Ishaq al-Turk - Definition and Overview

Ishaq al-Turk (also: Eshaq El-Tork, Arabic إسحاق الترك). Abbasid propagandist for Abu Muslim sent to the Turks of Transoxania, hence the name al-Turk (of the Turks). After Abu Muslim's murder at the orders of al-Mansur, he fled to Transoxania, and declared a revolt on al-Mansur. He claimed that Abu Muslim was a prophet who was sent to reform Zoroastrianism, thus starting one of many movements claiming prophethood or divinity for Abu Muslim. He also claimed descent from Yahya ibn Zayd ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib, but is most likely an ethnic Persian. The Abbasid ruler of Khorasan had him captured and executed. His group continued to be known as al-Muslimiyya (followers of Abu Muslim).

See also

Bihafarid Sunpadh al-Muqanna

External links

• Encyclopedia Iranica article (http://www.iranica.com/articles/v8f6/v8f628.html)
• Short Arabic biography (http://history.al-islam.com/names.asp?year=140#n753)