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Al-Mutawakkil

Type Figure Region Iraq Time c. 822–861 Also known as Ja'far ibn al-Mu'tasim

Al-Mutawakkil (c. 822–861) was the tenth Abbasid caliph; during his reign (847–861) he moved the court to Samarra, vigorously promoted Sunni orthodox…

Timeline

  1. c. 822–847Baghdad · IraqSon of al-Mu'tasim, he grew up at court and witnessed the establishment of the Turkic guard system under his father's reign, laying the background for his later rule.
  2. 847–852Samarra · IraqSucceeded al-Wathiq as al-Mutawakkil, and immediately set about consolidating Sunni status and adjusting the court and military-political arrangements.
  3. 852–861Samarra · IraqKept the court permanently at Samarra, built the Great Mosque and other structures, strengthened Sunni juridical authority, harshly suppressed Shia and heretical doctrines, while also patronizing scholarship and crafts.

Sources