Al-Mansur Billah

al-Mansur Billah المنصور بالله
Caliph of the Fatimid Caliphate
Reign	946 – 953
Predecessor	al-Qa'im Bi-Amrillah
Successor	al-Mu'izz Li-Dinillah
Born	913
Died	19 March 953
Issue	al-Mu'izz Li-Dinillah
Full name Kunya: Abu Tahir Given name: Ismail Laqab: al-Mansur Billah
Father	al-Qa'im Bi-Amrillah
Mother	?
Religion	Shia Islam

Abu Tahir Ismail al-Mansur Billah (913 – 19 March 953) (Arabic: المنصور بالله الفاطمي‎‎) was the third Caliph of the Fatimid Caliphate in Ifriqiya (r. 946-953).

History

Ismāʿīl was born in 913 in Raqqada near Kairouan and succeeded his father Abū l-Qāṣim al-Qā'im (934-946) in 946. His upbringing took place in North Africa, in an environment of revolts and battles

The Fatimid realm found itself deep in crisis due to the revolt of Abū Yazīd (943-947). However, after the unity of the rebels began to crack, Ismāʿīl managed to put down the revolt with the help of the Berber Zirids. Following this victory he took the epithet al-Mansur, and built a new residence at al-Manṣūriyyah near Kairouan.

Al-Manṣūr concerned himself with the reorganisation of the Fatimid state until the end of his reign. He resumed the struggle with the Umayyads of Córdoba in Morocco, and reoccupied Sicily, from where raids into Italy were recommenced. Rule in Sicily was reinforced through the installation of the Kalbids as Emirs.

Al-Manṣūr died after a severe illness on 19 March 953 and left his realm to his son al-Mu‘izz (r. 953-975).

Al-Mansur Billah Born: 913 Died: 19 March 953
Regnal titles
Preceded by Al-Qa'im Bi-Amrillah	Caliph of the Fatimid Caliphate 946-953	Succeeded by Al-Mu'izz Li-Dinillah