The Caliphate of Islam reached a degree of greatness in all its phases. He was firm, just, and wise, a patron of virtue and excellence. We have many accounts of his noble character, spoken of by the common people and the elite. His reign made the Caliphate a renowned name. When we say that such and such a thing happened during the reign of a Caliph, we mean it happened during the reign of Harun al-Rashid.

It is related that he had a friendship and loyalty with the King of France at that time, and that he sent him many things. Among the treasures of the East was a large clock inscribed with Kufic script.

The Caliphate of Al-Amin.

On the day of Harun al-Rashid's death, his son Muhammad al-Amin succeeded him. As for Al-Ma'mun, his father had, before his death, bestowed upon him all his personal belongings and weapons, and appointed him governor of Khurasan, along with men and resources to rule it independently of his brother Al-Amin. Al-Amin, however, did not fulfill his father's will regarding them and did not give him anything that belonged to him. It is said that all this was due to the machinations of Al-Fadl ibn Yahya. This caused a rift between the brothers, and Al-Amin harbored the most intense hatred. He sent for the two documents that Rashid had made there, concerning the allegiance of Al-Amin and Al-Ma'mun, but Al-Fadl burned them and made Musa ibn Al-Abbas the heir apparent. This closed the door to reconciliation between the brothers. Al-Amin was engrossed in pleasures and drinking, and even sent to the lands of the East in search of singers. He brought them to him and provided them with provisions. He secluded himself from his brothers and kin, and presented wealth and jewels to his close associates, eunuchs, and women. He built five ships on the Tigris, shaped like a lion, an elephant, an eagle, a serpent, and a horse. He spent a great deal of money on them. Abu Nuwas mentioned this in his poetry, saying: "Al-Amin has made the Tigris his steed, While the master of the mihrab has no steed. When he rides, he is pleased, He sails on the water, a lion of the jungle. People are amazed when they see him, As if they saw him on an eagle. He splits the waves with his beak and claws."

As for Al-Ma'mun, he was vigilant and seized the opportunity. He called for allegiance to him in Khurasan, and a large party rallied around him, calling for his support, seeing in him wisdom and noble character. Then Al-Ma'mun gathered his forces and sought the help of his allies. He was joined by Huraythah ibn Al-A'yan, who was the governor of Misr before...