Final answer:
The Fatimids were a Shia faction that established a Shia caliphate in the tenth century, spreading their faith through education and building important cultural institutions like the Al-Azhar Mosque. They faced challenges from Christian crusaders and internal conflicts but are remembered for their contributions to Shia Islam so the correct answer is option is (a).
Step-by-step explanation:
The Fatimids were part of the Shi'a faction of Islam and established the only Shia caliphate during their reign. Their rise began in the tenth century when they challenged the rule of the Sunni Abbasids. The Fatimids claimed descent from Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, which reinforced their religious and political legitimacy among Shi'a Muslims. They founded the city of Cairo in Egypt in 969 and made it their capital, from which they sought to expand and promote Shia Islam.
Unlike other rulers of the time, the Fatimids were known for their religious tolerance, opting to spread their faith through education and cultural influence rather than force. They built madrasas and mosques such as the Al-Azhar Mosque, one of the most famous centers of learning in the Islamic world. Despite this, the Fatimid caliphate faced various challenges, including those from the European Christian crusaders and internal power struggles, but their significant legacy remains in the spread and development of Shia Islam in the regions they once governed.