Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah

9.9

A ruler of Egypt in the Middle Ages who claimed to be God and helped start the Druze faith

proper noun

: Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah

The Druze faith recognizes Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah as a key religious figure.

Examples

Many stories surround the mysterious disappearance of Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah in 1021.
The rule of Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah marked a period of radical changes in Egyptian society.
Wow, Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah was a controversial leader!
Did Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah really consider himself a god?
The Druze faith recognizes Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah as a key religious figure.
Many stories surround the mysterious disappearance of Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah in 1021.
The rule of Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah marked a period of radical changes in Egyptian society.

Surface Forms

Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah main

Morphology

Al-Hakim + bi-Amr + Allah

This is an Arabic proper name/title composed of non-English elements; the provided constituents 'Al-Hakim' and 'bi-Amr' are not recognizable dictionary items for an English B1 learner and knowing only 'Allah' does not allow one to infer the historical/biographical meaning. As a specific regnal name referring to a particular caliph and title, its sense is not compositionally predictable from the parts, so learners would not derive the intended meaning without prior exposure or cultural knowledge.

Etymology

Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah has a name that points to power: Al-Hakim means 'the ruler' and bi-Amr Allah means 'by God's command'. He was a ruler in Egypt who said he was a form of God, and that claim led people to start the 'Druze' faith, so his name is remembered as a key religious figure.