The Great Abbasid Civil War | Al-Amin and Al-Mamun | 809CE - 819CE

When the great caliph Harun Al-Rashid died in 809CE, he left behind an extensive plan of succession. He was to be succeeded by his son Muhammad. Muhammad was to be succeeded by Abdullah, another one of Harun’s sons. The caliph had held very public ceremonies to get everyone to agree to this arrangement. An official agreement was signed by both princes while standing in Makkah, the holiest city. Now that the caliph was dead, Muhammad became the caliph and took the title of Al-Amin, ‘the trustworthy’. Don’t