2018-08-14 Tue

The Abbasids were the third and one of the longest and most important Caliphates of the Islamic history. They are descended of Muhammad's uncle, Al-Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib, from whom the dynasty takes its name. They ruled as caliphs for most of their reign from their capital in Baghdad in modern-day Iraq.

Al-Radi billah was the 20th Abbasid Caliph in Baghdad from 934 to 940AH. Al-Radi was commonly spoken of as the last of the real Caliphs: the last to deliver orations at the Friday service, to hold assemblies to discuss with philosophers and discuss the questions of the day, or to take counsel on the affairs of State; the last to distribute largess among the needy, or to interpose to temper the severity of cruel officers.

The above donative dirham was issued in his reign from Madinal al-Salam mint in 329 AH. The obverse of a coin depicts the legend ‘La Ilaha Illallah Wahdahu La Sharika Lah’ in a centre. The reverse of a coin inscribed with ‘Lah Muhammadur Rasulullah Al Radi Billah’.

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