Fatima.Mernessi_The-Forgotten-Queens-of-Islam-EN

134 The Arab Queens
So 'Ali al-Sulayhi was in no way an innovator. If the Yemeni da'i
spent 15 years doing discreet propaganda work, hidden behind his
job as a guide for pilgrims, it was because he was preparing a
masterly coup. This was to follow up the conquest of Yemen for
the Isma'ili Shi'ite cause, which was incarnated in the Fatimid
sovereign of Egypt, with the conquest of Mecca. It is obvious that
his personality made a big impression through 'his determination,
his intelligence, his courage, and his eloquence'. 'Ali, the man who
would dazzle Queen Asma, already shone as a spiritual leader. 'It
was said that this man was going to conquer Yemen, but he "hated
those rumours".' 59
It was not until the year 429 that he thought the moment had
come when he 'should unveil his mission, after having asked authorization
from Caliph al-Mustansir, which was granted.' 60 We have
seen that the hierarchy of Isma'ili Shi'ism is extremely precise, with
each grade having to refer matters to its superior. As da'i, 'Ali al-
Sulayhi took his orders from the supreme authority, who was the
imam in person, and according to the Shi'ite hierarchy that was
none other than the Fatimid sovereign of Egypt. Moreover, under
the Sulayhis the khutba in the mosques of Yemen was proclaimed
first in the name of the Egyptian caliph, al-Mustansir
(428/1036-^87/1087), and then in the name of the Yemeni sovereigns
and their spouses. Once authorized to reveal his mission and its
military objectives, 'Ali 'embarked on the conquest of the country
and toppled the fortresses one after the other with incredible
speed'. 61 He made San'a his capital, but it was his occupation of
Mecca in 455/1064 that gained him international fame. 62 Among the
outstanding events of year 455/1064, Ibn al-Athir mentions the
conquest of Mecca by 'Ali al-Sulayhi, the sovereign of Yemen, who
had conquered it, re-established order, and governed it well: 'He
put an end to injustice, reorganized the supply system, and increased
the acts of beneficence.' 63 In the space of a few months he demonstrated
his qualities as a statesman and soldier, to the great delight
of his compatriots.
Torn by dissension and clan rivalries, Yemen had need of a
national hero with whom it could identify and in whom it could
recognize itself with pride. 'Ali al-Sulayhi was the perfect Arab hero
- with physical vigour and endurance, confidence in himself, and
fearlessness, allied to that intellectual agility so characteristic of
learned people who are loved and as a result feel no need to be
conspicuous and try to outshine others. Raised by his Shi'ite masters
with the idea that the people's happiness depended on the success