Timeline of 9th-century Muslim history facts for kids

The 9th century, from 801 to 900 CE, was a very important time in Muslim history. It saw the rise and fall of powerful leaders, major wars, and the growth of new states. The Abbasid Caliphate, based in Baghdad, was a huge empire, but it also faced many challenges and changes during this period.

A Century of Change (801–900 CE)

This century was a time of big events, from important agreements to major wars and the start of new dynasties.

Early 800s: Power Struggles and New Leaders

• 801: The famous Muslim saint and mystic, Rābiʿa al-ʿAdawiyya al-Qaysiyya, passed away. She was known for her deep spiritual wisdom.
• 802: The Abbasid Caliph Harun al-Rashid made an important plan in Mecca. He decided who would rule after him. His oldest son, al-Amin, was named the first heir. His second son, Abdallah al-Ma'mun, was named the next heir and given control of the Khurasan region. A third son, al-Qasim, was also included in the plan.
• 803: The powerful Barmakids family lost their influence in the Abbasid court. This was a big political change.
• 805: A revolt started in Khurasan, led by Rafi ibn al-Layth.
• 806: Caliph Harun al-Rashid led a huge army against the Byzantines.
• 809: Caliph Harun al-Rashid died. His son, al-Amin, became the new Caliph.
• 810: Muhammad al-Taqi, who would become the 9th Shia Imam, was born.

The Abbasid Civil War (811–813)

A major conflict broke out between Caliph al-Amin and his brother al-Ma'mun. This was a fight for control of the Abbasid Empire.

• 811: The Abbasid Civil War began with the Battle of Ray (811) in Persia.
• 812: The Siege of Baghdad started in August. This was a long and difficult battle for the capital city.
• 813: In September, the Siege of Baghdad ended. Al-Ma'mun's forces captured the city, and al-Amin died. al-Ma'mun became the new Caliph.
• 813: Tahir ibn Husayn was made Governor of Mosul by the new Caliph al-Ma'mun.

Mid-800s: New Challenges and Changes

• 815: A revolt by the Zaydi group, led by Abu'l-Saraya, happened in Iraq.
• 816: A Shi'a revolt took place in Mecca. In al-Andalus (Muslim Spain), the Umayyads captured the island of Corsica.
• 818: Ali al-Rida, the 8th Shia Imam, died. Muhammad al-Taqi became the new Imam. The Umayyads of Spain also captured the islands of Ibiza, Majorca, and Sardinia.
• 820: Tahir ibn Husayn was appointed Governor of Khorasan by Caliph al-Ma'mun. His son, Abdallah ibn Tahir, became Governor of Syria.
• 822: al-Hakam I, the ruler of Spain, died. Abd ar-Rahman II became the new ruler.
• 825: The Emirate of Crete was established, marking Muslim rule on the island of Crete.
• 827: Ali al-Hadi, who would become the 10th Shia Imam, was born. Caliph Ma'mun declared the Mu'tazili belief as the official state religion. The Muslim conquest of Sicily also began.
• 833: Caliph Ma'mun died on August 9th. al-Mu'tasim became the new Caliph.
• 835: Muhammad al-Taqi died. Ali al-Hadi became the new Imam.
• 836: Caliph al-Mu'tasim moved the capital city of the Abbasid Caliphate to Samarra.
• 838: A major revolt led by Babak Khorramdin in Azarbaijan was stopped. Caliph al-Mu'tasim also led the Sack of Amorium, a successful attack on a Byzantine city.
• 839: Muslims took control of parts of Southern Italy and captured the city of Messina in Sicily.
• 842: Caliph al-Mu'tasim died on January 5th. al-Wathiq became the new Caliph.
• 847: Caliph Wathiq died. al-Mutawakkil became the new Caliph.
• 850: Caliph al-Mutawakkil brought back more traditional religious practices.
• 852: Abd ar-Rahman II of Spain died. Muhammad I became the new ruler.
• 856: There was an exchange of prisoners between the Abbasid Caliphate and the Byzantine Empire.
• 858: Caliph al-Mutawakkil founded a new town called Jafariya.

Late 800s: Fragmentation and New Dynasties

The Abbasid Empire started to break into smaller, independent states, though they still respected the Caliph.

• 861: Caliph al-Mutawakkil was assassinated. This led to a period of instability known as the "Anarchy at Samarra". al-Muntasir became Caliph.
• 862: Caliph al-Muntasir died. al-Musta'in became Caliph.
• 863: The Battle of Lalakaon weakened the power of the emirate of Malatya, and the Byzantine Empire began to fight back more strongly.
• 864: A Zaydi state was established in Tabaristan.
• 866: Another Abbasid Civil War occurred. Al-Musta'in fled, and al-Mu'tazz became Caliph. A new independent kingdom was also established in Yamamah.
• 867: Ya'qub ibn al-Layth al-Saffar founded the Saffarid rule in Sistan. This was the start of a new powerful dynasty.
• 868: Ali al-Hadi died. Hasan al-Askari became the new Imam. Muhammad al-Mahdi, the last Imam of shiite Islam, was born. Ahmad ibn Tulun founded the Tulunid rule in Egypt, creating another independent state.
• 869: Caliph Mu'tazz was forced to step down and died. al-Muhtadi became Caliph. The Zanj Rebellion began in Basra, a major uprising of enslaved people.
• 870: The Abbasid Empire continued to break apart. New independent dynasties like the Samanids, Saffarids, Tulunids, and Sajids emerged.
• 871: The city of Bari was captured, ending the Emirate of Bari in Italy.
• 874: Hasan al-Askari died. Muhammad al-Mahdi became the new Imam. The Zanj rebels established their own state at al-Muktara.
• 876: The Battle of Dayr al-'Aqul took place near the River Tigris. Abbasid forces stopped a Saffarid army that was trying to capture Baghdad.
• 877: Ya'qub ibn al-Layth al-Saffar died. Amr bin Layth became the new Saffarid ruler.
• 878: The city of Syracuse in Sicily fell to the Muslims after a long siege.
• 879: The Abbasid Caliphate focused its efforts on stopping the Zanj Rebellion in Mesopotamia. This was a turning point in the war.
• 883: The long and difficult Zanj Rebellion finally ended.
• 885: Ahmad ibn Tulun of Egypt died. His son, Khumarawayh ibn Ahmad ibn Tulun, became the new ruler.
• 886: Muhammad I, the Umayyad ruler of Spain, died. al-Mundhir became the new ruler.
• 888: Mundhir of Spain died. Abdullah ibn Muhammad al-Umawi became the new Umayyad ruler.
• 891: The Qarmatian state was established in Bahrain.
• 892: Abbasid Caliph al-Mu'tamid died. al-Mu'tadid became the new Caliph. The Samanid ruler Nasr also died, and Ismail I took over.
• 893: A Zaydi Imamate was established in Yemen.
• 898: The Qarmatians attacked and looted the city of Basra. By the end of this century, the global Muslim population had grown significantly.

See also

• Timeline of Muslim history