man of al-Aghlab, who failed to reduce it. It was later invaded by Khalfûn al-Barbari (supposed to have been a freedman of the Rabîʿah) who reduced it in the early part of al-Mutawakkil's caliphate.
Al-Mufarraj ibn-Sallâm. After Khalfûn there arose one called al-Mufarraj ibn-Sallâm who conquered and brought under his control 24 forts. He then forwarded the news of the situation to the Master of the post[1] in Egypt, and told him that he and his followers could conduct no [public] prayer unless the imâm confirms him over his district and makes him its ruler, so that he may not be included in the category of usurpers. Al-Mufarraj erected a cathedral mosque. Finally his men rose up against him and killed him.
Sûrân. He was followed by Sûrân who sent his messenger to al-Mutawakkil, the "Commander of the Believers," asking for a confirmation and a letter of appointment to a governorship. Al-Mutawakkil, however, died before his messenger departed with the message to Sûrân.
Al-Muntaṣir-Billâh died after holding the caliphate for six months. Then came al-Mustaʿîn-Billâh Aḥmad ibn-Muḥammad ibn-al-Muʿtaṣim who ordered his ʿâmil over al-Maghrib, Ûtâmish, a freedman of the "Commander of the Believers", to confirm Sûrân; but no sooner had the messenger started from Surra-man-ra'a, than Ûtâmish was slain.[2] That region was after that governed by Waṣîf, a freedman of the caliph, who confirmed Sûrân in his position.
