2019-12-26 Thu

Al Muhtadi Billah was the Caliph of the Abbasid Caliphate reigning from 869 to 870. He elected as the new caliph on 21/22 July by the Turkish guard, after the deposition and murder of his cousin Al Mutazz.

As a ruler, Al Mahtadi wanted to imitate the Umayyad caliph Umar Ibn Abd Aziz, widely considered a model Islamic ruler. He, therefore, lived an austere and pious life. He was interested indirect rule by the caliph, he often sat over mazalim sessions, sessions in which the caliph himself heard and responded directly to petitions.

Despite his short-lived career, Al Mutadi is remembered for his attempts to reform the caliphate, to place faithfulness, justice, and morality at the centre of his court.

The above shown silver Dirham was issued during his reign from Wasit mint in 225 AH. The reverse of a coin depicted the ‘Lillah Muhammad Rasul Allah al-Muhtadi Billah’.

Image Source: wikimedia.org