Overthrowing of the Qarmatians
# Overthrowing of the Qarmatians

The Overthrow of the Qarmatians was an armed uprising by the Seljuk and Abbasid supported Uyunids against the ruling Qarmatian state. A local chief known as Abdullah bin Ali Al Uyuni aligned himself with the Abbasids and The Seljuk Empire, and started an uprising with their support. Due to support from more powerful foreign powers, the Uyunids successfully revolted and liberated Eastern Arabia, which significantly shifted the power dynamic of Eastern Arabia.

## Background

The Qarmatians were a radical Isma'ili Shia Muslim group, that had established its power in the eastern Arabian Peninsula. The Qarmatians became known for their raiding of caravans going to pilgrimage to Mecca. The Uyunids were a local Arab dynasty coming from the tribe of Bani Abd al-Qays. The chief of the dynasty Abdullah bin Ali sought help from Seljuks and Abbasids to combat Qarmatian rule in Eastern Arabia.

## Abu al-Bahlul al-Awwam's revolt

Abu al-Bahlul al-Awwam was a guarantor of the Qarmatian state. Abu al-Bahlul later revolted in Bahrain, then crowned himself Emir of the island. Despite that he was unable to beat the new leader of Qatif, Yahya bin Abbas, and it soon came under their control, killing Abu al-Bahlul in the process.

## Uyunid Revolt

The Uyunids under Abdullah bin Ali revolted against Qarmatian rule with Seljuk support. He quickly conquered Awal and Qatif, and all that was left for him was the Qarmatian stronghold of Hofuf. Seljuk and Uyunid forces marches down to Hofuf to take over the last part of land that was controlled by the Qarmatian state. They besieged the city for seven whole years, until it fell, the Qarmatian state fell with it, and the Uyunid Emirate was established, under the rule of Abdullah bin Ali.

## Aftermath

The Uyunids stabilized and rebuilt their state and expanded it. It is theorized that the populations of Qatif, and Al-Hasa accepted Twelver Shi'ism during their reign. The Uyunids reached their golden age under the rule of Abdullah bin Ali's son, Al-Fadl bin Abdullah. The Uyunids fell a while later to the Usfurids due to the poor rule of Mohammed bin Mas'ud. The Usfurids later fell to the Jarwanids of Qatif who later fell to the Jabrids.

