Caliph Muhammad Al-Amin
Born in 170 AH, Muhammad Al-Amin bin Harun Al-Rashid was the son of Zaynab bint Ja’far, the cousin of Harun Al-Rashid. Al-Amin was of Hashemite lineage from both his father and mother. From a young age, he was recognized for his sharp intellect and eloquence. His father appointed Al-Qatb Al-Nahwi as his tutor and educator. His mother, Zubaida, along with his maternal uncles, worked diligently to ensure that he would inherit the title of Caliph.
The supporters of Al-Amin argued that he was of Hashemite descent, a claim that distinguished him from other Abbasid caliphs. Their opposition to the Barmakids also bolstered their case. Harun Al-Rashid summoned the princes, leaders, courtiers, scholars, and jurists to witness the allegiance pledged to his second son, Muhammad Al-Amin.
A significant conflict arose between Al-Amin and his brother Al-Ma’mun following Al-Amin’s ascension to the caliphate. This discord was fueled by the fierce rivalry between their respective ministers: Al-Fadl bin Al-Rabi’, who sided with Al-Amin, and Al-Fadl bin Sahl, who supported Al-Ma’mun. Ultimately, Al-Amin was killed after multiple battles in which Al-Ma’mun’s forces emerged victorious, leading to their entry into the capital, Baghdad.
Caliph Abdullah Al-Ma’mun
Abdullah bin Harun Al-Rashid, the seventh caliph of the Abbasid dynasty, was born in 198 AH. He is renowned as one of the most distinguished caliphs of the Abbasid era, known for his intellect. His reign was marked by a flourishing of both religious and secular sciences, and it was during this period that the crisis over the creation of the Quran arose, testing many scholars, including the prominent Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal.
Al-Ma’mun possessed considerable political acumen and was well-informed about the affairs of his subjects, especially his inner circle. He was known for his courage in battles against non-believers, particularly the Romans, whom he besieged and fought against multiple times. Al-Ma’mun was open to advice and willing to correct his course if he strayed from the truth. He was a devout follower of the Quran, knowledgeable in literature, and had a refined appreciation for poetry and prose.
Caliph Muhammad Al-Mu’tasim
Known as Abu Ishaq, Muhammad Al-Mu’tasim bin Harun Al-Rashid was born in 179 AH. He had an aversion to formal education, leading some to label him as illiterate. He ascended to the caliphate following the death of his brother Al-Ma’mun. Notable during Al-Mu’tasim’s reign was the conquest of Amuriyah (modern-day Ankara), prompted by an appeal for help from a Muslim woman who was assaulted in Byzantine territory. Upon hearing her desperate cries, “Wa Mu’tasimah!” Al-Mu’tasim immediately mobilized his troops to capture Amuriyah, a campaign later immortalized in verse by the poet Abu Tammam.