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al-Mahdi
Arabic:
muhammadu bni 'al-mansīri 'al-mahdīy
(?-785) Caliph of Islam 775-785, belonging to the Abbasid Dynasty.
al-Mahdi's reign was peaceful and prosperous. He got close assistance from the viziers of the Barmakid family to achieve this. New administration for the army and taxation were founded. The law system was reformed to utilise the same codex for all citizens, irrespective their religion.
al-Mahdi was much involved in religious reform, where he challenged some groups of syncretic Muslims who had incorporated other belief systems and deities into their understanding of Islam.
During his days, Baghdad blossomed, and became the largest and richest city in the world outside China.
Biography
Around 730?: Born as son of al-Mansur, who would become the second Abbasid caliph.
775: al-Mansur dies on his way to Mecca to perform hajj, and al-Mahdi is proclaimed new caliph.
785: Dies, and is succeeded by his son al-Hadi.
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By: Tore Kjeilen
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