Al-Hadi Facts for Kids

Al-Hadi (born Abu Muhammad Musa ibn al-Mahdi al-Hadi) was the fourth Abbasid ruler. He became caliph after his father, Al-Mahdi, and ruled for a short time from 785 CE to 786 CE. His time as caliph saw some challenges and disagreements, especially with his powerful mother.

Biography
Caliphate
Family
Succession
See also

Biography

Al-Hadi was the oldest son of Al-Mahdi and Al-Khayzuran. He was also the older brother of Harun al-Rashid. His father loved him very much. When Al-Hadi was 16, his father made him the first in line to become caliph. He was also chosen to lead the army.

Before his father Al-Mahdi died, there were thoughts that Al-Mahdi might want Harun al-Rashid to be the next caliph instead. Harun had joined his father on military trips to learn how to rule. However, Al-Mahdi died before any official changes were made.

When Al-Mahdi passed away in 785, Al-Hadi became caliph at 25 years old. He was the youngest Abbasid caliph at that time. His brother Harun al-Rashid became the next in line to the throne at 22. This made Al-Hadi feel unsure. He spent most of his rule trying to remove Harun as the next caliph. He wanted his own 7-year-old son, Ja'far, to take Harun's place. Since Ja'far was so young, it was not a common or wise choice. Al-Hadi tried to pressure Harun to give up his position. Because of this, Harun left the capital city. He did not return until Al-Hadi's rule ended.

Al-Hadi was seen as a fair ruler by many people. He continued the good changes made by earlier Abbasid caliphs. Like his father, he was open to his people. Citizens could visit him in his palace in Baghdad to talk about their concerns. He was known for being strong and brave. He was also good at governing and was generous.

However, Al-Hadi was also known for being very strict. He continued some of his father's tough policies. He put down a rebellion by a group called the Kharijites. He also fought back an invasion from the Byzantine Empire. His armies even managed to take some land from them.

Al-Hadi also had disagreements with the Sayyids and the Shia. These were descendants of the Umayyad caliphate. He placed more rules on them. He stopped giving them money that Al-Mahdi had provided. This was because he worried about a possible uprising. He ordered his agents to watch their activities closely. They even had spies among them. They had to report their presence to local authorities every day.

In 786, some of these groups in Hijaz started an uprising. It was led by Ali ibn Husayn. They took control of Medina. They freed prisoners and put Abbasid agents in jail. They made the Masjid al-Nabi their main base. Then, they went to Makkah. The people of Makkah did not let them in. They had to face Al-Hadi's army in the Fakh valley. Ali ibn Husayn and his followers were defeated there. This event became well-known. Ali ibn Husayn became known as Shahid Fakhkh, meaning "the martyr of Fakhkh." However, Ali ibn Husayn's cousin, Idris bin Abdallah, managed to escape to Morocco. He was helped by Wadih, an Egyptian postal manager. In Morocco, Idris later started the Idrisi state.

After the Fakh event, Al-Hadi accused Imam al-Kazim of encouraging the rebels. Imam al-Kazim was a supporter of Al-Hadi's brother. Al-Hadi arrested the Imam. He planned to punish him, but Al-Hadi died before he could do so.

There were also problems within the royal family. Al-Khayzuran, Al-Hadi's mother, wanted to stay involved in politics. She had been very powerful during Al-Mahdi's rule. She continued to meet with people and discuss government matters. She made decisions without asking Al-Hadi. Al-Hadi, however, did not want her to be involved in state affairs. He tried to keep her out of politics. He reportedly told her that women should not interfere in matters of ruling. He told her to focus on her prayers instead.

Al-Hadi felt strongly about his mother's public role. He gathered his generals and asked them: "Who is better among us, you or me?" asked Caliph al-Hadi. "Obviously you are better, Commander of the Faithful," they replied. "And whose mother is better, mine or yours?" Al-Hadi continued. "Your mother is better, Commander of the Faithful." "Who among you," Al-Hadi went on, "would like to have men spreading news about your mother?" "No one likes to have his mother talked about," responded those present. "Then why do men go to my mother to speak to her?"

Al-Hadi moved his capital city from Baghdad to Haditha shortly before he died.

Al-Hadi died in Baghdad in 786. He was 26 years old. He had ruled for only about one year and two months. His brother, Harun Al-Rashid, led his funeral prayer. Al-Hadi was buried in 'Isa Abad. Historians have different ideas about how he died. Some say he had an illness, while others suggest different reasons. His death allowed his brother Harun al-Rashid to become caliph.

Caliphate

Al-Hadi's short time as caliph had many military challenges. A rebellion led by Husayn ibn Ali ibn Hasan started when Husayn declared himself caliph in Medina. Al-Hadi quickly put down this rebellion. Husayn and many of his followers were defeated. However, Idris bin Abdallah, a cousin of Husayn, escaped. He was helped by Wadih, an Egyptian postal manager. Idris reached Morocco and later founded the Idrisi state in 788. Al-Hadi also stopped a Kharijite rebellion. He also fought back an invasion from the Byzantines. The Abbasid armies even took some land from them.

Family

Al-Hadi had two wives. One was Lubabah, the daughter of Ja'far. Ja'far was the son of Caliph Al-Mansur. His second wife was Ubaidah, daughter of Ghitrif. She was also the niece of Al-Khayzuran.

He also had several concubines. One was Amat al-Aziz, who was his favorite. She gave birth to his two oldest sons. After Al-Hadi died, Harun Al-Rashid married her. Another concubine was Rahim, who was the mother of his son, Ja'far. His other sons were Al-Abbas, Abdullah, Ishaq, Isma'il, Sulayman, and Musa.

Al-Hadi had two daughters. One was Umm Isa, who married Caliph Al-Ma'mun. The other was Umm al-Abbas, who was called Nunah. All his children were born from concubines. His sons, Isma'il and Ja'far, married Harun al-Rashid's daughters, Hamdunah and Fatimah.

Succession

Al-Hadi was followed by his younger brother, Harun al-Rashid. When Harun became caliph, he led the Friday prayer in Baghdad's Great Mosque. Then, he met with officials and ordinary people. They all lined up to promise their loyalty and show their happiness. Harun began his rule by choosing very skilled ministers. They managed the government so well that they greatly improved life for the people.

Al-Hadi facts for kids

Contents

Biography

Caliphate

Family

Succession

See also