The Chaliphate - Muir - The Search For Mecca

A.D. Sr3-33] ARRIVES AT r.AGDAn 501
cried Al-Ma'mun ;
" is it thou, Ibrahim?" He appealed for
mercy
; and it was granted, for it was the time of the
bridal ceremony with Buran, and she made intercession
for him. Ibrahim celebrated the royal clemency in a
poem which is much admired. On its being recited before
him, Al-Ma'mun was greatly pleased, and exclaimed in the
words of Joseph to his brethren:— "There shall be no
reproach on you this day; God forgiveth you: He is the
most merciful of the merciful ones " ^
!
his birth ; and he was carried an object of ridicule in A.H. 198-
woman's attire to the court of the CaHph, "
!
Ikavo "
l"^
While the Capital was being recalled to its allegiance, Ma'mun
Al-Ma'mun advanced slowly, halting as he journeyed to secure o"^^?
complete restoration of order before his entry. At Jurjan ii. 204 a.h.
he remained a month, and a week at Xahrawan, whither the
•^"g^^'-
o 1 9 A . 1 1.
members of the royal house, captains, and chiefs of state
came out to bid him welcome
;
and Tahir also, by invitation,
from Ar-Rakka. So advancing, he entered Bagdad early
in 204 A.H. The edict still held for green, and so the
people at the first dressed accordingly. Al-Ma'mun, however,
having invited his Court to make known their requests, the
first favour preferred by 'Fahir was that black might be
reverted to. The Caliph graciously acceded, and bestowed
dresses of honour in that colour upon his Courtiers. Indeed,
the advent of .\1-Ma'mun, after the long rebellion, was
conspicuous for the total absence of retaliatory measures.
i\l-Fadl ibn ar-Rabl', in hiding ever since .\1-Amln's death,
and 'Tsa, Wazir of Ibrahim, who had both thrown all their
influence into the opposite cause, were now readmitted
to favour. The whole attitude of Al-Ma'mun was, on this
occasion, generous and forgiving.
Tahir was appointed governor of Bagdad, and his son r.ihir
'Abdallah, equallv distinguished, left to succeed him at m
y,'