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Reforms of al-Mutawakkil

Type Event Region West Asia Time 847–861

After acceding in 847, Caliph al-Mutawakkil abolished the mihna, restored Sunni traditionalists, curbed Mu'tazilis, expanded Samarra, and relied on T…

Timeline

  1. 847–848Samarra · SamarraAfter succeeding in 847, al-Mutawakkil quickly adjusted religious policy, formally abolishing the mihna in 848, releasing imprisoned scholars, and openly supporting Sunni traditionalists. He distanced himself from Mu'tazili scholars and restored respect for hadith tradition, marking a major turn in Abbasid religious state policy.
  2. 848–852Samarra · SamarraAl-Mutawakkil massively expanded Samarra into the new imperial capital, building palaces, mosques, and administrative facilities, concentrating the court and Turkic guards there. This diminished Baghdad's political centrality and deepened the bond between military slave corps and the caliphal court.
  3. 850–861Iraq · IraqAl-Mutawakkil reformed land tax and tribute collection, tightened oversight of provincial governors, and further expanded the Turkic guards. The growing power of the military slave corps foreshadowed later palace coups and the Anarchy at Samarra.

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