Economic and Security Dimensions of The Egyptianization of Kufa
Corresponding Author(s) : Muhammad Abdel Nafie Al-Ghalami
American Journal of Economics and Business Management,
Vol. 8 No. 5 (2025): May
Abstract
The rise of Islamic civilization significantly influenced the foundation of new urban centers beyond the Arabian Peninsula, with Al-Kufa emerging as a vital administrative and military hub. Strategically located near the Euphrates River, Kufa’s development was shaped by its geographical advantages and socio-political circumstances, evolving into a center of economic and political importance during the Rashidun and subsequent Islamic caliphates. Despite the recognized significance of Kufa, there remains limited integrated analysis of its simultaneous economic and security roles and how these influenced its selection as a capital. This study aims to explore the economic activities, security considerations, and administrative motivations behind the Egyptianization and capital relocation to Al-Kufa. The research reveals that Kufa’s agricultural prosperity, industrial diversity, and trade networks facilitated rapid urban growth. Furthermore, its secure location and military suitability led Caliph Ali to designate it as the Islamic State’s capital during political unrest. By employing historical-descriptive and analytical methods, this study uniquely connects Kufa’s infrastructural evolution with broader Islamic administrative strategies, demonstrating how urban planning and economic policy were interwoven with military logistics and political control. The findings underscore the importance of strategic urban planning in early Islamic governance and provide a framework for understanding the integration of economic vitality and geopolitical positioning in city development models of pre-modern Islamic societies.
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- Ibn Atham al-Kufi, Al-Futuh, Dar al-‘Ilm li-l-Malayin, Beirut, 1976.
- Safi al-Din al-Baghdadi, Marasid al-Ittila‘ ‘ala Asma’ al-Amkina wa al-Biqa‘, ed. Ali Muhammad al-Bajawi, Dar al-Jil, Beirut, 1992.
- Ahmad ibn Yahya al-Baladhuri, Futuh al-Buldan, ed. Abd al-Anis al-Taba‘, Mu’assasat al-Ma‘arif, Beirut, 1987.
- Yaqut al-Hamawi, Mu‘jam al-Buldan, Dar Sader, Beirut, 1977.
- Muhammad ibn Abd al-Mun‘im al-Himyari, Al-Rawd al-Mi‘tar fi Khabar al-Aqtar, Maktabat Lubnan, Beirut, 1975.
- Ibn Hawqal, Surat al-Ard, Maktabat al-Hayat, Beirut, 1992.
- Abu Hanifa Ahmad ibn Dawud al-Dinawari, Al-Akhbar al-Tiwal, Matba‘at al-Braille, Leiden, n.d.
- Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali, Dhail Tabaqat al-Hanabila, Wizarat al-Thaqafa wa al-Irshad al-Qawmi, n.d.
- Abu Yusuf Ya‘qub ibn Ibrahim, Kitab al-Kharaj, Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyya, Beirut, 1985.
- Abu Ubayd al-Qasim ibn Sallam, Al-Amwal, Matba‘at Muhammad ibn Abd al-Latif al-Hijazi, Cairo, 1353 H.
- Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Suli, Kitab al-Aghani, Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyya, Beirut, 1994.
- Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk, Dar al-Turath, Beirut, 1976.
- Abu Umar Yusuf ibn Abd Allah ibn Abd al-Barr, Al-Isti‘ab fi Ma‘rifat al-Ashab, ed. Adil al-Murshid, Dar al-‘Alam, Amman, 2002.
- Al-Muqaddasi, Ahsan al-Taqasim fi Ma‘rifat al-Aqalim, Maktabat Madbuli, Cairo, n.d.
- eprints.soas.ac.uk
- Ibn Manzur, Lisan al-‘Arab, Dar Sader, Beirut, 1956.
References
Ibn Atham al-Kufi, Al-Futuh, Dar al-‘Ilm li-l-Malayin, Beirut, 1976.
Safi al-Din al-Baghdadi, Marasid al-Ittila‘ ‘ala Asma’ al-Amkina wa al-Biqa‘, ed. Ali Muhammad al-Bajawi, Dar al-Jil, Beirut, 1992.
Ahmad ibn Yahya al-Baladhuri, Futuh al-Buldan, ed. Abd al-Anis al-Taba‘, Mu’assasat al-Ma‘arif, Beirut, 1987.
Yaqut al-Hamawi, Mu‘jam al-Buldan, Dar Sader, Beirut, 1977.
Muhammad ibn Abd al-Mun‘im al-Himyari, Al-Rawd al-Mi‘tar fi Khabar al-Aqtar, Maktabat Lubnan, Beirut, 1975.
Ibn Hawqal, Surat al-Ard, Maktabat al-Hayat, Beirut, 1992.
Abu Hanifa Ahmad ibn Dawud al-Dinawari, Al-Akhbar al-Tiwal, Matba‘at al-Braille, Leiden, n.d.
Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali, Dhail Tabaqat al-Hanabila, Wizarat al-Thaqafa wa al-Irshad al-Qawmi, n.d.
Abu Yusuf Ya‘qub ibn Ibrahim, Kitab al-Kharaj, Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyya, Beirut, 1985.
Abu Ubayd al-Qasim ibn Sallam, Al-Amwal, Matba‘at Muhammad ibn Abd al-Latif al-Hijazi, Cairo, 1353 H.
Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Suli, Kitab al-Aghani, Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyya, Beirut, 1994.
Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk, Dar al-Turath, Beirut, 1976.
Abu Umar Yusuf ibn Abd Allah ibn Abd al-Barr, Al-Isti‘ab fi Ma‘rifat al-Ashab, ed. Adil al-Murshid, Dar al-‘Alam, Amman, 2002.
Al-Muqaddasi, Ahsan al-Taqasim fi Ma‘rifat al-Aqalim, Maktabat Madbuli, Cairo, n.d.
eprints.soas.ac.uk
Ibn Manzur, Lisan al-‘Arab, Dar Sader, Beirut, 1956.