Muhanna bin Sultan () (died 1720) was one of the rival

Imam Imam (; ar, إمام '; plural: ') is an Islamic leadership position. For Sunni Muslims, Imam is most commonly used as the title of a worship leader of a mosque. In this context, imams may lead Islamic worship services, lead prayers, ser ...

s at the start of the

civil war A civil war or intrastate war is a war between organized groups within the same state (or country). The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government policies ...

s in

Oman Oman ( ; ar, عُمَان ' ), officially the Sultanate of Oman ( ar, سلْطنةُ عُمان ), is an Arabian country located in southwestern Asia. It is situated on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, and spans the mouth of t ...

in the final years of the

Yaruba dynasty The Yarubid dynasty () (also the Yaruba or Ya'arubi) were rulers of Oman between 1624 and 1742, holding the title of Imam. They expelled the Portuguese from coastal strongholds in Muscat and united the country. They improved agriculture, expanded ...

. He held power briefly in 1719–1720 before being deposed and murdered.

Background

Muhanna bin Sultan was a younger brother of the great Imam

Saif bin Sultan Saif bin Sultan () was the fourth of the Yaruba dynasty Imams of Oman, a member of the Ibadi sect. He ruled from 1692 to 1711. Where Omani presence became firmly established on the coast. Early years Saif bin Sultan was the son of the second Yar ...

(r. 1692–1711). He was the great-uncle of

Saif bin Sultan II Saif bin Sultan II () (c. 1706 – 1743) was the sixth of the Yaruba dynasty of Imams of Oman, a member of the Ibadi sect. He held the position of Imam four times during a chaotic period of civil war and invasion by Persian forces. Saif bin Sultan ...

, the eldest son of Sultan bin Saif II (r. 1611–1718). Saif bin Sultan II was aged twelve when his father died in 1718. In theory the office of Imam was elected, but in practice for many years it had been inherited by members of the Ya'Aruba family. Saif bin Sultan II was therefore seen as the natural successor to his father. However, there was support for appointing Muhenna as regent during Saif's minority. An assembly of Sheikhs and other notable people was convened at

Rustaq Rustaq ( ar, ٱلرُّسْتَاق, Ar-Rustāq) is a town and ''Wilayah'' (District) in Al Batinah Region of northern Oman. The wilayah is in the Western Hajar Mountains, in the south of the Batinah. Rustaq was once the capital of Oman, during ...

, where the Kadhi Adey bin Suliman was persuaded to proclaim Saif bin Sultan II the Imam, albeit reluctantly. Although Saif was popular among the people, the ''

ulama In Islam, the ''ulama'' (; ar, علماء ', singular ', "scholar", literally "the learned ones", also spelled ''ulema''; feminine: ''alimah'' ingularand ''aalimath'' lural are the guardians, transmitters, and interpreters of religious ...

'' considered he was too young to hold office and favored Muhanna as Imam. Muhanna was well-qualified since he was learned, wise and careful in his decisions.

Reign

Muhanna bin Sultan was apparently elected Imam by the ''ulama'' in May 1719 in the citadel at

Nizwa Nizwa ( ar, نِزْوَى, Nizwā) is the largest city in Ad Dakhiliyah Region in Oman and was the capital of Oman proper. Nizwa is about (1.5 hours) from Muscat. The population is estimated at around 72,000 people, including the two areas o ...

. The ''ulama'' had not first obtained tribal consensus, as was customary. Around the end of 1719 Muhanna's supporters smuggled him into the castle at Rustaq and recognized him as Imam. Muhanna proved to be a sensible ruler, careful to consult the religious leaders over any decisions. He abolished the tariffs in the port of

Muscat Muscat ( ar, مَسْقَط, ) is the capital and most populated city in Oman Oman ( ; ar, عُمَان ' ), officially the Sultanate of Oman ( ar, سلْطنةُ عُمان ), is an Arabian country located in southwestern Asia. It is s ...

, which caused trade to double and the economy to flourish. In 1720 a squadron of ships from Muscat defeated a squadron of

Portuguese Portuguese may refer to: * anything of, from, or related to the country and nation of Portugal ** Portuguese cuisine, traditional foods ** Portuguese language, a Romance language *** Portuguese dialects, variants of the Portuguese language ** Portu ...

transports that was on its way to pick up Persian troops for an attempt to regain the

Persian Gulf The Persian Gulf ( fa, خلیج فارس, translit=xalij-e fârs, lit=Gulf of Persis, Fars, ), sometimes called the ( ar, اَلْخَلِيْجُ ٱلْعَرَبِيُّ, Al-Khalīj al-ˁArabī), is a Mediterranean sea (oceanography), me ...

islands held by the Arabs of Muscat.

Deposition and death

However, the public still favored Saif bin Sultan II, and were stirred up by Ya'Arab bin Bel'Arab, his cousin. Ya'Arab raised forces and marched on Muscat, which he took. He then turned towards Rustaq. As he advanced, Muhanna's supported deserted him. Muhanna tried to find safety in the fort at Rustaq. He was offered protection if he left. When he accepted, he was captured, thrown in prison and then murdered. He died around the end of 1720. This began a period of violent tribal hostilities. Ya'Arab bin Bel'Arab re-installed Saif bin Sultan II and declared himself regent during the minority of his cousin. In May 1722 Ya'Arab took the next step and proclaimed himself Imam.

References

Notes Citations Sources * * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Muhanna bin Sultan 1720 deaths Omani monarchy Omani imams Omani Ibadi Muslims 18th-century Omani people Yaruba dynasty Year of birth missing 18th-century Arabs