Shibaam is at an elevation of 9000 feet, and it is the highest peak in Haraaz. On a clear day it is possible to see all the way to the Red Sea from the summit. It is a very strategically important mountain from a military perspective. From the time of Imam Mustansir Billah (SA) the fort at Shibaam had been under the control of Da’wat. After the shahadat of Syedna Ali bin Mohammed Alsulayhi (RA) it fell to the enemy. During the time of Syedna Hatim (RA) it was won back, and it became a center of the Fatemi Da’wat. Over time many situations arose and control of Shibaam fell once more into enemy hands.
During the reign of the 16th Dai, Syedna Abdullah Fakhruddin (RA), his son and successor Syedna Hasan (RA) set out to conquer the fort once more. He marched with an army of seven thousand men. When Syedna drew close to a masjid near there, people began to urge him to reconsider his intention to conquer Shibaam.
Syedna Hasan’s (RA) purpose was unshakeable. He replied that when I descend from here it will only be after I have won Shibaam. For seven months, Syedna laid siege to the fort. By then the stores of food near the fort had nearly depleted. Still, Syedna (RA) did not waver from his goal. People were reduced to stripping and drying the skins from their animals, then soaking them in water to eat.
Finally after seven months had passed, in the month of Jamada Al Ula 794H Syedna Hasan emerged victorious and Shibaam was conquered once more. One month later his son and successor, Syedna Idris (RA) was born there. People joyously offered felicitations for both momentuous occasions: the victory and birth of Syedna’s son.
Article taken from www.misbah.info