Al-Mu'tamid

Al-Mu'tamid was an Abbasid caliph from (870 - 892)

The text below comes from William Muir's public domain, THE CALIPHATE: ITS RISE, DECLINE, AND FALL .

If you can clean up the format, fix obsolete language, correct any factual errors, POV, please do so.

AT this point we come unexpectedly on a brighter view of the Caliphate, with a fair promise maintained to the end of the century, of returning vigour and prosperity. The brave example of Al-Muhtadi, however sad its ending, and a succession of able rulers, contributed no doubt, to this result. But the main cause was the return of the Court in 892 A.D. to Bagdad, where, supported by native feeling, it could better avoid the outrage and curb the influence of Turkish soldiery. During the next three reigns, there was no repetition of the shameful attacks upon the person of the Caliph, which had made his court at Samarra a byword among the nations.

On Al-Muhtadi's deposition, the leading courtiers brought out from confinement at Samarra the eldest surviving son of Al-Mutawakkil, and saluted him as Caliph under the title of Al-Mu'tamid. Musa son of Bogha, engaged with the Khawarij at Al-Ahwaz, hastened back to Court and did obeisance. But his brother, Al-Muwaffak was the real ruler and stay of the Empire. On the Zenji rebellion bringing danger near to Bagdad, Al-Mu'tamid in alarm summoned him from his government at Mecca. Thenceforward he held the reins, and continued to do so till his death near the close of Al-Mu'tamid's life.

Defeat and death of the Zenj leader, 270 A.H. 883 A.D. Finding the cause hopeless, the rebels began to go over in great numbers to Al-Muwaffak who received them kindly, and even offered the arch-offender pardon, which he insolently rejected. At last the citadel fell, and multitudes of women delivered from captivity were returned to their homes.

Illness of Muwaffak, 278 A.H. 891 A.D. Al-Muwaffak when he fell sick, resolved to transmit the sub­stantial authority he possessed to his own son Al-Mu'tadid. This prince was a favourite at the Capital.

Death of Al-Mu'tamid, and succession of Al-Mu'tadid, vii. 279 A.H. Oct., 892 A.D. Al-Mu'tamid never regained any real power; in fact, he had often, both now and before, to struggle in penury with but a few dinars in his purse. In the year following his brother's death he was obliged publicly to depose his own son from the succession, and recognise Al-Mu'tadid as heir-­apparent. He did not long survive, having drunk himself to death in a night carousal, at the age of fifty years, of which he had been Caliph, though in little more than name for twenty-three years.

Preceded by: Al-Muhtadi	Abbasid Leader	Succeeded by: Al-Mu'tadid
	Caliph