Ali Az-Zahir, the seventh caliph to rule the Fatimid dynasty, was born today on 20th June in 1005. He assumed the Caliphate after the disappearance of his father Al-Hakim.

Imam az-Zahir began his career under the tutelage of his aunt, Sit al-Mulk. During the first four years of Imam az-Zahir's rule, the whole power was in the hands of his aunt. But after her death in 1023, a group of her favorites took power. The period of his Imamate was sixteen years. After ?Al? died of the plague 13 June 1036, his son became the eighth caliph under the throne name of al-Mustansir.

The above shown gold Dinar was issued during his reign from Misr mint. The obverse of a coin depicted the Arabic legend ‘Muhammad Rasul Allah ‘Ali Wali Allah’ within field, ‘La ilah illa Allah wahdahu la sharik lahu’ within inner margin and ‘Muhammad rasul allah arsalahu bi’l-huda wa din al-haqq li-yuzhirahu ‘ala al-din kullihi wa law kariha al-mushrikun’ depicted in outer margin.

On the other hand, the reverse of a coin bore the legend ‘al-zahir li-i‘zaz din / allah amir al-mu’minin’ in filed area. While ‘abd allah wa waliyuhu ‘ali abu’l-hasan al-imam’ within the inner margin and ‘bism allah duriba hadha’l-dinar bi-misr sana’ depicted in outer margin.

Image Source: Heritage Auctions