6th Caliph of Abbasid Caliphate Abu Musa Muhammad ibn Harun al-Rashid (al-Amin)

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Sixth Caliph of Abbasid Caliphate Abu Musa Muhammad ibn Harun al-Rashid (al-Amin)

Asslamoalaikum sisters brothers friends and elders, today We are discribing on an enlightening journey through the life and reign of Abu Musa Muhammad ibn Harun al-Rashid, widely known as al-Amin, the sixth caliph of the Abbasid Caliphate. This video delves into his significant contributions, challenges, and the historical context of his rule. Perfect for history enthusiasts and scholars alike, this educational content will enrich your knowledge of one of the pivotal figures in Islamic history.

Abu Musa Muhammad ibn Harun al-Rashid better known by his laqab of al-Amin , was the sixth Arab Abbasid caliph from 809 to 813.

Al-Amin succeeded his father, Harun al-Rashid, in 809 and ruled until he was deposed and killed in 813, during the civil war by his half-brother, al-Ma'mu

Muhammad, the future al-Amin, was born in April 787 to the Abbasid caliph Harun al-Rashid (r.?786–809) and Zubayda, herself descended from the second Abbasid caliph, al-Mansur (r.?754–775).[1]

Muhammad had an elder half-brother, Abdallah, the future al-Ma'mun (r.?813–833), who had been born in September 786. However, Abdallah's mother was a Persian slave concubine, and his pure Abbasid lineage gave Muhammad seniority over his half-brother.[1][2] Indeed, he was the only Abbasid caliph to claim such descent.[2] Already in 792, Harun had Muhammad receive the oath of allegiance (bay'ah) with the name of al-Am?n ("The Trustworthy"), effectively marking him out as his main heir, while Abdallah was not named second heir, under the name al-Ma?m?n ("The Trusted One") until 799.[1][2] Both brothers were assigned members of the powerful Barmakid family as tutors: al-Amin's tutor was al-Fadl ibn Yahya, while al-Ma'mun's was Ja'far ibn Yahya

When Harun al-Rashid died in March 809. (Harun had dismissed Ali and replaced him with Harthama ibn A'yan, and in 808 marched himself east to deal with the rebel Rafi ibn al-Layth, but died in March 809 while at Tus).[12] Al-Amin smoothly succeeded him. The majority of army commanders on the Khorasan expedition decided to obey new caliph's order to return to Baghdad. The rebel chose to surrender himself to Harun's son and new governor of Khurasan, al-Ma'mun. He was pardoned, and nothing more is known of him after.[12] Al-Amin continued the progressive moves of his father. The first two years of his reign were generally peaceful.
Hostility towards al-Mamun

Al-Ma'mun had mistrusted al-Amin before their father's death and convinced Harun to take him with him on Harun's last journey east. Although Harun had instructed the Baghdad commanders of this expedition to remain with al-Ma'mun, after Harun's death they returned to Baghdad. Al-Amin sought to turn al-Ma'mun's financial agent in Rayy against al-Ma'mun and he ordered al-Ma'mun to acknowledge al-Amin's son Musa as heir and return to Baghdad. Al-Ma'mun replaced his agent in Rayy and refused the orders. His mother was Persian and he had strong support in Iran.

The brothers had different mothers. Al-Amin was prompted to move against al-Ma'mun by meddlesome ministers, especially al-Fadl ibn al-Rabi'. He had Harun's succession documents brought from Mecca to Baghdad, where he destroyed them. Then, he sent agents east to stir opposition to al-Ma'mun. However, a careful watch at the frontier denied them the opportunity. Al-Amin denied al-Ma'mun's request for his family and money and kept them in Baghdad.
Internal rebellions

Al-Amin faced unrest in Syria. He sent Abd al-Malik ibn Salih to restore order there. There was fierce fighting and Abd al-Malik died. Al-Amin sent Ahmad ibn Mazyad and Abdallah ibn Humayd east, each with an army (al-Tabari v. 31 p. 100 says each had 20,000 men). However, Tahir's agents sowed discord and these two armies fought against each other.

Al-Amin faced an uprising in Baghdad led by Ali ibn Isa's son Husayn. This was quelled and Husayn was killed

Al-Amin's only wife was Lubana bint Ali ibn al-Mahdi, who was noted for her exceptional beauty.[17] However, al-Amin died before the consummation of his marriage to Lubanah; her attested poetry includes a lament for his death: 'Oh hero lying dead in the open, betrayed by his commanders and guards. I cry over you not for the loss of my comfort and companionship, but for your spear, your horse and your dreams. I cry over my lord who widowed me before our wedding night'.[18]

One of his concubines was Fatm. She was the mother of his son Musa. She died during his reign, and he mourned her loss deeply. When his mother Zubaydah learned of his sorrow, she came to offer him solace, by reciting fitting verses from poetry.[19] Another concubine was Umm Abdullah. She was the mother of his son Abdullah. She was a poetess.[20] Another concubine was Arib.[21] She asserted that she was the daughter of Ja'far ibn Yahya, a member of the Barmakid family, and claimed that she was abducted and sold as a child when the Barmakids lost their influence. Al-Amin acquired her and subsequently sold her to his brother al-Ma'mun. She gained recognition as a prominent poet, singer, and musician.[22] Another concubine was Faridah. She was raised in the Hejaz. Initially, she served Harun al-Rashid's chamberlain, al-Rabi' ibn Yunus, where she learned to sing. Later, she came under the ownership of the Barmakid family. However, after Ja'far ibn Yahya's death and the Barmakids' downfall, she went into hiding. Despite efforts by Caliph al-Rashid to find her, she remained elusive. Following al-Rashid's death, she became the property of al-Amin, staying with him until his demise, after which she fled. She later married al-Haytham ibn Bassam and bore him a son named Abdullah. Upon al-Haytham's death, she married al-Sindi ibn al-Harashi.[22] Another concubine was Hadiyya. She was a singer, who had been trained and presented to al-Amin by his uncle Ibrahim ibn al-Mahdi.[23] Another concubine was Badhal. She had been formerly a concubine of al-Amin's cousin Ja'far bin al-Hadi. She hailed from Medina and was raised in Basra. Described as charming with fair skin, she was praised for her musical talent, particularly her skill in playing instruments, and was known for her exceptional ability as a songwriter and singer. After al-Amin's death, she became a concubine of Ali bin Hisham.[24] Another concubine was Da'f. She was a songstress and was one of his favourites.[25]

Al-Amin tried to nominate his sons, Musa and Abdullah, as heirs.[19] Musa was born in 806,[26] and passed away at a young age in December 823–January 824. Abdullah, who spent an extended period in the courts of subsequent caliphs, was the sole individual to continue the lineage of al-Amin.[19]
Sexual Orientation

Al-Amin fell in love with one of his eunuch named Kauthar, whom he had named after a river in heaven.In an effort to dissuade her son from his homosexuality,al-Amin's mother insisted that his female slaves dress in men's attire to encourage him to engage in sexual relationships with them.[27]
Death
Main article: Siege of Baghdad (812–813)

In 812, Tahir advanced and set up camp near Baghdad's Anbar Gate and besieged the city. The effects of this siege were made more intense by the rampaging prisoners who broke out of jail. There were several vicious battles, such as at al-Amin's palace of Qasr Halih, at Darb al- Hijarah and the al-Shammasiyyah Gate. In that last one Tahir led reinforcements to regain positions lost by another officer. Overall the situation was worsening for al-Amin and he became depressed.

When Tahir pushed into the city, al-Amin sought to negotiate safe passage out. Tahir reluctantly agreed on the condition al-Amin turn over his sceptre, seal and other symbols of office. Al-Amin tried to leave on a boat, apparently with these symbols, rejecting warnings to wait. However, Tahir noticed the boat, and al-Amin was thrown into the water, swam to shore, was captured and then brought to a room, where he was executed. His head was placed on the Anbar Gate. Al-Tabari (v. 31 pp. 197–202) quotes Tahir's letter to al-Ma'mun informing him of al-Amin's capture and execution and the state of peace resulting in Baghdad

When al-Amin was killed, one of Zubaidah's eunuchs came to her and appealed to her to seek vengeance for al-Amin's blood as Aisha sought vengeance for the blood of Uthman (According to Eunuch's view). Zubaida, however, refused to do so.[28] As al-Ma'mun refused to acknowledge al-Amin's son Musa as heir, the throne went to al-Ma'mun

We pray to Allah Almighty to give us permission to read Quran wa Hadith and also permit us to read, understand our Islamic history. Ameen Allah Hafiz

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