Abbasid Caliphate : Short History

A. Prologue

Daula Abbasid period was the golden age of Islam, or often referred to as”The Golden Age”. At that time Muslims have reached the peak of glory, both in the economic field, civilization and power. It also has developed various branches of science, coupled with the many books of translation from foreign languages into Arabic. This phenomenon is then that gave birth to great scholars-scholars who produce many new innovations in the various disciplines of knowledge. Bani Abbas inherited a large empire Bani Umayyad. This allows them to achieve more results, because the foundation has been prepared by Bani Umayyad Daula great.

By the fall of Umayyad Daula has happened a lot of chaos in various areas of the state of life; occurs errors and mistakes made by the Deputy and the authorities of other countries so that there violations of Islamic teachings.

Among the errors and mistakes made are:

1. Political staffing based on clan, class, tribe, people and friends.
2. Oppression continued against the followers of Ali RA in particular and the Banu Hashim in general.
3. Penganggapan low against the Muslims who are not Arabs, so they are not given a chance in government.
4. Violation of the teachings of Islam and the rights of human rights in ways that openly. [1]

Bani Abbas has begun to take steps to seize power from the time of Caliph Umar bin Abdul Aziz (717-720 AD) ruled. Caliph was known liberal and tolerate the various activities of the Shia families. [2] descendants of Bani Hashim and Bani Abbas who were oppressed by Daula Umayyad find a way to move freely, where they founded a secret movement to overthrow the Umayyad and build Daula Abbasid Daula. This movement was preceded by the descendants of Bani Abbas, as Ali bin Abdullah bin Abbas, Muhammad and Ibrahim. [3]

Under the leadership of their Imam Muhammad bin Ali al-Abbasy they moved in two phases, namely phase and phase-secret openly and battle. [4] During the Imam Mohammed is still alive is very secret movement. Propaganda sent to all corners of the country, and got a lot of followers, especially from groups who feel oppressed, even from groups that initially supported Daula Umayyad After Imam Muhammad died and was replaced by his son Ibrahim, at this time to join a young Persian bloody brave and smart in this secret movement named Abu Muslim al-Khorasani. Since its entry into the Abu Muslim Abbasid secret of this movement, the movement began with a frank way, and how to battle, and finally with the pretext of Ali’s descendants want to return to the throne of the Caliphate, Abu Abbas-led movement has succeeded in attracting support the Shiites in fueling the resistance the Umayyad caliphate. Abu Abbas, then start with the murder plot until thoroughly all families Caliph, who was held by the caliph Marwan II ibn Muhammad. Once the enormity of the killing to call himself Abu Abbas, the blood or pengalir As-Saffar. [5] So in the month coinciding Zulhijjah 132 AH (750 AD) with the murder of Caliph Marwan II in Fusthath, Egypt and the Abbasid resmilah standing Daula.

In the event one of the Umayyad Caliphate throne, the new Abdurrahman 20-year-old, managed to escape to mainland Spain. This figure is then managed to reconstruct the Bani Umayyad forces overseas, namely in the emirates of Cordova. There he managed to restore the glory of the Caliphate Umayyad Caliphate name Andalusia [6]

B. Three Abbasid dynasty in Daula

At first Abbasid Caliphate Daula use of Kufa as a center of government, with Abu Abbas As-Safah (750-754 AD) as the first Caliph. Then his successor Caliph Abu Jakfar al-Mansur (754-775 AD) moved the center of government to Baghdad. In the city of Baghdad was then to be born of a great empire that will rule the world for more than five centuries. This empire is known as the Abbasid Daula.

In some cases the Abbasid Daula has similarities and differences with the Umayyad Daula. As happened during the Umayyad Daula, for example, Daula Abbasid nobles tend to live in luxury and wealth wallowing. They liked to maintain the serf and his wife pet (haram). Life is more likely to develop a secular life rather than religious values of Islam. But can not be denied in part the Deputy have a high artistic tastes and devout. No exaggeration to say that the Abbasid Daula shift in developing government. So that it can be classified into the Abbasid period Daula five periods in connection with the complexion of government. Meanwhile, according to the origin of the ruler during the Abbasid Daula 508 years experience three times the turn of the ruler. Namely Bani Abbas, Banu Buwaihi, and Bani Seljuq, as mentioned below. This fact indicates that the reign was characterized by palace intrigues and internal power struggles. [7]

a. Bani Abbas (750-932 AD)

1. Caliph Abu Abbas As-Safah (750-754 AD)
2. Jakfar Caliph Abu al-Mansur (754-775 AD)
3. Caliph Al-Mahdi (775-785 AD)
4. Caliph Al-Hadi (785-786 AD)
5. Caliph Harun al-Rashid (786-809 AD)
6. Caliph Al-Amin (809-813 AD)
7. Caliph al-Ma’mun (813-833 AD)
8. Caliph Al-Muktasim (833-842 AD)
9. Caliph Al-Wasiq (842-847 AD)
10. Caliph al-Mutawakkil (847-861 AD)
11. Caliph Al-Muntasir (861-862 AD)
12. Caliph Al-Mustain (862-866 AD)
13. Caliph Al-Muktazz (866-869 AD)
14. Caliph Al-Muhtadi (869-870 AD)
15. Caliph Al-Muktamid (870-892 AD)
16. Caliph Al-Muktadid (892-902 AD)
17. Caliph Al-Muktafi (902-908 AD)
18. Caliph Al-Muktadir (908-932 AD)

b. Bani Buwaihi (932-1075 AD)

19. Caliph Al-Kahir (932-934 AD)
20. Caliph Ar-Radi (934-940 AD)
21. Caliph Al-Mustaqi (940-944 AD)
22. Caliph Al-Muktakfi (944-946 AD)
23. Caliph Al-Mufi (946-974 AD)
24. Caliph Al-Tai (974-991 AD)
25. Caliph al-Kadir (991-1031 AD)
26. Caliph Al-Kasim (1031-1075 AD)

c. Bani Seljuq (1075-1258 AD)

27. Caliph Al-Muqtadi (1075-1084 AD)
28. Caliph Al-Mustazhir (1074-1118 AD)
29. Caliph Al-Mustasid (1118-1135 AD)
30. Caliph al-Rashid (1135-1136 AD)
31. Caliph Al-Mustafi (1136-1160 AD)
32. Caliph Al-Mustanjid (1160-1170 AD)
33. Caliph Al-Mustadi (1170-1180 AD)
34. Caliph an-Nasir (1180-1224 AD)
35. Caliph Az-Zahir (1224-1226 AD)
36. Caliph al-Mustansir (1226-1242 AD)
37. Caliph Al-Muktasim (1242-1258 AD)

C. Daula Abbasid periods in

a. The first period (750-847 AD)

Beginning with an iron hand

As we all know that the founder of the Abbasid Daula was Abu Abbas Al-Safah. At the beginning of his administration to establish the existence of the Abbasid Caliphate Daula, the Abu Abbas adopt policies that quite firmly, that policy was to destroy the family members of the Bani Umayyad daulah, and the use of a secret agent whose function is to monitor the movements and movements of Banu Umayyad descent, if necessary, kill him . Coordinator of the Children removal Umayyad family was handed over to Abdullah, his uncle Abu Abbas. [8]

Cruel treatment was not only to the Umayyad people who are still alive, but also to those who have died, the way out and burn their bodies. While the tomb was not excavated, the tomb of Muawiya bin Abi Sufyan, and ‘Umar bin Abdul Aziz. [9] So that finally led to many rebellions, but the revolts that there can be broken by Abu Abbas. Abu Abbas died after he was replaced by Abu Jakfar al-Mansur (754-775 AD)

Jakfar Abu Mansur al-Daula was the Abbasid Caliph most violent known. But he was the most instrumental in consolidating the Abbasid dynasty to become stronger and stronger, he laid the foundations of the children of the Abbasid government and not-hesitate to take firm action to the parties that interfere with his rule. [10]
To support the move towards the heyday of several important policies adopted by the Al-Mansur moved the capital from Kuffah Baghdad, a lovely town located on the banks of the river Tigris and Euphrates. Meanwhile, improvements are also done in the field of public administration are well organized and supervision of government activities tightened. Officer posts communication and correspondence shall be an institution increased oversight function of the governors. This is done to anticipate the possibility of separatist movements and rebellions. Could not help the symptoms of rebellion was indeed appear everywhere, such as some conquered areas to escape. However, the revolts that there can be broken by Caliph Abu al-Mansur Jakfar. Also one of Al-Mansur policy is to undertake the invasion and expansion of regional power, among others, the Armenian territory, Mesisah, Andalusia and Africa.

If the basics of this Abbasid Daula government has laid and built by Abu Abbas Al-Safah and Jakfar Abu al-Mansur, the golden peak of the dynasty were at seven caliphs after. Since the time of Caliph al-Mahdi (775-785) to the Caliph al-Wasiq (842-847 AD). [11]

Policy shift

This daulah peak popularity at the time of Caliph Harun al-Rashid (786-809 AD) and his son Al-Ma’mun (813-833 AD). Both these authorities put more emphasis on the development of Islamic civilization and culture than the expansion of such areas during the Umayyad Daula. Orientation on the development of civilization and culture into another distinguishing element between the Abbasid and Umayyad dynasty that stressed regional expansion. As a result of measures taken by this, the remote provinces in the suburbs began apart from their grip. [12]

There are two trends that occurred. First, a local leader who led a successful rebellion establish full independence as Umayyad Daula in Andalusia (Spain) and Idrisiyah (Bani Idris) in Morocco. The second way is when someone who was appointed governor by the Caliph manjadi very strong, such as Daula Aglabiah (Bani taglib) in Tunisia and Tahiriyah in Khorasan. [13]

In the days Al-Mahdi, the economy improved. Irrigation was built to double agricultural output than before. Mining and natural resources and increased international trade as well as east and west dipergiat. City of Basra became an important transit port is completely full. [14]

The level of the highest prosperity was in the days of Harun al-Rashid. The period lasted until the time of al-Ma’mun. Al-Ma’mun outstanding in terms of intellectual movements and science by translating books from Greek.

The tendency of people to volunteer as a Muslim militia members to follow the way the war was no longer heard. Army then consisted of Turkish soldiers are professionals. Abbasid army became very strong. As a result, the army became so dominant that the next Caliph was influenced or become their puppets.

In response to the fact that Caliph al-Wasiq (842-847 AD) tried to break away from the domination of the Turkish army to move the capital to Samarra, but that did not work to reduce the dominance of Turkish soldiers.

One important factor is the cause of the Abbasid Daula in the first period of this work is to achieve the golden age of assimilation in this Abbasid Daula. Participation of elements of non-Arabs, especially the Persians, in the development of civilization and the Darul Hikmah Baitul Hikmah established by the Caliph Harun al-Rashid and reached its peak in the Caliph al-Ma’mun.

At that time the libraries seem more like a university than a reading garden. People come to the library to read, write, and discuss. In addition, the library also serves as a center of translation. Recorded the most prominent activity is the medical books, philosophy, mathematics, chemistry, astronomy and natural science. In the subsequent periods of Islamic scholars even able to develop and conduct their own innovations and inventions. Herein lies the Islamic contribution to science and civilization of the world.

Golden Age

Caliphate of Bani Abbas usually associated with the Caliph Harun al-Rashid, who is described as the Caliph of the most famous in the golden age of the Abbasid caliphate. In a ruling described as a very wise Caliph, who is always accompanied by his advisors, Abu Nawas, a poet of funny, actually, is a leading gift or a philosopher of ethics. The golden age described in the 1001 story of the night as a magical land.

Actually, the Abbasid golden age has begun since the replacement of Caliph Abu al-Mansur Jakfar ie during Caliph al-Mahdi (775-785 AD) and reached its peak in the reign of Caliph Harun al-Rashid.

In those days the Caliph to develop various types of arts, especially literature in particular and culture in general. Various quality books translated from Indian and Greek civilizations. Of India for example, successfully translated the books and Dimna Kalilah and fable stories that are anonymous. Various arguments and foundations of mathematics were also obtained from the translation that comes from India. It also translated books from Greek philosophy, especially philosophy of ethics and logic. One result is a growing school of thought that most rely Mu’tazilite ratio and logic skills in the Islamic world. While the translation of Persian literature conducted by Ibn Mukaffa, who died in 750 AD At that time, cultural life and also famous writers such as Abu Tammam (d. 845 AD), Al-Jahiz (died 869 AD), Abu Al-Faraj (d. 967 AD) and several other major writers. [15]

The progress of science not only in the field of literature and art have also evolved, to borrow a phrase Ibn Rushd, Naqli Sciences and Science Aqli. Naqli sciences such as Tafsir, Theology, Hadith, Fiqh, Usul Fiqh and others. And also developing Aqli sciences like Astronomy, Mathematics, Chemistry, Language, History, Natural Science, Geography, Medicine and others. These developments led to major figures in the history of science, the science of language emerged among others Ibn Malik Al-Thai nahwu and author of the most famous Alfiyah Ibn malik, appeared in history the great historian Ibn Khaldun and the great figures that have great influence for the development of further knowledge.

b. The second period (847-945 AD) [16]

Policy Caliph al-Muktasim (833-842 AD) to select the Turkish elements in the army, especially the Abbasid Caliphate dilatar Daula back on by the rivalry between Arab and Persian groups during Al-Ma’mun and earlier. In the Al-Muktasim period (833-842 AD) and Caliph Al-Wasiq later (842-847 AD), they were able to control the elements of these Turkish. However, the Caliph al-Mutawakkil (847-861 AD) which is the beginning of this period was a weak caliphs. At the time the Turks may seize power quickly after Al-Mutawakkil died. They have been selected and raised the Caliph at will. Thus Abbasids no longer have the strength and power, although officially they are rulers. Efforts to release from the domination of Turkey was always a failure. In the year 892 AD, Baghdad back into the Capital. While growing intellectual life.

As a result of internal competition among the Turks, they are starting to weaken. Start the Caliph Ar-Radi handed over power to Muhammad ibn Raiq, Governor of Basra referee. In addition, the Caliph gave him the title of Amir al UMARA (Commander of the commanders). However, the situation Bani Abbas did not get better. Of the twelve caliphs in this period, only four people who died of natural causes, the rest, if not killed, they were overthrown by force.

Rebellion is still emerging in this period, such as the rebellion in the lowlands Zanj southern Iraq and rebellion Karamitah based in Bahrain. But that’s not all that hamper efforts to create political unity Abbasid Daula. Important factors causing the decline of the Bani Abbas at this period is as follows, first, the extent of Abbasid Daula’s territory to be controlled, while the slow communication. Coincided with the levels of trust among the rulers and administrators of government is very low, the second, the professionalization of the army led to their dependence becomes very high. Third, financial difficulties because of the burden of financing a very large army. After declining military power, no longer able to Caliph delivery taxes forces into Baghdad.

c. Third Period (945-1055 AD)

Abbasid Daula position under the authority of the Children Buwaihi is the main characteristic of this third period. Deputy state worse than in the past, the more so because the Children adopted Buwaihi Shia. As a result no better position as Caliph who ruled and employees are paid. Meanwhile Buwaihi Bani has divided its power to the three brothers. Ali controlled the country area of southern Persia, Hasan controlled northern region, and Ahmad Al-controlled territory Ahwaz, Wasit and Baghdad. Thus Baghdad in this period is no longer the center of Islamic government, as has moved to Shiraz in which the ruling that Ali bin Buwaihi Bani Buwaihi power.

In the field of science, Daula Abbasids continued progress in this period. At this time appeared a big thinkers like Al-Farabi (870-950 AD), Ibn Sina (980-1037 AD), Al-Biruni (973-1048 AD), Ibn Misykawaih (930-1030 AD) and study group Ikhwan As-Safa. Economics, agriculture, and trade are also progressing. Progress was also followed by the construction of canals, mosques and hospitals. Is worth noting that the Children Buwaihi during power in Baghdad, has occurred several times the flow of social conflict and ahlu Shi’ite sunnah, and the rebellion army.

d. Fourth Period (1055-1199 AD)

The fourth period was marked by the reign of the Seljuq Bani Abbasid Daula. The presence of this Seljuq Bani is the”invitation”to paralyze the power of the Caliph Buwaihi Bani in Baghdad. Deputy state has started to recover, at least in the field of religious authority is back after a while dominated Shia people.

Just as in the previous period, science was also developed in this period. Nizam al-Mulk, the Prime Minister at the time and Malikshah Arselan Alp, founded Madrasah Nizamiya (1067 AD) and Madrasah Hanafiyah in Baghdad. Islamic Branches Nizamiya established in almost every city in Iraq and Khorasan. Madrasah is a model for universities in the future. Madrasa has produced many scholars in different disciplines. For example who was born in this period was the Az-Zamakhsari, writers in the field of interpretation and proposal ad-dien (Theology), Al-Ghazali in the field of theology and mysticism, and Omar Khayyam in the field of astronomy. In the political field, the center of power is not located in the city of Baghdad. They divide the territory into a province with a governor to head each province. At the time of weakening the power of momentum, each province liberate themselves. Conflicts and wars that happened between them to weaken their own, and sedikrit by little political power back to the Caliph strengthened, especially for the country of Iraq. Their power ended in Iraq in the hands Khawarizmisyah in 1199 AD

e. Fifth Period (1199-1258 AD)

There has been massive changes in the Abbasid Caliphate Daula in this fifth period. In this period, the Abbasid Caliph no longer under a particular dynasty. They were independent and powerful, but only in Baghdad and surrounding areas. The narrowness of the Caliph’s territory showed his political weakness. In this period came the Mongol and Tartar soldiers destroyed Baghdad without resistance in the year 1258 AD

The factors that make the Abbasid Daula became weak and then destroyed can be grouped into two factors namely internal factors and external factors. Among the internal factors are, first, the existence of unfair competition among several nations that accumulate in the Abbasid Daula, especially Arabic, Persian and Turkish. Second, the occurrence of a disagreement between the groups that have religious thought, which grew into bloodshed. Third, the emergence of small dynasties as a result of prolonged social divisions. Fourth, the decline in the level of the economy as a result of political clashes.

While external factors that happened was, first, the war is prolonged cross in several waves. And the most decisive was the second factor is, the invasion of Mongols and Tartars army led by Hulagu Khan, who had looted all the power centers and science centers, the library in Baghdad.

Cruelty The Mongols [17]

Caliph Al-Muktasim, Abbasid Caliph Daula most recently, and all his sons and all the chiefs of Baghdad killed them all by the Mongol army. Most of the city’s population was slaughtered like an animal alone. After that, they rob people of property and deeds mean nothing unspeakable dab ferociously. All the contents of the palace and the treasury of their country taken everything. Palaces and buildings are beautiful, madrassas and mosques damaged their admirable. The books of knowledge are invaluable, they are thrown into the Tigris river, so the black ink faded due. They burned here and there so the fire raged throughout the city. Events cruelty is valid until 40 days. In the earth of Baghdad, no longer visible, apart from the black coal pile smoldering.

Abbasid Daula Gone

With the death of al-Daula Muktasim Abbasid gone from this earth, earth berkubur in Baghdad who had been burned in the ruins of buildings and palaces.

In the fifth century, ie since the Abu Abbas Al-Safah rule in 750 AD until the death of al-Muktasim in 1258 AD, there have been 37 people occupied the throne of Caliph Abbasid Daula.

Last,

Daula Abbasid period was the golden age of Islam, At this time the Muslims have the sovereignty to the top of glory, good fortune, advancement or power. In this era has been born of the Islamic sciences and many important science has been translated into Arabic. Besides the contribution of Muslims to world civilization also produced by the great scholars-scholars who lived in the Abbasid period this Daula. But there are important lessons can we learn from the long journey Daula Abbasid centuries of world domination that is that Muslims do not be lulled by the power of the world, because life keterlenaan and glorify oneself leads us away from the teachings of Allah SWT. It also is the trigger for Muslims to take up again the triumph of Islam that had ever felt at the time of the Abbasid Daula.