The Chaliphate - Muir - The Search For Mecca

CHAPTER LXV
AL-AMIN AT BAGDAD; AL-MA'.MCN
AT MKKV
193-198 A.H. 808-813 A.D,
Ix his unwise division of the kingdom, Harun left a fatal Breach
legacy that was not long in bearing bitter fruit. Al-Amin, .\^,n)nTnd
as occupying Bagdad, the seat of empire, had the advantage Ma'mun,
of Al-Ma'mun. In anticipation of his father's end, he had gog a'.d*
deputed an agent to the camp at Tus, with letters to be
kept hid until the event. Immediately on Harun's death,
the\- were produced. In one Al-Ma'mun, then at Merv,
was bidden to have oaths of allegiance sworn to both the
brothers, in accordance with their father's will. But a
second, in direct contravention of that will, ordered the
army with its munitions of war, to return at once to Bagdad.
On hearing of this, Al-Ma'mun sent messengers from Merv
to expostulate against this violent breach of distinct
conditions to which all had taken solemn oath ; but the
troops were already well on their way, hurrying too gladly
homewards to heed the appeal. On their return to Bagdad,
Al-Amin signalised his accession by distributing a )-ear's
pay to the army, which he had thus against his father's
covenant stolen away from Al-Ma'mun.
The relations between the brothers were thus from Ma'mfin's
the first strained. Al-Ma'mun, guided by an able adviser, ;',.."io",'Vn
a converted Zoroastrian, Al-Fadl ibn Sahl, temporised, the Hust.
This man, as a recent Persian convert and protdgt^ of
the Barmekids, was well fitted to secure a stable and
popular rule throughout the East for Al-Ma'mun, who
wasL now its rightful Sovereign. Under his guidance all
classes were conciliated, both the Arabs settled tribally
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