Fadl ibn Muhammad

Al-Fadhl ibn Muhammad al-Shaddadi (also al-Fadl ibn Muhammad, Fadl ibn Muhammad, Fadlun ibn Muhammad, Fadhlun ibn Muhammad, or Fadl I was the Shaddadid emir of Arran from 985 to 1031. Of Kurdish origin, al-Fadhl was called "Fadhlun the Kurd" by ibn al-Athir and other Arabic historians. Al-Fadhl was the first Shaddadid emir to issue coinage, locating his mint first at Partav (Barda'a) and was later transferred to Ganja.[1]

Al-Fadhl built a bridge across the Araxes with the intent to raid the Rawadids, and led an expedition against the Khazars around 1030.[2] The Khazars reportedly killed 10,000 of his soldiers. Since the Khazar Khaganate had been destroyed in 969, it is unclear whether these Khazars were from a successor state or kingdom located in the Caucasus, were subjects of a Kipchak or Pecheneg ruler, or whether ibn al-Athir was mistaken or was using "Khazars" as a generic term for steppe people.

In 993, the army of Fadl I captured Barda and Beylagan.[3] During his reign, there were clashes with the Georgian kings, the Byzantines (1037-1038), the Alans and the Rus.[4] Friendly relations were maintained with the Rawadids, the Shirvanshahs, and the Emirate of Tbilisi.[5]

According to Ibn al-Athir, Fadl I launched a campaign against the Khazars in 1030.[6]

Al-Fadhl died in 1031 and was succeeded by his son Abu'l-Fath Musa.