This biography, written by Gabby Storey, is shared with permission from Team Queens, an educational history blog run by a collective of historical scholars. All rights reserved; this material may not be republished without the author’s consent.
Born: 970, Tunisia
Died: 5 February 1023
Country most active: Egypt
Also known as: ست الملك, ’Lady of the Kingdom’
Born to al-Aziz Billah, the fifth caliph of the Fatimid dynasty, and his concubine al-Sayyida al-Aziziyya in September/October 970, Sitt spent much of her childhood in Cairo after the successful conquest of Egypt by the Fatimids in 972-973.
Upon the death of her father, Sitt’s half-brother al-Mansur, later known by the regnal name al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, became caliph. Although relations between the pair were initially amicable, al-Hakim’s erratic governance caused the two to drift apart.
The final rupture came in 1013 when al-Hakim chose a cousin as his designated heir, overturning the direct line of succession and the precedent of excluding males from the wider family in state affairs.
Sitt was committed to the succession of her nephew, and took him and his mother under her protection. On 13 February 1021, al-Hakim disappeared and was declared dead after evidence of his murder was found.
There is debate as to the extent of Sitt’s involvement in her brother’s murder. She moved quickly upon his death to secure her power. Al-Hakim’s son, Ali, was crowned on 27 March, with Sitt acting as de facto ruler in the interim.
Sitt acted as a regent for several years: the extent and duration of her influence is contested, though it is apparent that she relaxed prohibitions and was an effective ruler of the empire, though her tolerance did not extend to followers of the Druze religion.
Sitt’s position as regent was unusual, and she would have faced opposition for further formalised power. She died of dysentery on 5 February 1023.
Although she was never crowned or held a formal title bar princess, Sitt’s rule over the empire makes her worthy of inclusion.
Recommended Reading
Delia Cortese and Simonetta Calderini, Women and the Fatimids in the World of Islam (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2006)
Fatima Mernissi, The Forgotten Queens of Islam (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1993)
Paul E. Walker, “The Fatimid Caliph al-Aziz and His Daughter Sitt al-Mulk: A Case of Delayed but Eventual Succession to Rule by a Woman,” Journal of Persinate Studies 4 (2011): 30-44
Wissam Halabi Halawi, “Les druzes dans les chroniques arabes médievales: Une narration éclatée,” Studia Islamica 104-105 (2007) : 103-132.
The following is excerpted from “400 Outstanding Women of the World and the Costumology of Their Time” by Minna Moscherosch Schmidt, published in 1933.
Ruled Egypt as regent 1021-1025. Sitt al-Mulk was the capable and well-balanced sister of a highly emotional and idealistic brother, the sixth Fatimid Caliph al-Hakim. Al-Hakim displayed, all at the same time, fanatical religious enthusiasm, oriental despotic ideas, sporadic notions of social justice, and the tastes of an anchorite. He was of course feared and hated by many. On the night of February 13, 1021, he disappeared and was never seen again. Besides leaving one of the great unsolved mysteries of history, he left his sister under a cloud of suspicion. Popular opinion would have it that Sitt al-Mulk was a fratricide. Upon the Caliph’s disappearance, the princess became regent for al-Hakim’s sixteen-year old son, al-Zahir. Her severe but salutary government filled her subjects with respect. The malcontents, however, found this all the more reason why they should spread slanderous stories about her. While swift punishment was meted out to dishonest officials and rebellion was speedily put down, Sitt al-Mulk endeavored not to be unnecessarily cruel. She was determined, nevertheless, to be faithful to that which she considered a trust. She must strengthen the position of the young nephew and leave him securely established as Caliph. Hence it was that while she long kept a rival and rebellious claimant to the throne as prisoner in Cairo, she did not order his execution until her physicians had told her that she herself was in the grip of a fatal illness. Sitt al-Mulk means “Lady of the Empire.” She was said to be very lovely as well as clever. Indeed literature has described her as the “most beautiful princess in the world.” Her majestic figure, her brilliant eyes, and slightly aquiline nose are made known to us from stories told of her.
Because of her strong character and remarkable abilities, she is one of the most noteworthy women of her age, whether Muslim or Christian.