‘Izz al-Dīn Abū Sarī‘ ‘Ajlān ibn Rumaythah ibn Muḥammad Abī Numayy al-Ḥasanī was Emir of Mecca from 1344 and 1372, with interruptions.
Biography
Ajlan was born around 707 AH. He was the son of the Emir of Mecca Rumaythah ibn Abi Numayy, who reigned between 1301 and 1345.
In 744 AH (1343/1344) Ajlan and his brother Thaqabah purchased the emirate from their elderly father for 60,000 dirhams, without approval from the Mamluk sultan. Consequently, when Thaqabah arrived in Egypt seeking recognition from al-Salih Isma'il, the sultan had him arrested and ordered the emirate returned to Rumaythah. In late Dhu al-Qi'dah (April 1344) Ajlan quit Mecca after receiving news of Thaqabah's capture. He went to Yemen, where he interfered with the passage of jilab (ships) to Mecca, resulting in high inflation during the hajj that year. After the departure of the hajj caravans from the city, Ajlan returned to Mecca and reconciled with his father.
In Muharram 746 AH (May 1345) Ajlan traveled to Egypt and al-Salih appointed him emir of Mecca in place of his father. He returned to Mecca in Jumada II 746 AH accompanied by 50 mamluks and carrying a decree of appointment from the new sultan al-Kamil Sha'ban (al-Salih died before Ajlan took office). He took over the emirate without bloodshed, and on the evening of 18 Jumada II (15 October 1345) the dua was made for Ajlan and for al-Kamil, and discontinued for Rumaythah.
