Abu Numayy II (full name: Muhammad Abu Numayy ibn Barakat; c. 1473 – 1566 or 1567) was a prominent Sharif of Mecca and held the title of Emir of Mecca for an exceptionally long period, from 1512 until his death. His reign marked a critical transition in the history of the Hejaz, as control of the holy cities shifted from the Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt to the burgeoning Ottoman Empire.
Early Life and Accession Born into the Banu Qatadah branch of the Hashemite Sharifs, Abu Numayy II succeeded his father, Barakat II, as Emir of Mecca in 1512. At the time, the Hejaz, including Mecca and Medina, was under the nominal suzerainty of the Mamluk Sultanate based in Cairo.
Reign and the Ottoman Transition Abu Numayy II's reign is most notable for his astute political maneuvering during the Ottoman conquest of the Mamluk Sultanate. When Ottoman Sultan Selim I conquered Egypt in 1517, effectively ending Mamluk rule, the Hejaz became a crucial territory for the new imperial power due to its religious significance. Abu Numayy II promptly recognized the new Ottoman authority, sending his son and heir, Ahmad, to Cairo to pledge allegiance to Selim I. In return, the Ottomans confirmed Abu Numayy II as the Sharif of Mecca, ensuring the continuity of Hashemite rule while integrating the Hejaz into the Ottoman imperial system.
This arrangement proved mutually beneficial: the Ottomans secured their religious legitimacy by controlling the holy cities and the Hajj routes, while Abu Numayy II retained considerable local autonomy and control over the administration of Mecca and Medina. He skillfully managed the balance between Ottoman overlordship (manifested through the appointment of a governor in Jeddah and the sending of annual Hajj caravans) and local Sharifian interests, ensuring the security of pilgrims and the prosperity of the region.
Administration and Succession Throughout his long reign, Abu Numayy II was responsible for the upkeep of the holy sanctuaries and the organization of the Hajj pilgrimage. He often appointed his sons to co-rule or to govern various parts of the Sharifate, preparing them for succession. His sons, particularly Hasan ibn Abu Numayy and Abd al-Muttalib, played active roles in the administration during his later years.
Death and Legacy Abu Numayy II died in 1566 or 1567, after reigning for over five decades. His long and stable rule was crucial in establishing the framework for Ottoman-Sharifian relations that would largely persist for centuries. He is remembered as a capable and pragmatic leader who navigated a complex geopolitical landscape, preserving the status of the Hashemite Sharifate while integrating the Hejaz into one of the most powerful empires of the era. He is buried in Mecca.