The second Fatimid invasion of Egypt began under the command of Al-Qa'im bi-Amr Allah, who set out from Raqqada at the head of an army aimed at asserting the Fatimid claim to Egypt. The Fatimid dynasty, originating from North Africa and vying for prominence within the Islamic world, had already made substantial territorial gains by this time. Egypt, rich in resources and culturally significant, represented both a strategic military objective and an essential area for religious legitimacy in Islam.

The context for this invasion involved the ongoing struggle for power among various Islamic factions. The Abbasid Caliphate, while at the height of its influence, was facing challenges from rising powers such as the Fatimids. This invasive campaign was critical not only for expanding the Fatimid's geographical territory but also for enhancing its ideological claims to leadership among Muslims. Raqqada, situated in present-day Tunisia, served as the launching point due to its position as the Fatimid center of power.

As Al-Qa'im bi-Amr Allah marched his forces southward, the political landscape of Egypt was marked by divisions among local dynasties such as the Ikhshidids, who controlled considerable territories. The intention behind the Fatimid invasion was to establish direct rule over Egypt and strengthen its socio-political fabric against other rival factions. Egypt's control promised access to lucrative economic routes and the management of a diverse population with rich cultural traditions. This moment marked the beginning of a significant era in which Egypt would become a central hub of Fatimid governance and culture, leading to profound changes in the region’s political dynamics.