Caliph al-Ma‟mūn who was born the day his father Hārūn ar-Rashīd ascended the throne was described as a well built and good looking man. He was distinguished among members of the „Abbāsid household for his unique traits like prudence, determination, clemency, sense of juggement and liberality. Al-Ma‟mūn was married to Khadijah better known as Buran, the daughter of his vizier Hasan ibn Sahl. The marriage was celebrated with pomp and pageantry reminiscence of the magnificence of the court of Baghdād at this epoch. The father of the bride was said to have entertained people for seventeen days on a lavish scale. Buran, a beautiful lady was notable for charity as she founded several hospitals and seminaries for women in Baghdād. Buran who had great influence over her husband survived the Caliph for nearly fifty years and died in 262A.H/883C.E.
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 4
Discuss briefly the effect of al-Ma‟mūn‟s liberal nature on his government as a caliph
4.0 CONCLUSION
To students of history, the description of Caliph al-Ma‟mūn‟s government as the best in the history of Islam is not misplaced in view of the giant stride attained during that period. The way he bestrode the political landscape of that empire and the deft with which he dealt with multifarious problems as they appear goes to show his firm grip on the empire as a whole. This is particularly significant in his ability to bring back to life an empire that has almost collapsed due initially to his absence from the capital. Finally; his achievements in various areas of human
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endeavour is an eloquent testimony of a man who goes down in history as the indisputable pride of the house of ‟Abbās within and outside the empire.
5.0 SUMMARY
Al-Ma‟mūn arrived Baghdād to personally take over the rein of government and chose some able lieutenants to take charge of every part of the administration
Al-Ma‟mūn together with his brilliant general Abdullah ibn Tāhir did a great job in suppressing several insurrections that broke out during his reign.
The Caliph‟s period recorded a prosperous state that accommodated people of different races and religious affiliations
Himself a liberal man, al-Ma‟mūn secularized his empire and gave particular recognition to the Mutazilites by adopting their doctrines as the official state religion.
His great passion for intellectual discourse informed the gathering of learned men in various fields in his court where philosophical discussions were usually held.
He founded Bayt al-Hikmah (house of wisdom) where mass production of academic works in translation or original works usually took place.
His initial effort at choosing Imam ar-Ridha from the house of Muhammad as his successor backfired as his „Abbāsid brethren vehemently opposed this.
Al-Ma‟mūn married Buran the daughter of his vizier Hasan ibn Sahl in a societal marriage; few of which have been so held in the history of Islam.
Before his death in 213A.H./833C.E. having spent twenty years and eight months; he nominated his brother Mu‟tasim as his heir apparent against the popular choice of his son Abbas who was then enjoying the support of the army.
Al-Ma‟mūn would be remembered for his forebearance, magnanimity and liberality among others.
6.0 TUTOR MARKED ASSIGNMENT
Explain in detail, the contributions of al-Ma‟mūn to intellectual development of Islam
7.0 REFERENCES / FURTHER READING
7.0 REFERENCES/FURTHER READING
Abdul, M. (1988) The Classical Caliphate Islamic Institutions: Lagos: Islamic Publications Bureau
Ali, S.A. (1979), A Short History of the Saracens: Delhi: Kutub Khana Ishayat-ul-Islam
Bloom, J. & Blair S. (2002) Islam: A Thousand Years of Faith and Power. New Delhi: Sterling Publishers
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Brockelmann, C. (1982) Edited. History of the Islamic Peoples. London & Henley:
Routledge & Kegan Paul
Bukhsh S.K (n.d) Contributions to the History of Islamic Civilization Vol.1;
Lahore: Accurate Printers
Crone, P. (2005) Medieval Islamic Political Thought; Edinburgh, Edinburgh University Press.
Grunebaum, G. E. von (1970). Classical Islam. A History 600-1258. London:
George Allen & Unwin
Hillenbrand, C. (2009) The Crusades: The Muslim Perspectives Edinburgh:
Edinburgh University Press
Hitti P.K (1977) History of the Arabs London: Macmillan
Nicholson R.A. (1979) A Literary History of the Arabs. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Holt, P. M., Lambton, Ann K. S., Lewis, B (1970). Editors. The Cambridge History of Islam Vol. 1A. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
Lewis, B. (1985). The Arabs in History. London etc: Hutchinson
Rahim A. (2001) Islamic History: Lagos, Islamic Publications Bureau.
Saunders, J. J. (1972). A History of Medieval Islam. London etc: Routledge &
Kegan Paul
Watt, W. M. (1974). The Majesty that was Islam. London: Sidgwick &Jackson.
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