A Study of Abbasid Mutawakkil’s Religious Policies

The period of Mutawakkil’s caliphate is considered a critical period in the history of Abbasid caliphate due to political and religious incidents occurring then. The religious policy of Mutawakkil’s caliphate was moving along the lines of protecting Sunnism, with traditionalists’ thoughts. He promulgated Sunnism as the sole established religion accepted by caliphate, and suppressed any views and beliefs opposing it. Discussions on religious affairs were forbidden; proselytizing Mutalizism was prevented; Shi’ahs were suppressed; stern orders were issued for scorning Dhemmis and they were dismissed from state posts. The present article seeks to investigate and review Abbasid Mutawakkil’s treatments of religious groups including Shi’ahs, Mu’tazilis, and Dhemmis.