Reign of al-Saffah Reign of al-Mansur 762 Start of construction of Baghdad

Abu Nuwas (poet, d. c. 813) Harun al-Rashid (caliph, ) Sibawayh (grammarian, d. c. 793) Ibn Ishaq (biographer, d. 767) al-Jahiz (prose essayist, d. 869) al-Tabari (historian, d. 923)

Map Link: ‘Abbasid Caliphate, c. 800:

802 Harun al-Rashid splits inheritance Reign of al-Amin Civil war Reign of al-Ma’mun Reign of al-Mu‘tasim 836 Al-Mu‘tasim moves capital to Samarra Khurasan mamluks (“owned ones”) i.e. slave- soldiers

861 Al-Mutawakkil killed by Turkish soldiers Revolt of the zanj in southern Iraq 892 Al-Mu‘tadid (r ) moves capital back to Baghdad 936 Al-Radi (r ) hands power over to deputy Ibn Ra’iq

Map Link: Regional Dynasties, 9th, 10th Century:

932 ‘Ali ibn Buya takes Fars, makes capital at Shiraz 945 Ahmad ibn Buya takes Baghdad, becomes caliphal deputy (amir al-umara’) of al-Mustakfi (r ) 946 Al-Hasan ibn Buya takes much of Persia Reign of caliph al-Qadir, who tried to codify Sunni ritual and doctrine

Abu Yusuf (d. 798) Abu Yusuf Ya‘qub ibn Ibrahim al-Ansari al-Kufi Arab descent. Studied religious law and traditions under Abu Hanifa (d. 767) and Malik ibn Anas (d. 795) Became qadi in Baghdad. Favoured by Harun al-Rashid (r ), who awarded him title qadi al-qudat

Abu Yusuf (d. 798) Wrote various works, incl. Kitab al-Kharaj (book on taxation, public finance, justice etc.), written at request of Harun al-Rashid

Al-Mawardi (b. Basra 974, d. Baghdad 1058) Abu’l-Hasan ‘Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Habib al-Mawardi Shafi‘ite jurisprudent and teacher. After completed education, became famous and served as qadi in various places, incl. eventually in Baghdad. In 1058, awarded title qadi al-qudat. Also served as diplomat for the caliphs.

Al-Mawardi (b. Basra 974, d. Baghdad 1058) Wrote a wide range of works. Best known for Kitab al-Ahkam al-Sultaniyya (book on government)

Al-Farabi (d. Damascus 950) Abu Nasr Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Tarkhan ibn Awzalagh Very famous Muslim philosopher, but little known of life. Of Turkish origin. Lived quiet life until invited in 942 by Sayf al-Dawla, ruler of Aleppo, to his court. Lived there until just before death.

Al-Farabi (d. Damascus 950) Learned philosophy from a Nestorian Christian of Greek school. Credited with over 100 works, incl. Fi Mabadi’ Ara’ Ahl al-Madina al-Fadila (book on perfect state, presenting Islamic version of Plato’s Republic)