ՙAbd Allāh ibn Saՙd ibn Abī Sarḥ
ՙAbd Allāh ibn Saՙd ibn Abī Sarḥ was a prominent figure in early Islamic history, serving as the governor of Upper Egypt and later of the entire region under Caliph ՙUthmān ibn ՙAffān. Appointed shortly after the Arab conquest of Egypt, he played a crucial role in expanding the province's territory and revenue. Notably, he oversaw military campaigns, including a significant treaty with the Christian kingdom of Nubia in the early 650s. A key aspect of his legacy is his contribution to naval operations; he collaborated with Muՙāwiyah I to establish the first Islamic navy, which achieved notable victories against the Byzantine fleet. This naval expansion not only extended Islamic influence across the Mediterranean but also secured strategic victories, enhancing the power of the Islamic state during that era. Overall, his leadership during a transformative period laid important foundations for subsequent Islamic maritime endeavors.
ՙAbd Allāh ibn Saՙd ibn Abī Sarḥ
Related civilizations: Arabia, Egypt
Major role/position: Military conqueror
Life
Two years after the Arab conquest of Egypt by ՙAmr ibn al-ՙĀṣ in 642 c.e., ՙUmar ibn al-Khaṭtāb, the second caliph of Islam, made the financier ՙAbd Allāh ibn Saՙd ibn Abī Sarḥ (ahb-dool-AH-ihb-uhn-SAH-ihb-uhn-ahb-EE-SAHRK) governor of Upper Egypt in order to increase revenue from the province. In the following year, ՙUthmān ibn ՙAffān, ՙAbd Allāh’s foster brother, became caliph, recalled ՙAmr, and appointed ՙAbd Allāh governor over the entire country. The Byzantine recapture of Alexandria late in 645 c.e. persuaded ՙUthmān to send ՙAmr back to Egypt to retake the city. ՙAmr refused a power-sharing arrangement in Egypt following this successful campaign, and left ՙAbd Allāh in full control of the province.
ՙAbd Allāh oversaw the expansion of the province to the west as far as Carthage. In 651-652 c.e., he led a southern military campaign that resulted in a treaty with the Christian kingdom in Nubia. His most successful operations, however, were naval in nature. Together with Muՙāwiyah I, the governor of Syria, ՙAbd Allāh built the first Islamic navy, with which Cyprus and other Mediterranean islands were conquered. The Byzantine fleet was defeated twice by this navy, first near Alexandria in 652 c.e. and then at Dhāt al-Ṣawārī, off the Turkish coast, in 655 c.e. In the latter battle, ՙAbd Allāh was a co-commander.
Influence
ՙAbd Allāh’s naval operations helped ensure the growth of Islamic power in the Mediterranean.
Bibliography
Butler, A. Arab Invasion of Egypt. Brooklyn, N.Y.: A & B Publishing, 1992.
Fahmy, Aly Mohamed. Muslim Sea-Power in the Eastern Mediterranean. London: Dan Bosco, 1950.