Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Yaqut (Arabic: أبو بكر محمد بن ياقوت) was an official who played a major role in the tumultuous political affairs of the Abbasid Caliphate in 930–935, particularly during the reign of al-Qahir (932–934) and the early months of the reign of ar-Radi, when he was the most powerful man in the state.
[1] The latter mutinied because of pay arrears a few months later, and were also expelled from Baghdad, after which they were attacked and destroyed near Wasit by the Abbasid commander-in-chief, Mu'nis al-Muzaffar.
[2] On his return to Baghdad, he quickly rose to great favour with al-Qahir, and remained an influential member of the court for the duration of his brief reign.
[2] Indeed, when al-Qahir was deposed and ar-Radi (r. 934–940) installed as caliph in April 934, Muhammad was appointed hajib and commander-in-chief of the army, thus rising in power above even the vizier Ibn Muqla, and becoming the de facto ruler of the state.
[2] From this position, he headed an expedition against Harun ibn Gharib, a cousin of al-Muqtadir and governor of Mah al-Kufa, who had rebelled against al-Radi.