# Al-Mutawakkil

> 10th Abbasid caliph (822–861, r. 847–861)

**Wikidata**: [Q220789](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q220789)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mutawakkil)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/al-mutawakkil

## Summary
Al-Mutawakkil was the 10th Abbasid caliph, ruling from 847 to 861. As a central figure in the Islamic Golden Age, he is best known for commissioning the Great Mosque of Samarra, one of the largest mosques in the world, during his reign. His leadership marked significant cultural and architectural developments in the Abbasid Caliphate.

## Biography
- **Born**: March 822  
- **Nationality**: Abbasid Caliphate (modern-day Iraq)  
- **Known for**: Ruling as the 10th Abbasid caliph and commissioning the Great Mosque of Samarra  
- **Employer(s)**: Abbasid Caliphate  
- **Field(s)**: Political and religious leadership  

## Contributions
- **Great Mosque of Samarra** (848): Commissioned during his reign, this mosque became one of the largest in the Islamic world, featuring a distinctive spiral minaret. Its construction highlighted architectural innovation and centralized Abbasid power in Samarra.  

## FAQs
- **Q: What was Al-Mutawakkil’s primary role?**  
  A: He served as the 10th caliph of the Abbasid Caliphate from 847 to 861, overseeing political and religious affairs across the Islamic empire.  

- **Q: What is Al-Mutawakkil best known for?**  
  A: His patronage of the Great Mosque of Samarra, constructed in 848, which remains a landmark of Islamic architecture.  

- **Q: When did Al-Mutawakkil rule?**  
  A: He reigned from 847 until his death in 861, a period marked by cultural flourishing and territorial consolidation.  

## Why They Matter
Al-Mutawakkil’s reign reinforced the Abbasid Caliphate’s cultural and political dominance. His commissioning of the Great Mosque of Samarra exemplified the era’s architectural achievements and centralized governance. Without his patronage, the mosque—a symbol of Islamic unity and innovation—might not have been built, leaving a void in the architectural and religious legacy of the Abbasid era.

## Notable For
- 10th Abbasid caliph, ruling for 14 years (847–861).  
- Founder of the Great Mosque of Samarra (848).  
- Ruled during a peak of Abbasid territorial and cultural influence.  

## Body

### Early Life
Al-Mutawakkil was born in March 822. His full Arabic name, أبو الفضل جعفر المتوكل على الله (Abū al-Faḍl Jaʿfar al-Mutawakkil ʿalā Allāh), reflects his royal lineage within the Abbasid dynasty.  

### Career
- **Reign**: He ascended to the caliphate in 847 after the death of his brother, Al-Wathiq. His rule lasted until his death on December 11, 861.  
- **Architectural Patronage**: The **Great Mosque of Samarra**, inaugurated in 848, was a monumental project that showcased the engineering prowess of the Abbasid era. Its spiral minaret, standing 52 meters tall, became an iconic feature of Islamic architecture.  
- **Political Centralization**: While details of his governance are limited in the source material, his reign saw the consolidation of Abbasid authority in Samarra, which served as the empire’s capital.  

### Legacy
The Great Mosque of Samarra remains a testament to Al-Mutawakkil’s cultural ambitions. Though the mosque suffered damage over centuries, its design influenced subsequent Islamic architecture. His reign underscored the Abbasid Caliphate’s role as a hub of artistic and intellectual achievement, setting precedents for later rulers.  

### Key Data
- **Birth**: +0822-03-00T00:00:00Z  
- **Death**: +0861-12-11T00:00:00Z  
- **Alternate Names**: Al-Mutawakkil ʿalā Allāh, أبو الفضل جعفر المتوكل على الله  
- **Identifiers**: VIAF 121169863, GND 107817201, Library of Congress n2001057918  

Al-Mutawakkil’s life and reign are documented through historical records and artifacts, including the mosque he commissioned, ensuring his legacy as a pivotal figure in Abbasid history.

## References

1. Catalog of the German National Library
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Encyclopædia Britannica
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. Library of Congress Control Number
6. [Source](https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/mutevekkil-alellah-cafer-b-muhammed)
7. HMML Authority File