Sabur al-Saqlabi (died 1009/1010 CE), also known as Sābūr al-Ṣaqlabī, was a prominent Saqlabi (Slavic) eunuch who rose to become a high-ranking official and later an independent ruler in Al-Andalus during the late 10th and early 11th centuries.
Originally a slave of Slavic origin (a Saqlabi), Sabur's intelligence and abilities allowed him to ascend through the court hierarchy of the Umayyad Caliphate of Córdoba. He achieved significant power and influence during the reign of Caliph Al-Hakam II (r. 961–976 CE), serving as a powerful hajib (chamberlain) and playing a crucial role in both administrative and military affairs.
Following Al-Hakam II's death and the succession of the young Caliph Hisham II in 976 CE, Sabur became a key player in the regency struggles, often finding himself in opposition to other influential figures like the future de facto ruler Almanzor (Muhammad ibn Abi Amir). As central caliphal authority began to erode during the fitna (civil strife) that led to the fragmentation of Al-Andalus in the early 11th century, Sabur capitalized on the instability.
He established himself as an independent ruler, founding the Taifa of Badajoz (Taifa de Badajoz), one of the most significant of the successor states to the Caliphate. He ruled over a vast territory in what is now western Spain and parts of Portugal until his death in 1009 or 1010 CE. After his death, his realm was divided among two of his trusted Saqlabi clients, showcasing the continued prominence of Slavic-origin individuals in the political landscape of Al-Andalus even after his demise. Sabur al-Saqlabi's career exemplifies the social mobility and political power that skilled individuals, regardless of their origin, could attain within the highly structured yet dynamic society of Islamic Iberia.