During their rule, the Ghaznavids adopted an inflexible policy towards those opposed to the Abbasid caliphate. In line with rhis policy, they took a harsh stance against anti - Abbasid patries such as the Isma'ilis and Fatimids in Egypt. On the other hand, in order to expand their influence in eastern territories of the caliphate, the Fatimids were in need of promotiong their relations with local dynasties including the Ghaznavids themselves. Thus, the Fatimids embarked on establishing relations with the Ghaznavids through dispatching envoy and missionaries. However, in order to prover their loyalty to the Abbasids as the only legitimate institution to occupy the caliphate office in the Muslim World, the Ghaznavids rejected the Fatimid initiative and adopted a severe attitude towards Fatimid envoys and missionaries. This article, while studying turbulent relations between the Ghaznavids and Fatimids, investigates the effects of these relations on the Ghaznavid relations with the Abbasids and Islam'ilis as well.
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