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

The jawari or Revolution in the Harem 49
mother Subh became regent. She was a Christian from Navarre, who
had a very strong personality. She succeeded in extending her power
over her husband, al-Hakam, and in interfering in the affairs of the
Muslim state despite its greatness and power. But while her son was
still a child, her power became enormous .... Subh first took Ibn
'Amir as her secretary even before the death of her husband ....
She became very fond of him and he of her. She named him hajib
[chief of viziers] and gave him free access to power. And in this way
he took over all the functions of the caliph. 35
In the words of Ahmad Amin, Subh is neither malika (queen) nor
sayyida (Madame); she has no title. She is Subh, the Christian.
Al-Murakushi, a thirteenth-century historian, gives a less simplistic
explanation of the relationship between Subh and Ibn 'Amir; he
portrays them as partners in the political game, one complementing
the other and each benefiting from the collaboration:
The stature of Ibn 'Amir continued to grow until he made the
acquaintance of Sayyida Subh, the mother of Hisham, the son of al-
Hakam. He took charge of her business affairs and managed her
lands. In this way he earned her appreciation. Things continued like
this until the death of al-Hakam. Hisham was still young, and there
was fear of trouble. Ibn 'Amir provided Subh with the security and
calm necessary for her son to be able to reign. Ibn 'Amir was
very competent and circumstances worked in his favour. Subh made
available the necessary funds, and he was able to win over the army.
There then followed a train of circumstances that allowed him to rise
even higher, until he became practically the sole manager of the
affairs of state. 36
The relationship between Subh and Ibn 'Amir lasted for more
than 30 years. They became acquainted ten years before the death
of al-Hakam (Ibn 'Amir was named secretary in 356/966, and al-
Hakam died in 366/976). Their collaboration continued for 20 years
afterwards, until the first notorious quarrel between them, when
the queen tried to escape from his domination by seeking support
from other men in her entourage. This attempt failed lamentably
because there was no one as brilliant and astute as Ibn 'Amir, who
managed to reduce to powerlessness all the men she tried to set as
rivals. In 388/997 the conflict between Subh and Ibn 'Amir took a
turn in his favour. His star continued to shine, but for Subh it was
the beginning of the end. It was not because Subh was stupid or a
bad politician that Ibn 'Amir seized power, but simply because she
played the game of politics and lost, just as in any political joust.