Caliph: Muhtadi Billah

Abu Ishaq Muhammed ibn al-Watiq (died 870), better known by his regnal name al-Muhtadi billah (المهتدي بالله‎‎, "Guided by God") was the Abbasid Caliph in Baghdad from 869 to 870, during the "Anarchy at Samarra". Al-Muhtadi's mother was Qurb, a Greek slave. After the death of al-Mu'tazz, the Turks chose his cousin, al-Muhtadi as the new Caliph. Al-Muhtadi turned out to be firm and virtuous compared to the last few Caliphs. If he had come earlier, he might have restored life to the Caliphate; however, by now the Turks held more power. Under him, the Court soon saw a transformation. Singing girls and musicians were expelled; justice was done daily in open court; wine and games were prohibited. He set Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, the Umayyad Caliph, as his model and exemplar. His reign, however, lasted less than a year. After some disagreements and conspiracies, he was killed by the Turks in June 870; he was thirty-eight then. The early Arab writers praise his justice and piety; and had he not been killed so soon, he could have been placed among the best of Abbasid Caliphs.

User Settings

Topic Activity
  • 1

    Topic Question

  • 3.7k

    Total Questions

0 Answered and 1Unanswered.


What we provide!

Vote Content

Great answers start with great insights. Content becomes intriguing when it is voted up or down - ensuring the best answers are always at the top.

Multiple Perspectives

Questions are answered by people with a deep interest in the subject. People from around the world review questions, post answers and add comments.

An authoritative community

Be part of and influence the most important global discussion that is defining our generation and generations to come

Join Now !

Update chat message

Message

Delete chat message

Are you sure you want to delete this message?

...