the palace walls.
The Assassination of Shagaret Al-Durr
Shajarat al-Durr spread a rumor that Aybak had died suddenly during the night, but Aybak’s loyal Mamluks were skeptical and did not believe her. They arrested her and brought her before Aybak’s first wife, who ordered her maidservants to execute Shajarat al-Durr by beating her with shoes. Afterward, they threw her body from the castle wall, and she was buried several days later.
Thus, her life ended tragically, after years of being at the center of power and influence.
Despite her downfall, contemporary Mamluk historians praised her abilities and contributions.