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 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.

. 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 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.

. 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. That region was after that governed by Waṣîf, a freedman of the caliph, who confirmed Sûrân in his position.