Final answer:
The Muslim sultanates had control over Zelia due to their military strength and political dominance in the region.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Muslim sultanates had control over Zelia due to their military strength and political dominance in the region. The Ottoman Empire, for example, implemented the millet system, allowing dhimmis to govern their own affairs according to their religious laws. The Sultanate of Rum, established by the Seljuks, absorbed other Turkish tribes in Anatolia and brought them under its control. The Mamluk Sultanate controlled Egypt and the Levant, although it faced challenges with stability.