The policy of the Abbasid caliphs towards the Alawites, between friendship and hostility, is exemplified by Caliph Ma’mun and Al-Mutawakkil

Abstract

The establishment of the Islamic Caliphate under the leadership of the Prophet (pbuh) in Medina became a gateway for the appearance and role of the members of Banu Hashim and encouraged and strengthened the relationship between them Members of this family، however، over time، unwanted conflicts and wars and attempts to reach the top of the caliphate led to the fading of blood ties between cousins ​​and members of both Alawi fathers And the Abbasids، especially after the Abbasids established the caliphate and determined power in their favor، instead of expressing sympathy and reward for the Alawites and caring for them، began to punish، kill and expel them This further divided the cousins.

Interestingly، this harsh and hostile policy did not end، but during the reign of Caliph Maimun، unlike his predecessors، in an unexpected step، instead of capture and exile، He brought forward the Alawites and prepared them for the highest rank of the caliphate and appointed Ali ibn Musa ibn Ja'far ibn Muhammad ibn Ali Hussein ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib (d. 203 AH/819 AD) as his successor It was contrary to the principles of the Abbasid dynasty، although there is disagreement about this step of Caliph Maimun، some describe it as pure intentions and others as conspiracy، because it is the action of the Caliph Maimun did not reflect the views of the Abbasids، as evidenced by some of the later caliphs who not only did not adhere to the friendship of the Alawites، but also severely repressed and punished them. Especially during the reign of Caliph Mutawakil، whose policy towards the Alawites was similar to that of Abu Ja'far Mansour and Harun Rashid، not Maimun، he was even so harsh towards them that he expelled them He did not remove the remains of the tomb of Hussein ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib and did not allow his followers to visit it، which proves the opposition of the Alawites to the Abbasids It became a long-standing hatred.