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This particular period of time during the caliphate of the ‘Abbāsids has certain characteristics which set it apart from other periods of time. We will list several of these particularities below:
1- The decline of the greatness and grandeur of the caliphate: The caliphate, whether during the Umayyad period or during the ‘Abbāsid period, possessed a certain grandeur and greatness. Yet during this time, due to the hegemony of the Turks and slaves over the governmental system, this grandeur was destroyed. The government fell in to the hands of certain parties, and the position of the caliphate became more of a ceremonial position, rather than a position of supreme power and command. At the same time, if ever a danger presented itself from their adversaries, the caliphs, their supporters, and the functionaries of the government all worked with one hand to suppress that danger.
2- The pleasure seeking of the court officials: The ‘Abbāsid caliphs of this period, due to the vacuum which existed in the government, engaged in partying at nights, drinking wine, and other forms of pleasure seeking. The palace was fully immersed in corruption and sin. The pages of history have recorded these parties in detail.
3- The prevalence of oppression, injustice, and self seeking policies: oppression, tyranny, and the continuous plunder of the public treasury had taken the people’s emotions to the boiling point.
4- The spread of Alawī movements: During this time period, the ‘Abbāsid government sought to create enmity against the Alawīs in the wider society, and therefore scatter the Alawī forces. Whenever the government felt the smallest potential danger from the Alawīs, it would initiate a disproportionate and merciless response. The reason behind the severity of their actions was that the ‘Abbāsids felt their government to be weak and easily overturned, in spite of their widespread programs of control over the society. Therefore, they were greatly in fear of these Alawī movements.[1]
1- The decline of the greatness and grandeur of the caliphate: The caliphate, whether during the Umayyad period or during the ‘Abbāsid period, possessed a certain grandeur and greatness. Yet during this time, due to the hegemony of the Turks and slaves over the governmental system, this grandeur was destroyed. The government fell in to the hands of certain parties, and the position of the caliphate became more of a ceremonial position, rather than a position of supreme power and command. At the same time, if ever a danger presented itself from their adversaries, the caliphs, their supporters, and the functionaries of the government all worked with one hand to suppress that danger.
2- The pleasure seeking of the court officials: The ‘Abbāsid caliphs of this period, due to the vacuum which existed in the government, engaged in partying at nights, drinking wine, and other forms of pleasure seeking. The palace was fully immersed in corruption and sin. The pages of history have recorded these parties in detail.
3- The prevalence of oppression, injustice, and self seeking policies: oppression, tyranny, and the continuous plunder of the public treasury had taken the people’s emotions to the boiling point.
4- The spread of Alawī movements: During this time period, the ‘Abbāsid government sought to create enmity against the Alawīs in the wider society, and therefore scatter the Alawī forces. Whenever the government felt the smallest potential danger from the Alawīs, it would initiate a disproportionate and merciless response. The reason behind the severity of their actions was that the ‘Abbāsids felt their government to be weak and easily overturned, in spite of their widespread programs of control over the society. Therefore, they were greatly in fear of these Alawī movements.[1]
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